Core Insights - The surge in demand for AI-related hardware is leading to a significant increase in the procurement of solid-state drives (SSDs), particularly QLC NAND SSDs, by AI companies, which may result in rising prices for consumer-grade SSDs [1][3] - The demand for NAND flash memory has escalated, with companies like SanDisk raising contract prices for NAND flash chips by 20% for November 2025, indicating a supply shortage [1][3] - The delivery cycle for mechanical hard drives has extended to two years, prompting AI companies and data centers to shift towards SSDs to meet their storage needs [3] Summary by Sections - **AI Companies and SSD Demand** - AI companies are increasingly purchasing QLC NAND SSDs due to the long wait times for mechanical hard drives, which can take up to two years for delivery [3] - The demand for QLC NAND SSDs is expected to rise significantly, potentially surpassing TLC NAND sales by 2027 [3] - **Impact on Consumer-Grade SSDs** - The heightened demand for enterprise-level QLC SSDs may lead manufacturers to allocate more production capacity to these drives, resulting in reduced supply and increased prices for consumer-grade TLC SSDs [3] - Currently, SSD prices have not surged as dramatically as DRAM prices, which have increased by over 50% in recent weeks [3] - **Broader Implications for Hardware Prices** - The AI boom is anticipated to affect prices across various components, including CPUs, memory, and high-speed networks, suggesting that consumer hardware prices may continue to rise over the next few years [4]