Local artist and former Laura Ashley designer and historian Brian Jones popped in for some A3 poster prints, with a beautiful piece of history, a 1959 Pryce Jones Catalogue.
Preserving a Piece of Newtown’s History
Brian generously allowed me to reproduce several pages from this valuable local historical artefact he possesses, which I’m excited to share with you.
A Legacy of Textile Innovation in Newtown
With centuries of textile and manufacturing heritage in Newtown, combined with the extensive local knowledge accumulated over generations by residents of Montgomeryshire and Powys, Brian exemplifies the legacy of the once-prominent local businesses.
These pioneers were instrumental in creating the world’s first mail-order catalogue and inventing the sleeping bag, among many other innovations.
Need a print shop? Pop in to see us at Frolic House ( between Newtown Medical Practice and Driving Test Centre )| Call 01686 610 106 | Message 0783 222 7823 | We’d love to work on some poster prints with you too!
Apple has largely been insulated from the RAM price crisis — until now. Long-term DRAM agreements expire in early 2026, meaning new MacBooks, iPhones, and iPads could become more expensive. This post explains why and what to expect.
If you’re planning an Apple device purchase next year, it’s worth understanding how the memory market may affect pricing.
You’re reading the RAM & Storage Mini-Series. Jump straight to any part:
Apple’s Safety Net May Be Ending
For years, Apple has negotiated long-term RAM & Storage deals with Samsung and SK Hynix. These agreements have shielded the company from the price spikes affecting the rest of the market.
Apple’s long-term contracts will expire in January 2026. The company will need to negotiate new agreements, which will likely cost more, and it could pass those higher costs on to consumers — especially for upcoming devices like the next MacBook Air, MacBook Pro, iPhone, and new iPads.
Why Current Devices Might Be Safe
Apple often builds up significant stockpiles of components months in advance. That means devices already on sale may not be affected by the upcoming price increases.
The real impact will likely hit new 2026 launches rather than current inventory.
How Apple Might Respond
Apple has a few strategies to manage rising RAM & Storage costs:
Absorb costs using in-house chips and cash reserves
Pass some of the cost onto consumers, raising device prices
Reduce RAM & Storage in base models to manage margins
Which path Apple chooses will influence prices across the tech market next year and set expectations for other manufacturers.
Our Advice
If you’re considering an Apple upgrade in 2026, timing could save you money. Devices currently available are probably fine, but new launches may carry a higher price tag due to RAM & Storage costs.
We can help you plan your purchase wisely, whether it’s a MacBook, iPhone, or iPad — avoiding overpaying while still getting the right specifications for your needs.
For more computer services, pop in to see us at Frolic House ( between Newtown Medical Practice and Newtown Driving Test Centre )| Call 01686 610 106 | Message 0783 222 7823
Rising RAM prices aren’t just affecting laptops and phones — PC gaming hardware is also feeling the pinch. Launches like Valve’s Steam Machine and the long-awaited Half-Life 3 could be delayed, while prices for gaming PCs may rise in 2026.
If you’re a gamer, these shortages could directly affect what you pay and when you get your hands on new hardware.
You’re reading the RAM & Storage Mini-Series. Jump straight to any part:
Why Gaming Hardware Is Especially Vulnerable
Unlike consoles, which have fixed components and can absorb costs, gaming PCs rely on standard consumer RAM. When memory prices spike:
Hardware costs increase
Launch timelines slip
Manufacturers may downgrade specs
PC makers can’t subsidise hardware as consoles do, which makes gamers one of the first groups to feel the impact of a RAM shortage.
The Steam Machine & Half-Life 3 Situation
Reports suggest Valve is struggling to finalise pricing for the Steam Machine due to the RAM crisis. Without stable component costs, the launch timeline has been pushed back.
Half-Life 3, widely expected as a launch title for the Steam Machine, is now also affected. Without knowing hardware pricing, Valve appears to be delaying key announcements and release plans.
Gamers may have to wait longer than expected for both the device and the game — possibly months — as the company waits for RAM prices to stabilise.
What This Means for Consumers
For those planning gaming PC upgrades or new purchases:
Launch prices for gaming PCs could be higher than expected
Delays in hardware and game releases may occur
Refurbished or slightly older hardware could be the better value option
Understanding these market pressures can help you plan your purchases without overpaying or being caught out by delays.
Our Advice
If you’re not in a rush, waiting until RAM prices stabilise may save you a lot. For urgent upgrades, focus on specifications carefully — particularly RAM. which is one of the easiest components to upgrade later.
As always, we’re here to talk through your options, whether that’s planning a purchase, timing an upgrade, or looking at refurbished alternatives.
For more computer services, pop in to see us at Frolic House ( between Newtown Medical Practice and Newtown Driving Test Centre )| Call 01686 610 106 | Message 0783 222 7823
Samsung has sharply increased the contract price of its RAM, with some DDR5 prices jumping close to five times their previous levels. Because Samsung is one of the world’s biggest memory manufacturers, this affects laptops, phones, tablets, and PCs heading into 2026 — even from brands that don’t carry the Samsung name.
If you’ve been following the RAM & Storage price story, this is the point where things get very real.
While shortages and rising costs have been bubbling under the surface for a while, Samsung’s latest move is one of the clearest signals yet that higher prices are locked in — at least for the near future.
You’re reading the RAM & Storage Mini-Series. Jump straight to any part:
What Has Samsung Actually Done?
Samsung has raised the contract price of its consumer RAM significantly, including both modern DDR5 and last gen DDR4 memory. Earlier last year, DDR5 RAM was trading at a relatively modest level. Now, reports suggest those prices have surged dramatically in a very short space of time.
Contract pricing is what large manufacturers pay when they buy memory in bulk. Companies like Dell, HP, Lenovo, Apple, and countless others rely on these agreements to build laptops, phones, and tablets at scale.
When contract prices rise, consumer prices follow. There’s no buffer large enough to absorb increases of this magnitude.
Why Samsung’s Decisions Carry So Much Weight
Samsung isn’t just another supplier. It’s also one of the three dominant global DRAM manufacturers, alongside SK Hynix and Micron.
At the same time Samsung is raising prices, the other major players are shifting even more of their production toward AI and data centre memory. That leaves device manufacturers with very few alternatives.
When one of the biggest suppliers raises prices and everyone else is already constrained, the market has nowhere to go but up.
This isn’t competition pushing prices down. It’s scarcity pushing them higher.
What This Means for Laptops, Phones, and Tablets
The impact won’t always be obvious at first glance.
Some devices will simply become more expensive. Others may hold the same price, but quietly ship with less memory than expected. Configurations that once felt “standard” may start to look premium again.
We’re already seeing signs that higher RAM & Storage capacities are being reserved for more expensive models, while mid-range devices stay stuck at lower specs for longer than they should.
For consumers, that means paying more for the same experience, or paying the same price for less performance.
Why Older RAM Isn’t Safe Either
One of the more worrying parts of this shift is that older DDR4 memory is also being affected.
Normally, older standards soften price rises. This time, they’re being pulled up alongside newer technology. That removes the usual safety net manufacturers rely on to keep budget devices affordable.
In plain terms, there’s no cheap fallback option anymore.
What Happens Next?
Unless something changes quickly, the effects of Samsung’s pricing will ripple through 2026 product launches.
Laptop and phone makers are already planning around these higher costs. Some will raise prices. Others will reduce specifications. A few may delay releases while they wait to see if the market stabilises.
From our perspective, this feels less like a temporary wobble and more like a reset of expectations around memory pricing.
Our Advice Right Now
If you’re planning a device upgrade and don’t urgently need the latest hardware, patience could pay off. Waiting gives the market time to adjust, and it also opens up better value in refurbished or clearance stock.
If you do need to buy soon, it’s worth choosing specifications carefully. RAM is one of the easiest things to upgrade later, in PC’s & laptops, but phones & tablets are not usually expandible later.
If you’d like a second opinion before making a purchase, please don’t hesitate to contact us. We’re always happy to help you make sense of the options.
For more computer services, pop in to see us at Frolic House ( between Newtown Medical Practice and Newtown Driving Test Centre )| Call 01686 610 106 | Message 0783 222 7823
RAM and SSD prices have surged dramatically in a very short space of time. AI and data centre demand are soaking up global supply, pushing costs onto everyday tech like laptops, phones, consoles, and tablets. This post explains what’s happening, why it matters, and whether prices are likely to come back down.
If you’ve noticed tech quietly getting more expensive lately, you’re not imagining it.
Over the past few weeks, the price of RAM and storage has skyrocketed. Laptops, games consoles, phones, tablets — almost anything with a chip inside — is being affected in one way or another. Some manufacturers are already warning of price rises, while others are quietly changing specifications to keep costs under control.
A lot is happening behind the scenes, and it’s not being explained very clearly. So let’s break it down in plain English.
You’re reading the RAM & Storage Mini-Series. Jump straight to any part:
The RAM & Storage Memory Crisis: What’s Actually Happening?
In short, demand has exploded while supply has tightened.
Global memory manufacturers are diverting huge portions of their production away from consumer RAM and SSDs, and towards specialised memory used in AI systems and data centres. This includes High Bandwidth Memory, which is essential for running large AI models.
The result is a sudden shortage of the standard RAM and storage used in everyday devices. Prices have responded exactly how you’d expect.
In some cases, RAM pricing has increased by several hundred percent in a matter of weeks. SSD prices have risen sharply too, with manufacturers warning that further increases are likely if supply doesn’t improve.
This isn’t just a PC problem. Memory and storage are foundational components. When their prices jump, everything else follows.
Why AI Is Driving the Shortage
AI isn’t just software — it’s hardware-hungry.
Training and running modern AI systems requires enormous amounts of fast memory. To meet that demand, companies like Samsung, SK Hynix, and Micron are prioritising AI-focused memory production over consumer-grade components.
That means fewer RAM chips for laptops, desktops, phones, consoles, and tablets. Large companies are now competing for a shrinking pool of supply, and smaller manufacturers are being priced out entirely.
Once stock becomes scarce, prices rise fast. And that cost doesn’t stay at factory level — it moves straight down the chain.
How This Affects You (Probably More Than You Think)
Memory and storage exist in almost every modern device. Not just computers and phones, but cars, appliances, smart home tech, network equipment — even things you’d never normally think about.
When the price of something this fundamental jumps by 300, 400, or even 500 percent, no manufacturer can absorb it. The money has to come from somewhere.
That usually means higher prices, lower specifications, or a combination of both. Devices that once came with generous amounts of RAM may now ship with the bare minimum. Upgrades that used to be affordable suddenly aren’t.
In other words, everything quietly gets worse value.
When Will RAM & SSD Prices Come Back Down?
That’s the big question — and the honest answer is that nobody knows for certain.
Memory markets are cyclical. When demand surges, manufacturers rush to meet it. If that demand later cools, the market can swing the other way very quickly.
If investment in AI starts to slow, data centre expansion pauses, or expected returns fail to materialise, demand for memory could drop sharply. At that point, warehouses fill up, prices fall, and the whole cycle reverses.
If that happens, today’s shortage could turn into tomorrow’s oversupply.
Our Take at Bluesdigital
We’ve seen this pattern before. Every major tech boom creates pressure on supply, and that pressure is often amplified by speculation and short-term profit chasing.
Eventually, though, high prices hurt sales. When consumers stop upgrading, manufacturers are forced to respond. Production ramps up, new suppliers enter the market, and pricing stabilises.
For now, our advice is simple: don’t rush upgrades unless you really need to. If you can wait, waiting may save you a lot of money. Refurbished tech is also a solid option while the market settles.
If you’re unsure whether now is the right time to upgrade, or you want honest advice rather than sales pressure, just get in touch. We’re always happy to talk it through.
For more computer services, pop in to see us at Frolic House ( between Newtown Medical Practice and Newtown Driving Test Centre )| Call 01686 610 106 | Message 0783 222 7823
🚨 Step 1: The “Save My Work” Trick (Try this first!)
Before you force the power off and lose what you’re working on, try this “secret” Windows handshake. It resets your graphics driver without closing your programs:
Press Windows+Ctrl+Shift+B all at once.
Your screen will flicker and you’ll hear a beep.
The Result: If it was a display glitch, your laptop will “wake up” instantly. Save your work immediately!
If the keyboard shortcut didn’t help and the screen is still unresponsive, you’ll need to perform a hard reset:
This may look different for your laptop
Hold the Power Button: Press and keep it held down firmly.
Count to 15: Do not let go until the screen goes completely black and the fans stop.
Restart: Wait about 30 seconds to let the hardware “rest,” then press the power button normally to turn it back on.
Still having trouble? If your laptop freezes again the moment you start working, it might be a sign of a deeper issue. Give us a shout for a professional check-up 01686 610 106 | 0783 222 7823
Hello!
If you’ve just used the steps above—take a deep breath. We know how stressful it is when your technology locks up in the middle of a busy day. Whether you’re a student, a local business owner, or just browsing at home in Newtown, a frozen computer is a huge frustration.
Now that you’re back up and running, let’s look at why this happens and how to stop it from becoming a habit.
Why does my laptop keep freezing?
Think of your laptop like a busy motorway. Sometimes, there is just too much traffic for the “brain” (the CPU) to handle, and everything grinds to a halt. Common causes include:
Overloaded Memory: Having too many high-power apps or browser tabs open at once.
Hidden Updates: Windows might be trying to install a large update in the background.
Dust & Heat: If your laptop feels hot, dust inside the fans might be causing the system to “throttle” and freeze to prevent damage.
When should I be worried?
A one-off freeze isn’t usually a disaster. However, if you are holding down that power button every few days, your laptop is trying to tell you something is wrong.
At Bluesdigital, we specialise in computer services and getting to the root of the problem. We are experts in:
System Speed-ups: Cleaning out software “junk” that slows you down.
Internal Health Checks: Checking your hard drive and RAM for errors.
Cooling Service: Cleaning out dust and improving airflow to stop overheating.
Microsoft Office, Google Docs (offline), Adobe apps, etc., all have auto-save options. Turn them on.
Even if the laptop locks up, most recent changes are already saved.
Use Task Manager Shortcuts
If you notice your laptop starting to freeze or become unresponsive, try Ctrl+Shift+Esc to open Task Manager.
Sometimes you can kill the offending program before a full freeze happens, saving the rest of your work.
Quick Backup Hack
Keep a cloud folder (OneDrive, Google Drive, Dropbox) syncing your important files.
Even if Step 2 (hard shutdown) becomes necessary, your files are backed up automatically.
Lighten the Load
Close heavy programs you aren’t using, especially browsers with lots of tabs.
A laptop struggling with memory often freezes; reducing active apps helps prevent it.
Keep Drivers & Windows Updated
Many freezes come from old graphics drivers or OS bugs.
A little maintenance goes a long way.
Visit Bluesdigital in Newtown
Don’t wait for the next “big freeze” to lose your important files. Bring your laptop into our Newtown shop, and we’ll ensure it’s as fast and reliable as it should be.
For more computer services, pop in to see us at Frolic House ( between Newtown Medical Practice and Newtown Driving Test Centre )| Call 01686 610 106 | Message 0783 222 7823
This week, an Instagram security breach was discovered when hackers stole the sensitive information of 17.5 million Instagram accounts. Complete with usernames, physical addresses, phone numbers, email addresses, and more, this data can be abused by cybercriminals to impersonate trusted brands, trick users, and steal their passwords.
Critically, this data is already being offered on the dark web, with individual users also receiving legitimate password reset notifications from Instagram.
What to do:
Beware of emails and messages that claim to come from Instagram, as they could be sent by malicious hackers trying to trick you into handing over your password.
If you’re concerned, sign into your Instagram account and reset your password to a new, strong, unique password.
Check if you were exposed With a free scan from Malwarebytes’ Digital Footprint Portal, you can see if you were included in the Instagram breach. Simply enter the email address you used to register with Instagram and the free Digital Footprint scan will report your level of exposure online.
We’ve had snow drifting 3 meters+ around here overnight with all the crazy wind, so be careful out there folks & wrap up warm! Give us a call or message if you need any help. 0783 222 7823 | 01686 610 106 | shop@bluesdigital.com
When your computer starts acting up — whether it’s the dreaded blue screen of death, a painful slowdown, or a virus that won’t go away — the first thing you feel is stress. The second thing? Worry about paying for a repair that might not even be possible.
We’ve all heard the stories: being charged a diagnostic fee just to be told the computer is a lost cause. At Bluesdigital, we don’t think that’s how a local business should treat its neighbours. That’s why we’ve built our reputation on a simple promise:
You’ll find us right in the heart of Newtown on Frolic Street, next to the Newtown Medical Centre and just a few doors across from the Driving Test Centre. Whether you’re popping in on purpose or passing through town, we’re perfectly placed for an easy drop-off.
What “No Fix, No Fee” Means for You
It means exactly what it says. If you bring your device to us and we can’t resolve the software issue, fix the system fault, or get your hardware running properly again, you don’t owe us a penny.
We leave cracked phone and laptop screens to others — instead, we focus on the brains of your machine:
Performance boosts – Turning a “slow” PC into a fast, usable one
Virus & malware removal – Cleaning infections and securing your data
System crashes – Fixing boot loops, freezes, and software conflicts
Hardware upgrades – SSDs and RAM installs to breathe new life into older machines
Why Bluesdigital Does It Differently
Honesty in Powys Newtown is a close-knit community, and we value our neighbours’ trust. We don’t charge for a repair that doesn’t work — it’s as simple as that.
Confidence in our skills We offer No Fix, No Fee because we know our stuff. From deep-level system repairs to custom websites and high-quality printing, we take pride in delivering real results.
Risk-free tech support We want local residents and small businesses to feel comfortable asking for help early — without worrying about hidden costs or wasted money.
Frequently Asked Questions About Our No Fix, No Fee Service
What counts as a “fix”?
A fix means we’ve successfully resolved the specific fault you reported when you dropped off your device. Whether that’s getting a slow PC running properly again, removing a stubborn virus, or solving a software conflict, if the original problem is sorted, the repair counts as a success.
Is there really no charge if my computer can’t be repaired?
Yes — really. If we find your system is beyond economical repair, or we’re unable to resolve the software issue, you won’t be charged for our time. We believe you should only pay for results, not bad news.
Do you repair cracked laptop screens?
YES, we can replace cracked or broken laptop screens. We also specialise in system-level support, including performance optimisation, virus and malware removal, data recovery, and hardware upgrades such as SSDs and RAM.
Do I need an appointment to drop off my PC on Frolic Street?
No appointment needed — just pop in when it suits you. If you’d like to phone, message, or book ahead to let us know you’re on the way, you’re more than welcome to, but it’s not essential.
Does “No Fix, No Fee” apply to business clients?
Yes, it does. We offer the same risk-free guarantee to local Newtown businesses and home-office users. If we can’t get your work machine back up and running, there’s no service fee.
Get Your PC Fixed – No Fix No Fee Computer Repair in Newtown We’re right next to the Driving Test Centre on Frolic Street. Phone: 01686 610106 | 0783 222 7823 Shop Hours: 9.30 am – 5.30 pm Monday – Friday | Message outside of these hours and we will be ready for your visit.
