Arguably top-of-the-line points of recent consoles is the flexibility to extend its storage capability, either via a MicroSD card, an HDD or, more recently, an SSD. In other words, there’s an especially slim likelihood you will ever run out of storage. More storage equals more gaming, and really is there anything higher?
Doubtful.
That said, it seems that we’re headed toward a MicroSD shortage, and for those who have not already upgraded your Nintendo Switch or Switch 2’s storage capability, it is advisable to do it ASAP.
AI Really Is Taking The Fun Out Of Every part, Is not It?
As first spotted by Nintendo Life, via a brand new report from Tom’s Hardware, MicroSD cards, specifically high-capacity MicroSD cards, are actually the most recent form of storage to search out itself a part of AI-led shortages.
“The larger versions of the favored series keep running out of stock,” Technohouse Toei, a pc store in Tokyo said. “This might drag on for some time.”
This relatively recent phenomenon appears to be mostly affecting anything above 512GB, though things could quickly change. Relating to the Switch 2, the dearth of availability of normal MicroSD cards could push people towards the brand new and improved “Express” number of cards, making things loads harder for consumers who need to expand their Switch 2’s memory.
Those cards, that are compatible with the Switch 2, have already been the topic of some well-documented price increases, with a 1TB “Express” card often retailing for $200 or as near it as possible. Things don’t stop there, though, as Tom’s Hardware further notes that Japanese storefronts are finding themselves running low on HDDs. Whatever is left on shelves has been subject to cost hikes, too.
“It looks like large-capacity models are getting sucked up for AI use, so we do not get any stock in any respect,” a shopkeeper said. “Everyone knows what is going on on, so even when the value goes up, the drives sell out immediately… and the cycle repeats.”
Someway, MicroSD cards aren’t the one price increase that gamers could find themselves experiencing, as ongoing RAM shortages could soon force Microsoft to once more increase the value of its Xbox Series line of consoles, because it had did not account for an AI-led shortage. Alternatively, Microsoft could simply stop production and let its console stock further erode.
Normally, I’m not one for hoarding things, especially tech-related things, but when constructing a PC is something you want to do in the longer term, then getting some RAM now while the value is comparatively OK might be a wise bet. Same thing with getting a MicroSD card or “Express” version if expanding your Switch or Switch 2 is within the cards. AI is not going anywhere anytime soon, and things figure to only get far more pricey.