Micron is making a significant strategic change: it will shut down its entire Crucial consumer memory and SSD business as it pivots to meet the exploding demand for AI-focused chips. The decision comes as global supplies of DRAM, NAND, and high-bandwidth memory (HBM) remain extremely tight, with AI data centers consuming record levels of memory per system.
Micron confirmed it will stop selling Crucial-branded products by February 2026, ending nearly three decades of consumer-focused RAM and SSDs. Until then, shipments will continue through retailers and distributors, and all existing Crucial products will retain full warranty and support.
Why Micron Leaves Consumer Hardware
The shift reflects a broader industry trend: AI infrastructure now consumes nearly every advanced memory wafer that advanced memory wafer manufacturers can produce. According to Micron, every unit of DRAM or NAND allocated to consumer products now directly reduces supply for hyperscalers, cloud providers, and enterprise customers, segments where demand is surging, and margins are significantly higher.
Micron’s leadership highlighted several key factors:
- AI data centers need vastly more memory, driving unprecedented demand for HBM and server-grade DRAM.
- Consumer SSDs and RAM offer the lowest margins and face intense price competition.
- Enterprise products provide long-term contracts and stable pricing, making them strategically more valuable.
- Maintaining a minor consumer division still requires global logistics, development, testing, and warranty operations, costs that no longer scale.
As Chief Business Officer, Sumit Sadana put it, “AI-driven growth in the data center has led to a surge in demand for memory and storage. Micron has made the difficult decision to exit the Crucial consumer business to support our larger, strategic customers.”
What Happens Next
Micron will reallocate manufacturing capacity to:
- High-bandwidth memory (HBM4/HBM4E) for AI accelerators
- Enterprise SSDs and controller technology
- Server-grade DRAM and high-density modules
HBM has become one of the hottest components in the AI supply chain. Micron reported nearly $2 billion in HBM revenue in a single quarter, putting it on track for an $8 billion annual run rate.
The company also noted that it will seek to reassign Crucial employees internally rather than eliminate positions.
The End Of An Era
Crucial has been part of Micron since 1996 and became one of the most recognized consumer memory brands worldwide. Known for reliability and accessible pricing, Crucial RAM and SSDs were staples for PC builders for nearly 30 years.
Now, Micron believes the next decade belongs to AI computing, and every wafer counts.
The decision marks the end of consumer Crucial products, but also the beginning of Micron’s most aggressive push yet into the AI hardware race.
