The average normal consumer is buying Macs or some 700 dollar laptop. Even with the high end, you're talking about more like a 20-30% increase in total cost which is marginal at already low relative prices PCs are.
None of this is "unaffordable" as you say as it is just a month's worth of savings.
storage from $40 to $100, memory 16GB DDR4 from $67 to $190, 32GB DDR4 from $72 to $263, in the last six months. I other currencies the amount it from higher to much higher.
Average low-end technology at prices of extra mega top tier technology.
You are saying people will buy, and smile without resistance saving months to pay those abusive prices for low-end tech, even knowing this is because four or five companies are hoarding the market. Take for sure people is really tired/sick of this, check the forums.
China, are you reading this? You should study this along the months. Then you can make your own conclusions.
Good try. We are talking about a window of X years were the average normal consumer, average people, will not be able to buy tech, and should not buy tech, due the prices will put average low-end technology at prices of extra mega top tier technology, anything with a CPU or disk or memory. The consumer will notice the abuse and will avoid to fall if possible (Even now, right now, the prices are excessive, people should avoid buying under the current terms, too late, it is better to wait).
This pause were the tech supply is not destined to the average consumer is the perfect window for China to take Taiwan if they plan the strategy well.
And it is not needed even to predict, Chinese government just need to follow/observe the prices and discomfort, and if the pattern follows, it is the moment. The average consumer even will aim them.