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Why USB Storage Costs Are Rising | Photo, Slide & Video Scanning UK – Mr Scan

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Why Are RAM and USB Sticks So Expensive Right Now?

And What It Means for Your Scanning Order at Mr Scan

USB stick digital storage Mr Scan UK

If you have noticed the price of USB sticks, SD cards, and RAM increasing in the UK, you are not alone. At Mr Scan, we have seen a significant rise in storage costs, which directly affects services like 35mm slide scanning, negative scanning, photo scanning, and video tape conversion.

Why Are USB Sticks and RAM So Expensive in 2026?

Global Supply and Demand Issues

Memory chips used in USB drives, SSDs and RAM are produced in limited facilities worldwide. Increased demand combined with reduced supply has driven prices higher.

AI and Data Centre Demand

Large tech companies are purchasing huge quantities of memory for AI and cloud infrastructure, pushing prices up across the market.

Higher Quality Storage Costs More

At Mr Scan, we prioritise reliability over cheap storage. Your scanned photos, slides and videos deserve safe, high-quality media.

How This Affects Photo and Video Scanning Services

All scanned files from services such as slide scanning, negative scanning and video transfer must be delivered digitally.

USB storage used to be cheap — now it is a noticeable part of the overall cost, especially for large orders.

How Mr Scan Keeps Prices Down

  • We absorb as much cost increase as possible
  • We keep scanning prices competitive
  • We offer flexible delivery options
Our goal is to keep your digitisation affordable without compromising quality.

Best Ways to Save Money on Your Order

Use Digital Download

Cloud download is the most cost-effective option for most orders:

  • No USB cost
  • Fast delivery
  • Works on all devices

Supply Your Own USB or Hard Drive

You are welcome to provide your own storage device to avoid additional costs.

Use USB for Large Video Files

Video files can be large (around 4GB per hour), so USB or hard drives are often best for large projects.

Important: Always Back Up Your Files

Always create a backup of your data as soon as you receive it.

USB sticks and hard drives are not permanent storage solutions.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why are USB sticks so expensive now?

Prices have increased due to global chip shortages, higher demand from AI and tech companies, and increased manufacturing costs.

Is it cheaper to choose download instead of USB?

Yes. Digital download removes the cost of physical storage media and is the most cost-effective option for most orders.

Can I send my own USB stick?

Yes, customers are welcome to supply their own USB sticks or hard drives to save money.

Why are video files better on USB?

Video files are large and can be difficult to download, so USB or hard drives are more practical for large video orders.

Final Thoughts

Rising storage costs are affecting everyone, but at Mr Scan we continue to offer flexible, affordable solutions for photo, slide and video scanning across the UK.

Mr Scan – Trusted UK Scanning Services


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