The company attributes these hikes to a global RAM shortage, which has quietly raised costs across the consumer electronics sector. RAM acts as a device’s short-term memory, allowing your streaming stick to multitask without freezing or stuttering. Many shoppers weigh their options between buying a new streaming stick or investing in a streaming service subscription at that price point. For those already using Roku devices, there’s no immediate effect — your current hardware remains unchanged. Community Reactions“The entry-level stick going from $30 to $40 is the one that’s going to hurt the most.