Important RetroBeast Availability Update

Why Smaller RetroBeast Drives and Complete PCs Are Temporarily Unavailable

The cost of computer storage and PC hardware has increased dramatically.

Because of these increases, it no longer makes sense to sell smaller RetroBeast drives or complete gaming PCs at prices that would be fair to customers.

Once the cost of the drive, shipping, taxes, preparation, configuration, testing, service, and customer support are included, the final price becomes unreasonable.

Rather than charge customers too much for smaller systems, I have decided to temporarily stop selling them until hardware prices return to more acceptable levels.

Why Not Replace the 2TB Version With a 1TB SSD?

A common question is:

Why not sell a 1TB SSD instead of a 2TB SSD?

Unfortunately, even that would not solve the problem.

A 1TB external SSD today can cost approximately 35% more than a 2TB external SSD cost last year.

Customers would receive half the storage while paying considerably more.

That is not the value I want RetroBeast customers to receive.

External Drive Price Comparison

The following prices represent approximate Canadian retail-market pricing between 2025 and August 2026.

Drive TypeTypical 2025 Price2026 PriceEstimated Increase

1TB External SSD$120–$160 CAD$260–$390 CAD+115% to +145%

2TB External SSD$200–$280 CAD$500–$780 CAD+150% to +180%

4TB External SSD$275–$450 CAD$700–$1,150 CAD+155% to +180%

24TB External HDD$390–$600 CAD$900–$1,150 CAD+90% to +170%

A Real-World Example

One of the clearest examples is the 24TB Seagate external hard drive.

• Approximate 2025 price: $389.99 CAD

• Approximate 2026 price: $1,149.99 CAD

• Approximate increase: 179%

Prices can be even higher when normal inventory is unavailable and third-party marketplace sellers control the listings.

When Could Drive Prices Become Acceptable Again?

Unfortunately, storage prices are unlikely to return to truly reasonable levels during 2026.

The following timeframes are estimates based on current market conditions.

Drive TypeAcceptable Canadian PriceEstimated Timeframe

1TB External SSD$120–$160 CADLate 2027 to early 2028

2TB External SSD$200–$280 CADEarly to mid-2028

4TB External SSD$350–$500 CADMid-to-late 2028

24TB External HDD$450–$650 CADLate 2028 to 2029

These estimates may change depending on manufacturing capacity, inventory availability, demand, tariffs, shipping costs, and the Canadian dollar.

Why Complete RetroBeast PCs Are Also Unavailable

Storage is not the only part of the computer market affected.

GPUs, memory, SSDs, hard drives, and many other PC components have also increased significantly in price.

PC Hardware Price Report: 2025 vs. August 2026

Hardware CategoryEstimated IncreaseCurrent Market Situation

Complete Desktop PC+15% to +25%Expensive

High-End Gaming PC+30% to +50%Extremely expensive

NVIDIA GPU+20% to +105%Severe shortage

AMD GPU+10% to +35%Expensive

DDR5 RAM+200% to +350%Extremely expensive

DDR4 RAM+80% to +200%Expensive

External SSD+115% to +180%Extremely expensive

Internal NVMe SSD+100% to +250%Extremely expensive

High-Capacity HDD+45% to +170%Severe shortage

Consumer CPU+5% to +20%Moderate increase

Motherboard+5% to +15%Moderate increase

Power Supply+6% to +15%Moderate increase

CPU Cooler+6% to +15%Moderate increase

Selling a complete RetroBeast PC in the current market would require charging customers considerably more while leaving very little profit after configuration, testing, support, and shipping.

I do not want to sell overpriced systems simply to keep them listed on the website.

RetroBeast has always been about providing a complete, high-quality system with strong value.

The RetroBeast 24TB Is Not Going Anywhere

The main RetroBeast 24TB will continue to be developed, updated, supported, and sold.

The 24TB version is my main project, my passion, and my Baby Beast.

I will continue to:

• Develop and improve the RetroBeast 24TB

• Release new system and customization updates

• Add new features and compatibility improvements

• Support existing RetroBeast customers

• Sell the 24TB and 144TB versions

• Offer free shipping

• Charge no additional taxes beyond the displayed price

Hardware costs are higher and profit is lower, but development of the main RetroBeast platform will continue.

Support for Existing 1TB, 2TB, 4TB, and 16TB Systems

RetroBeast will continue supporting customers who already own the following versions:

• RetroBeast 1TB

• RetroBeast 2TB

• RetroBeast 4TB

• RetroBeast 16TB

These versions have reached their complete and stable state.

The available storage space has been fully utilized, the systems are configured and working, and there is no meaningful room to add additional content without removing or replacing existing content.

For this reason:

• The smaller versions are no longer available for purchase

• Major content updates for these versions are complete

• Existing customers will continue receiving technical support

• Compatibility and essential fixes will still be provided when required

The smaller RetroBeast systems are complete—not abandoned.

Will the Smaller RetroBeast Versions Return?

Possibly.

When storage and PC hardware prices return to reasonable levels, I will review the market and consider offering smaller RetroBeast versions again.

I will not bring them back until I can provide customers with the quality, storage capacity, service, and value that they expect from RetroBeast.

Thank You for Supporting RetroBeast

Thank you to everyone who has supported RetroBeast over the years.

Your support allows me to continue developing the 24TB and 144TB systems, improving compatibility, creating new customization features, and supporting the RetroBeast community.

The Beast continues.