The MacBook Neo now starts at $699, while the MacBook Air and Pro see significant jumps to $1,299 and $1,999 respectively. Desktop users face a $500 increase for the Mac Studio, now priced at $2,499. Across the tablet range, the iPad Air has climbed to $749, the Pro to $1,199, and entry-level models have seen increases of up to $150. Apple's smart home ecosystem is also affected, with the HomePod, HomePod Mini, and Apple TV all seeing price hikes, alongside the Vision Pro, which now retails for $3,699.
In section Startups & Technology
Apple Increases Prices Across Mac and iPad Lines Due to Memory Shortage
A surging demand for AI infrastructure is forcing Apple to raise prices across its Mac, iPad, and smart home portfolios. Driven by a global memory and storage shortage, the company has begun passing these costs to consumers, though the flagship iPhone lineup remains temporarily shielded from the immediate hikes.
Apple attributed the adjustments to an unprecedented spike in component costs, noting that the rapid buildout of AI data centers has created a bottleneck for memory and storage supplies. Research firm Counterpoint reported that DRAM and NAND Flash prices surged by 50% and 90% respectively in the first quarter of 2026. According to Tarun Pathak, Research Director at Counterpoint, the fourfold increase in memory costs since late 2025 has eroded profit margins across the industry, making price hikes for OEMs virtually inevitable.
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