Apple Inc. Increases MacBook & iPad Prices Due to AI Memory Crisis Impact
In an unprecedented move, Apple Inc. raised prices across its entire Mac and iPad lineup on Thursday, June 26, 2026. This decision was driven by a historic shortage of memory and storage chips, a consequence of the explosive growth of AI data centers. The company’s online store briefly went dark before relaunching with the new prices, leaving consumers and investors in shock.
New Pricing Details
The entry-level MacBook Neo now starts at $699 (up from $599), while the 13-inch MacBook Air has jumped to $1,299 (up from $1,099). The MacBook Pro 14-inch now begins at $1,999 (up from $1,699).
iPad models also saw increases: the base iPad rose to $449 (from $349), the iPad Mini to $599 (up $100), and the 11-inch iPad Air now starts at $749, up from $599. Even the Apple TV jumped to $199 from $129. Price increases ranged from $30 on a HomePod mini to $1,300 on a high-end Mac Studio.
Apple’s Statement
“The rapid expansion of AI data centers has created an extraordinary surge in demand for memory and storage. We have never seen a component price increase this much, this quickly.”
According to research firm TrendForce, conventional DRAM prices jumped around 90% in early 2026 and are set to climb another 58–63% next quarter. Analysts at Evercore noted the increases were +17% to +25% across core Mac/iPad base models. Apple shares closed down 6.15% on the news, wiping out approximately $265 billion in market value. The iPhone, Apple Watch, and AirPods were spared — for now.
Source: CNBC – Apple posts worst day in over a year after MacBook and iPad price hikes