AI-Driven Memory Chip Shortage Prompts Apple to Increase MacBook Prices by $150
As the AI-driven global memory chip shortage continues to impact the tech industry, consumers are faced with rising prices for laptops and smartphones. Apple, one of the most prominent tech brands, has increased prices across its MacBook and iPad lineup. The entry-level MacBook Neo now starts at $949, marking a significant increase of $150. This price hike comes as a result of Apple’s inability to absorb the escalating costs of hardware components.
In a statement, Apple described the current situation as an “unprecedented challenge” for the consumer electronics industry. The company stated, “We have never seen a component price increase this much, this quickly.” The main cause of this issue is the AI industry’s insatiable demand for high-bandwidth memory (HBM), which is primarily used in data center GPU chips. Major tech companies like Microsoft, Google, Meta, and Amazon are consuming the majority of the supply, causing the world’s top three memory manufacturers — Samsung, SK Hynix, and Micron — to shift their production capacity away from consumer chips.
The consequences of this shift are severe. Gartner analyst Ranjit Atwal predicts that the skyrocketing memory costs will reduce global PC shipments by 10.4% and smartphone shipments by 8.4% in 2026. Additionally, PC prices are expected to rise by 17% and smartphone prices by 13% compared to 2025 levels. The shortage is not expected to ease until the end of 2027. Along with its MacBook and iPad lineup, Apple has also increased prices for its HomePod smart speakers and Apple TV. Other companies, including Sony, Nintendo, Valve, and Microsoft, have announced similar price hikes for their gaming hardware.
Source: CBC News — Apple and Microsoft hike prices as AI crunches global memory chip supply