Apple raises prices on all MacBooks and iPads amid memory chip squeeze

Apple has raised prices across its MacBook and iPad lineups, with increases ranging roughly from 15% to 25%. Examples include a basic iPad with 128GB now starting at $449, up from $349; an iPad Air 128GB at $749, up from $599; an iPad Pro 256GB at $1,199, up from $999.

MacBook prices rose as well: a MacBook Air with 512GB now starts at $1,299, up from $1,099; a MacBook Pro with 1TB at $1,999, up from $1,699; and a MacBook Neo with 256GB now starts at $699, up from $599. Apple blamed tight supplies and higher costs in the memory market, saying the rapid expansion of AI data centers has created an extraordinary surge in demand for memory and storage.

The firm noted manufacturers have shifted resources toward enterprise components, leaving less for consumer products, and added it had reached a point where it needed to begin raising prices. "Unfortunately, price increases are unavoidable," CEO Tim Cook told The Wall Street Journal, saying Apple has been trying to shield customers but the situation had become unsustainable.

apple, macbook, ipad, ipad pro, macbook air, macbook pro, price hikes, memory chips, memory market, tim cook