Apple, Microsoft Hike Prices as AI Drives Memory Chip Shortage
Apple said memory and storage chip costs driven by AI demand forced the increases, with some Mac and iPad models rising by $100 to $300.
- On Thursday, June 25, 2026, Apple CEO Tim Cook announced price increases across Mac and iPad lineups, citing an "extraordinary surge" in memory and storage costs driven by AI datacenter demand.
- Industry experts dubbed the supply crisis "RAMageddon," as memory prices surged up to 98% in the first quarter of 2026 due to extreme demand from AI datacenter construction.
- The starting price of the MacBook Air rose to $1,299 and the MacBook Pro to $1,999, prompting Apple stock to fall nearly 6% on Thursday following the announcement.
- Separately, Microsoft announced worldwide Xbox console price increases effective August 1, 2026, reporting that memory and storage chip costs have surged by a factor of 2.5.
- Incoming CEO John Ternus assumes his role September 1, 2026, just before the iPhone launch, as analysts warn of potential price hikes on Apple's flagship device later this year.
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Apple increases prices for Macs and iPads, blaming a shortage of memory chips - WXXV News 25
By BARBARA ORTUTAY Apple on Thursday announced an increase in prices for Macs and iPads, citing a memory chip shortage brought on by the artificial intelligence boom. The Cupertino, California-based company called the demand spike an “unprecedented challenge” for the consumer electronics industry. “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 in…
Laptop Prices Are Never Coming Back Down After Apple (AAPL) Move, And Memory Makers Are To Blame
Laptop prices have crossed a threshold from which consumers should not expect a return, with RAM costs reshaping the economics of personal computing for years ahead. Apple (NASDAQ: AAPL) has recently raised MacBook Pro prices, and the $2,000 entry point for a capable MacBook is now considered the new baseline rather than a premium outlier. The price increases are not isolated to Apple, as laptop makers across the industry are quietly signaling t…
Apple raises prices as AI boom drives up chip costs
Apple Inc., the giant multinational technology company, has just increased the prices of many of its products. The company, which blames soaring memory and storage chip costs, says that the latest price increases are unavoidable. According to industry experts, AI data-center demand is driving the component price surge. According to Apple, it can no longer shield its customers from the price increases. The MacBook Neo rose from $599 to $699 (16.7…
Apple and Microsoft raise prices due to chip shortages - the crisis could last until 2028 - BloombergApple and Microsoft have raised prices on iPads, Macs and Xbox due to a global shortage of memory chips. The head of Micron stated that improvement of the situation is possible no earlier than 2028.
Apple raises prices as AI chip costs surge
Apple has started charging more for some of its products, and AI is one of the big reasons why. The increases apply to select iPads and MacBooks, along with HomePod speakers and Apple TV devices. Apple's own store pages now show higher prices on several models than earlier launch materials listed. The iPhone was not included in this round, but analysts warn that may not last.Apple says it can no longer fully shield customers from soaring memory …
SCIENCE & TECH: Apple hikes MacBook, iPad prices by as much as $500 due to memory chip shortage – here are the products getting hit
Apple on Thursday slapped shocking price hikes on a range of its MacBook, iPad and home devices – raising prices by as much as $500 as it blamed an AI-driven surge in demand for memory chips. Apple’s website briefly went down Thursday morning, then came back online with stunning 15% to 25% price hikes hitting its laptops, tablets, speakers and headsets. The Cupertino, Calif.-based company raised the prices of all of its MacBook and iPad models, …
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