Apple on Thursday raised prices for several Mac and iPad models, attributing the increases to a global shortage of memory chips driven by surging demand from the artificial intelligence (AI) industry.
The Cupertino, California-based technology giant described the supply crunch as an “unprecedented challenge” for the consumer electronics sector, saying the rapid expansion of AI data centres has sharply increased demand for memory and storage components.
“We have never seen a component price increase this much, this quickly,” Apple said in a statement, adding that it had absorbed rising component costs for as long as possible before deciding to increase prices.
Under the revised pricing, the entry-level MacBook Neo now costs $699, up from $599, while the 512GB MacBook Air has risen to $1,299 from $1,099. The 1TB MacBook Pro is now priced at $1,999, compared with its previous $1,699.
Among iPads, the 128GB iPad Air now costs $749, up from $599, while the 256GB iPad Pro WiFi has increased to $1,199 from $999.
Industry analysts expect Apple to raise iPhone prices later this year. IDC analyst Nabila Popal said the latest increases exceeded expectations and suggested iPhone Pro and Pro Max models could see price hikes of up to $200.
Apple shares fell $13.29, or 4.5%, to $279.88 in Thursday afternoon trading.
