Apple raises MacBook and iPad prices as memory costs surge

Apple has raised U.S. prices for a range of MacBook and iPad models, including the MacBook Neo that debuted just four months ago at $599. The entry‑level laptop now starts at $699, and certain MacBook Pro variants have seen a $300 hike.

The price jump on the MacBook Neo is likely to draw the most scrutiny. Launched in March as a budget‑friendly alternative for students and those weighing Windows PCs or Chromebooks, the device features an A18 Pro chip and initially beat Dell’s $699 XPS 13 by $100. After the hike, both laptops now share the same starting price.

The M5‑powered MacBook Air has also shed the launch discount. The 13‑inch model, which originally shipped with 512 GB for $1,099, is now listed starting at $1,299. Meanwhile, the 14‑inch MacBook Pro equipped with an M5 and 1 TB of storage has risen from $1,699 to $1,999.

Apple has extended its recent pricing strategy to the iPad lineup, adjusting the entry price of the latest M4 iPad Air. While the 11‑inch model now opens at $749—up from the $599 launch price of its predecessor—the 13‑inch variant has climbed to $949, a $150 increase over the original $799 starting point.

Even more pronounced are the hikes for the iPad Pro series. The new 11‑inch M5 Pro now begins at $1,199, a $200 jump from the $999 base price, and the 13‑inch version has been bumped to $1,499 from $1,299. Both configurations retain a 256 GB storage baseline.

Apple attributes the price increases to the steep rise in DRAM and NAND flash prices—critical components that supply system memory and internal storage. The company told Reuters that it had initially attempted to shield consumers from these cost pressures but ultimately could no longer absorb the expense.

“We have never seen a component price increase this much, this quickly,” Apple remarked, underscoring the unprecedented nature of the supply‑chain inflation.

Apple’s chief executive, Tim Cook, has already signaled that the company will face rising component costs. He explained that Apple’s current inventory of parts has mitigated the immediate impact, yet the escalating price of memory chips is poised to bite deeper after the June quarter.

The mounting pressure stems from the rapid expansion of AI data centers, which demand vast amounts of high‑performance memory. Manufacturers are reallocating production capacity toward these lucrative server products, leaving personal‑device makers scrambling for the dwindling supply.

Apple has yet to clarify whether the recent price adjustments are a one‑off measure or the beginning of a sustained trend, leaving investors and consumers uncertain about future cost trajectories.

These developments reveal that even Apple’s formidable purchasing power cannot fully shield its consumer devices from the ripple effects of an AI‑driven memory shortage.