Memory Crisis Pushes Up Apple MacBook and iPad Prices.
Apple has raised prices across its Mac, iPad, home device, and Vision Pro lineup, citing a global memory and storage shortage driven by the rapid expansion of AI infrastructure. The new prices went live on Apple’s online store on June 25, 2026, with no new product launches attached to the increases.
In a statement to media outlets, Apple described the situation as “an unprecedented challenge,” noting that the boom in AI data centres has significantly increased demand for memory chips and storage components. The company said the cost pressures have forced it to adjust pricing across several product categories.
The price increases are substantial. The MacBook Neo now starts at $699, up from $599, while the MacBook Air rises from $1,099 to $1,299. The entry-level 14-inch MacBook Pro now costs $1,999, compared with its previous $1,699 price tag. The 11-inch iPad Pro has increased from $999 to $1,199, and the Apple TV streaming device jumps from $129 to $199, representing a 54 per cent increase. Apple’s Vision Pro headset now costs $3,699, up by $200, while the HomePod speaker rises to $349.
The broader technology industry is also feeling the effects of the memory crunch. Industry tracker TrendForce reported that prices for dynamic random access memory (DRAM) rose by as much as 98 per cent in the first quarter of 2026 and are expected to increase by another 58 to 63 per cent in the current quarter. Some industry experts have dubbed the crisis “RAMageddon” as major AI companies continue to invest heavily in data centre expansion.
Evercore analyst Amit Daryanani described the increases as broad-based, ranging from 17 per cent to 25 per cent across the core Mac and iPad lineup, with even larger percentage increases on lower-priced home devices.
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