Apple raises prices for MacBook Neo, MacBook Air, MacBook Pro, iPad Air and iPad Pro

Because of the surge in memory-chip costs, Apple has been forced to raise its prices. This Thursday, the entry-level prices of the MacBook Neo, MacBook Air, MacBook Pro, iPad Air and iPad Pro were increased.

For several months, media outlets have reported on the memory-chip shortage driven by the race for artificial intelligence, which is pushing up component costs for smartphones, tablets and computers. Initially, Apple was able to avoid raising prices by cutting into its margins. However, Tim Cook recently said that the situation had become unsustainable, even for Apple, and that price rises would be unavoidable.

Apple raises MacBook Neo, MacBook Air and MacBook Pro prices

Apple began increasing the prices of numerous products this Thursday. Anyone looking to buy a MacBook Neo must now pay at least €799 for the 256GB version, compared with the €699 launch price for this “affordable” computer. The entry price for the 13-inch MacBook Air M5 has risen to €1,399, while the MacBook Pro M5 now starts at €2,199.

iPad Air and iPad Pro also become more expensive

Price increases have also affected the iPad Air and iPad Pro. The iPad Air M4 now starts at €819 in France, whereas the iPad Pro with the M5 chip has a starting price of €1,319. This is not an exhaustive list: our colleagues at iPhon.fr have compiled the full list of Apple products whose prices have just increased.

An unprecedented situation with no immediate improvement in sight

In a statement published by CNBC, Apple said that the electronics industry is facing unprecedented challenges to explain this wave of price increases. “The rapid expansion of AI data centres has created an extraordinary increase in demand for memory and storage. Never before has the price of a component risen so sharply and so quickly,” the company said.

“We know this news is not welcome, and we are working tirelessly to find solutions,” Apple also stated.

Unfortunately, the memory-chip shortage behind these price increases will not be resolved in the near future. Micron, one of the leading suppliers of memory chips, recently presented its financial results. During that presentation, the company referred to an order book that remains full and forecast that the memory-chip shortage will continue well beyond 2027.