Apple Sets Purchase Limits on New iPad Pro, New MacBook Air, and iPhones

[MacRumors]

Apple this week set purchase limits on its newly updated iPad Pro and MacBook Air models, its entire range of iPhone models, and the Mac mini on its online store in the United States and Canada, Europe, Asia, and several other regions.

The new MacBook Air and the Mac mini are limited to five orders per customer, for example, while the new iPad Pro is limited to two 11-inch models and two 12.9-inch models per customer. There is also a limit of two iPhone 11 Pro, iPhone 11 Pro Max, iPhone 11, iPhone XR, iPhone 8, and iPhone 8 Plus models per customer.

Apple commonly places purchase limits on products in some Asian countries to combat the gray market, such as the AirPods Pro, but these expanded restrictions could be an effort to balance supply and demand amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

Update: This post has been updated to reflect that the purchase limits appear to be in place on select products worldwide, not just in Asian countries. While there is no fine print reflecting these limits on Apple's website outside of Asia, the quantity limits are in place during the checkout process.

Article Link: Apple Sets Purchase Limits on New iPad Pro, New MacBook Air, and iPhones

 

[DaveOP]

Are you sure this is also not in the US? I tried to add 4 to a cart yesterday that we needed for testing purposes, and got an error that I can only order a maximum of two. The website doesn't spell it out clearly, but try adding more than two to a single order.

 

[Nik]

People hoarding iPads next to their stack of toilet paper now?

 

[DanielDD]

One probably explanation is to avoid Chinese people from buying available stock and resell it at a profit to other countries where Apple Stores/Retail Stores are closed.

 

[Mr. Dee]

I have the 2017 12.9 iPad Pro and I love it, just can’t justify upgrading as much as I want to. My strategy these days is to run my Apple devices until they stop getting support.

 

[apparatchik]

These limits should be in place permanently for families and individual consumers. Unless you buy in behalf of a business or an institution and state it as such in your purchase, why would you be buying more than five macs, four ipads, etc.

 

[konqerror]

These limits should be in place permanently for families and individual consumers. Unless you buy in behalf of a business or an institution and state it as such in your purchase, why would you be buying more than five macs, four ipads, etc.

It's always been something like 5 units max in the US, and it's true on other companies such as Dell and Lenovo. It's not just for scalping and fraud, but it's a "scope clause" for the business sales people and their quotas.

 

[ruka.snow]

These limits should be in place permanently for families and individual consumers. Unless you buy in behalf of a business or an institution and state it as such in your purchase, why would you be buying more than five macs, four ipads, etc.

16 kids all need their own iPad maybe? But more seriously I could see someone buying 3 iPads for the kids each, one for yourself and one for the spouse. Then the maths stops adding up unless you have four kids.

 

[Dave-Z]

These limits should be in place permanently for families and individual consumers. Unless you buy in behalf of a business or an institution and state it as such in your purchase, why would you be buying more than five macs, four ipads, etc.

The only reason to limit the sale is because of profit losses due to grey market sales, or to try to make things fair if supply/demand isn't balanced. Any other reason and Apple is reducing their revenue.

 

[Joe Rossignol]

Are you sure this is also not in the US? I tried to add 4 to a cart yesterday that we needed for testing purposes, and got an error that I can only order a maximum of two. The website doesn't spell it out clearly, but try adding more than two to a single order.

Thanks Dave! Hadn't noticed. Updated our story.

 

[arvinsim]

I have the 2017 12.9 iPad Pro and I love it, just can’t justify upgrading as much as I want to. My strategy these days is to run my Apple devices until they stop getting support.

Well, the current climate is not exactly conducive to splurging on wants.

 

[itsmilo]

Ah to be in the position to buy 1 let alone 4 new iPads in the current climate of uncertainty

 

[compwiz1202]

People hoarding iPads next to their stack of toilet paper now?

And it's absolutely ridiculous that they will limit non essentials before places will limit basic needs.

 

[mtneer]

How is "per customer" defined - by each credit card number, Apple account or shipping/ billing address?

 

[gugy]

I have the 2017 12.9 iPad Pro and I love it, just can’t justify upgrading as much as I want to. My strategy these days is to run my Apple devices until they stop getting support.

That’s what I do anyway at anytime. Due the high cost I try to milk it to a max. I have the iPad Pro 2017 like yours, iPhone 7+, MBP 2015, MP 2010 and ACD 2006. Yes I’m broke But all of it work just fine.

 

[omihek]

These limits should be in place permanently for families and individual consumers. Unless you buy in behalf of a business or an institution and state it as such in your purchase, why would you be buying more than five macs, four ipads, etc.

Because none of your business, that's why.

 

[iGeneo]

I have the 2018 11". Really love it, but at times I wish I had the 12.9. Was considering this one, but my config would be $1499 (512GB + LTE)

Decided to holdout for now, time to preserve cash for a while. The bank account is pretty fat these days due just closing escrow on a piece of land, but still.. I'll ride it for a while. Now is a better time to support the local businesses that are still open. Apple will be just fine

 

[newyorksole]

Ah to be in the position to buy 1 let alone 4 new iPads in the current climate of uncertainty

Lmao right? I can’t. I am glad I have a 2018 Pro though which maybe I can sell for a good chunk of change, but I don’t want to have to pay any more than $200 to upgrade.

 

[twolf2919]

These limits should be in place permanently for families and individual consumers. Unless you buy in behalf of a business or an institution and state it as such in your purchase, why would you be buying more than five macs, four ipads, etc.

Your "...four iPads" is a bit disingenuous - to support your "why would you be buying..?" I guess? It's 2 iPads of a given size/price and I can think of many reasons why a family might want to buy more than 2 iPads - e.g. if they have 3 children. Especially at this time, when most schools in China are still closed, parents are turning to iPads to help their kids study online and they, themselves, are turning to iPads for entertainment while they're holed up at home.

I agree with the argument that it might be more of a supply issue: Apple might want to spread out their limited supply to as many consumers as possible.

 

[recoil80]

It makes sense if you have limited supply. I remember something similar during iPhone launch days in the past, at least for people queuing outside stores.

 

[DelayedGratificationGene]

Your "...four iPads" is a bit disingenuous - to support your "why would you be buying..?" I guess? It's 2 iPads of a given size/price and I can think of many reasons why a family might want to buy more than 2 iPads - e.g. if they have 3 children. Especially at this time, when most schools in China are still closed, parents are turning to iPads to help their kids study online and they, themselves, are turning to iPads for entertainment while they're holed up at home.

I agree with the argument that it might be more of a supply issue: Apple might want to spread out their limited supply to as many consumers as possible.
Agreed that it’s more than a supply issue, school districts, universities, consumers all trying to get their hands on toilet paper and iPads etc for the reasons I stated above....

[automerge]1584639491[/automerge]
That got all screwed up......It’s more of a demand issue then supply. China supply issues gone but schools, colleges, companies and consumers are all desperate for ipads etc for remote learning and remote working

 

[california_kid]

Apple got it all wrong, it should be something like:

• Buy iPad Pro and get a free roll of toilet paper
• Buy MacBook Air and get a free roll of toilet paper plus a bottle of hand sanitizer
• Spend more than $2000 and you also get a case of instant ramen
• Buy a Mac Pro with wheels and get a free in home COVID-19 test kit

 

[kazmac]

Makes sense, given the climate. That said if families and folks need these to work or go to school from home, it would be great if Apple would allow additional purchases for those that need more than 2 per item.

 

[Gasu E.]

16 kids all need their own iPad maybe? But more seriously I could see someone buying 3 iPads for the kids each, one for yourself and one for the spouse. Then the maths stops adding up unless you have four kids.

Unless you have quintuplets, you don't have to give the same model to each of your four kids. And if you have bought some previously, most younger kids expect hand-me-downs.

 

[twolf2919]

[automerge]1584639491[/automerge]
That got all screwed up......It’s more of a demand issue then supply. China supply issues gone but schools, colleges, companies and consumers are all desperate for ipads etc for remote learning and remote working

It is a supply issue if one believes, as I do, that factories in China, in general, are not yet back to 100% and, in particular, given the Covid-19 situation, Apple's initial order might have been smaller than otherwise it would be. I don't know where you get 'China supply issues gone' from.