MacBook Air Experiencing 'Major' Shortage Despite $200 Price Increase

[MacRumors]

Despite receiving a price increase in June, the MacBook Air is currently experiencing a "major" shortage, according to Bloomberg's Mark Gurman.

"Retail store sources say Apple is struggling to keep the laptop in stock and that shipments of new units are more constrained than they can ever recall," he said.

In the U.S., the MacBook Air is facing a 2-6 week delivery estimate on Apple's online store, with configurations with higher amounts of RAM delayed the longest.

MacBook Air supply is constrained due to the ongoing memory chip shortage, resulting from companies building out data centers with powerful AI servers. This has led to skyrocketing prices for RAM and SSD storage chips used in a wide range of Apple products, and the MacBook Air is now affected alongside the Mac Studio and Mac mini.

In June, Apple raised prices on 14 products, including the MacBook Air. In the U.S., the laptop now starts at $1,299, up from $1,099. Despite this price increase, it appears that Apple is unable to keep up with demand right now.

Article Link: MacBook Air Experiencing 'Major' Shortage Despite $200 Price Increase

 

[WilliApple]

Its because everyone is using Klarna isn't it...

 

[segfaultdotorg]

I will never be able to afford another BookMacAir at this rate. Shame on you, Tim Apple! SAD!

 

[leehericks]

Neo and Pro are not for everyone. MacBook Air is still the best mainstream computer.

 

[Lounge vibes 05]

Neo and Pro are not for everyone. MacBook Air is still the best mainstream computer.

Agree.
If only Apple would do something with it.

 

[capamac]

I heard the Iran war has also limited the supply of helium, used to make computer chips. Wonder if that is a factor.

Iran war triggers helium shortage, hits semiconductor supply

 

[Black_Mage]

Its because everyone is using Klarna isn't it...

I hope not. People should save the money and buy later.

 

[senttoschool]

I bought the last MacBook Air on sale. Got a 15” M5 Air 1TB/24GB for $1440 from Microcenter. Just before the price increase.

 

[Andres Cantu]

Complaints about price increases throughout the internet, yet the numbers are telling a different story. Difficult to blame companies at this point for taking advantage of the laws of economics.

Why would they not raise their prices if people aren't voting with their wallets?

 

[wirefire]

Apple is actually greatly hindered by large lead times. I will tell you right now when I see a 10-12+ week lead time for a Mac Studio, it makes me thing so much more about "just wait until the next one comes out". when you are talking about 1 year to 18 month lifecycles, instant gratification of shoppers is an important component to your business. 2-6 weeks is not "huge" and most people likely would consider just being like what is the price difference for a base MacBook Pro and it may be worth it (especially during college season). But if I am specifically in the market for a MacBook Air price / size / budget and I can't get on off the shelf, I would consider other products.

the MacBook Air is one of the better deals for an apple product and has no business being or competing with an AI product. the problem is just that the memory chips are too scarce and they are directed to max profits and preserve image.

 

[avanpelt]

I saw this first-hand this weekend at the Apple Store.

A guy was trying to help his mom purchase a MacBook Air and I listened from across the table as the Apple Store employee tried to explain that none were in-stock and that they were going to have to wait a month to receive one. The guy then asked if his mom could buy one with more RAM to get it sooner. Nope — the delay was even longer with that config.

I feel for the average consumer who just wants to buy a Mac right now. Between the price increases and the short supply, it’s not a fun time. It’s also really not fun for the Apple retail employees.

 

[insomniac86]

Up by $200?

My wife's MBA M5 1TB/24GB went from $2200 to $2850 AUD

(Edit to state in AUD.)

 

[August West]

Amazon has all colors of the base 13" in stock and ready to ship.

 

[triumvirate]

I got mine on sale before the price hikes. There’s no way I’d have paid for it with the current prices. Perhaps people are stocking up before future increases?

 

[DestructoTim]

They found a way to keep MacBook customers on 8GB of RAM for eternity. Introduce a new “budget” MacBook with 8GB, then a month later slide the budget closer to Air pricing and slide the Air to 13 inch MacBook Pro pricing.

“What guys? Its our Chromebook competitor, of course it has 8GB”

The Neo is the 2020 MacBook Air, living forever lol. Only the Neo is now more expensive than the M1 Air was for years at Walmart, and it has worse speakers and worse ports.

The 13 inch MacBook Pro is back, but they took out the active cooling and the Thunderbolt ports. Enjoy!

 

[thebellnd]

The rational response to demand exceeding supply should be another hefty price hike. Apple shouldn't be afraid of profiting from the opportunities presented by scarcity of supply. The brand is positioned perfectly to exploit these opportunities.

 

[throAU]

An equally performing PC laptop is more expensive, so this is no surprise.

 

[capamac]

Just be patient. Prices move in waves. This is likely a wave 'crest' of sorts ... the worst time to buy.

Prices will be better in 6 to 24 months. Till then, just keep using what you've got, or buy used gear. Even M1 is, IMO, quite good.

 

[awshucks]

Up by $200?

My wife's MBA M5 1TB/24GB went from $2200 to $2850.

$650 AUD (2,850-2,200) is $450 USD in case anyone is wondering. Surprised to hear this config went up that much. 50% more markup than US price (1700 to 2000 in US).

 

[SeaFox]

If it's in a shortage despite the price increase, you can rest assured that even when RAM and storage come down in price Apple wont be returning the price to the old level. Enjoy the new normal.

 

[Spock]

They found a way to keep MacBook customers on 8GB of RAM for eternity. Introduce a new “budget” MacBook with 8GB, then a month later slide the budget closer to Air pricing and slide the Air to 13 inch MacBook Pro pricing.

“What guys? Its our Chromebook competitor, of course it has 8GB”

The Neo is the 2020 MacBook Air, living forever lol. Only the Neo is now more expensive than the M1 Air was for years at Walmart, and it has worse speakers and worse ports.

The 13 inch MacBook Pro is back, but they took out the active cooling and the Thunderbolt ports. Enjoy!

Am I the only one getting tired of the MacBook Neo hate? You don’t have to buy it…

 

[Spock]

If it's in a shortage despite the price increase, you can rest assured that even when RAM and storage come down in price Apple wont be returning the price to the old level. Enjoy the new normal.

Apple has lowered the base price on newer models, prices may come back down.

 

[FattiesGoneWild]

Time to raise it another $200, I certainly would do it.

 

[platinumaqua]

The more greedy executives elsewhere would see this (if it happened to their product) as they haven't raised the price enough and plan another price hike.

 

[insomniac86]

$650 AUD (2,850-2,200) is $450 USD in case anyone is wondering. Surprised to hear this config went up that much. 50% more markup than US price (1700 to 2000 in US).

Sorry, I should have stated in AUD. But yes, a crazy increase still.