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

I don't think the average consumer is aware just how bad the situation is. Many do not pay attention to technology prices except when they need to buy a phone or computer, and most don't have a clue what the difference between 16GB and 24GB of RAM or 512GB and 1TB of storage actually means for them. It's the same with cars, most people think horsepower is everything when what they're actually want/like is low end torque.

If people have a need, they will buy what they can, or can't in some cases, afford.

This is a hot take, and not likely to be popular, but I think Apple should pull the Education discounts before raising base prices again... There is nothing wrong with Apple Certified Refurbs if someone needs to save 10-15% for college. They're better than new in many cases. There are corporate partner discounts for employees of certain large companies that save between 10% and 25%. Those should get suspended too until this is over. I'm sure the personal and friends and family discounts for Apple employees are already on hold if inventory is that short.
 
I guess we’re living another prefect storm like in 2020, where different factors aligned and resulted in a shortage…

I don’t think it’s just the RAM shortage. It’s also the high demand for the N3P node, the problem with helium that another user pointed out, the NAND scarcity, and don’t forget, the fact that Tim Cook said they were going to begin to raise prices… in the middle of an inflationary cycle where there’s more demand than offer.

I am pretty sure I’m not the only one who bought an M5 MacBook Air seeing how expensive getting a Mac was going to become.

Damn, if it was now, I’d buy it in Midnight… I guess silver was the safest choice. But it’s a bit late to make that choice…
 
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This might be caused by very low production volume more so than increased or heavy demand.

Of course some people will always buy at almost any price since they need a computer and want an Apple.

But it doesn’t mean the price increase had no or barely any impact. That will only come out eventually when sales figures are made known.
 
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capamac said:
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
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I think Qatar is a major exporter and it’s used chips of course. And don’t forget fertilizer is a by product of petroleum and a larger percentage come from that narrow passage way. So yay for higher food prices. I think I’d rather complain about food prices than computers but that’s just me.
 
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Black_Mage said:
I hope not. People should save the money and buy later.
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I think he meant Apple Upgrade which is managed by Klarna.
Its a 0% lease, you either send it back at the end (with or without upgrading to a replacement) or purchase it for whatever remained in the price.

I don't see much of a downside to people buying something they need today but couldn't afford to pay all at once under this program...unless they aren't able to make the payments.

I'd be more concerned about someone buying a product at a highly inflated price and then the AI memory market crashes and prices come down.... but in that case with Apple Upgrade, you'd probably still win because you just say "take it back" at the end of the lease and you never paid the full inflated memory price, and it is Apple/Klarna that has to deal with resale values tanking....

With that in mind, I'd actually recommend using Apple Upgrade for any Apple purchase during the memory shortage...
 
bigglow said:
6 weeks ago MBA 15" M5 24GB/1TB was $1150 on Amazon.

3 months ago MBA 13" M5 24GB/1TB was $900 on Amazon.

Wish I bought 3 copies each then sold 2 of each to cover the cost of the one 15" and one 13"
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I’ve had my eye on MBA for over a year and I must have missed the $900 25GB/1TB.

Where/when did you see those prices?
 
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wirefire said:
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).
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I agree, but I'm not really sure why Apple's labeling the lead times like that. I understand (and appreciate) them being upfront with people, but I recently bought a Mac mini and both myself and another here on MR noted that Apple's page quoted 10-12 weeks, but a few days later that turned into less than 3 weeks for the actual delivery. While I don't usually buy direct from Apple to know if this ever happens, I was quite surprised to see it ship to me expedited from Shenzhen via HK, so perhaps supply really is that dire to basically roll straight off the production line.
 
Avenged110 said:
I agree, but I'm not really sure why Apple's labeling the lead times like that. I understand (and appreciate) them being upfront with people, but I recently bought a Mac mini and both myself and another here on MR noted that Apple's page quoted 10-12 weeks, but a few days later that turned into less than 3 weeks for the actual delivery. While I don't usually buy direct from Apple to know if this ever happens, I was quite surprised to see it ship to me expedited from Shenzhen via HK, so perhaps supply really is that dire.
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Same, my MacBook Air was delivered way ahead of schedule. From Vietnam.

I bought it on June 20th, and it said I wouldn’t be getting it until mid August… but then, on July 14th it was there, waiting for me. From almost two months of delivery, to almost one month.
 
simply258 said:
Apple must be prioritizing the chips for the new iPhones.
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Nah, the new iPhones come with a chip manufactured on a whole new process node, in another facility, and probably with less demand. That’s why I think Apple will shift to M6 as soon as they can.
 
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