MacBook Air Faces Massive Shortage Despite Price Hike

Apple's MacBook Air is facing a major shortage, despite a recent price increase. The laptop's base price has risen from $1,099 to $1,299 in the US, but demand remains strong.

The ongoing memory chip shortage is affecting Apple and other device makers, as large companies building AI servers are competing for supplies of RAM and SSD storage. This has led to a situation where Apple is struggling to keep the MacBook Air in stock, with delivery estimates ranging from 2-6 weeks on Apple's online store.

Retail store sources confirm that shipments of new units are more constrained than ever before, with configurations boasting larger amounts of RAM showing the longest delays. The shortage has also led to higher prices for other Apple products, including 13 other devices in the US.

Gurman says his sources tell him that Apple is working to alleviate the issue by preparing to source memory from Chinese suppliers, at least for devices sold in that country. Additionally, Apple is prioritizing sales of the entry-level 14-inch MacBook Pro, in part to clear the way for an M6 refresh coming this fall.