CEO Tim Cook had already warned that memory prices had become unsustainable, which only meant that Apple was running on borrowed time in keeping the MSRP of its products as low as possible. Unfortunately, the Cupertino firm has thrown in the towel and has announced price bumps across its entire product family, with up to a $1,300 premium being stamped on the more expensive hardware when shopping for the base models.
The more popular products like the MacBook Neo and MacBook Air are only slightly more expensive, but it’ll hurt consumers regardless
For those who were wondering why Apple’s online store was down earlier today, it was due to the new price changes being brought into effect. While no customer will appreciate this move, Apple was left with little choice in the matter, as memory prices have skyrocketed to the point where even the California-based giant doesn’t have the negotiating prowess anymore to secure a deal with the big RAM manufacturers.
Fortunately, the more popular products like the MacBook Neo and M5 MacBook Air have become $100 to $200 more expensive, respectively, the more capable machines like the M5 MacBook Pro, which started from $1,699, are now $300 more expensive and will now be listed from $1,999 onwards. If you intend to purchase the Mac Studio in the M4 Max and M3 Ultra configurations, you’d best hope that you have a sizable budget because Apple’s most powerful workstation now starts from $2,499, and $5,299 if you want the top-tier option.
| Price increases - Here's what's changed | Old Price | New Price |
|---|---|---|
| MacBook Neo | $599 | $699 |
| 13-inch M5 MacBook Air | $1,099 | $1,299 |
| 15-inch M5 MacBook Air | $1,299 | $1,499 |
| M5 MacBook Pro | $1,699 | $1,999 |
| iMac | $1,299 | $1,499 |
| M4 Max Mac Studio | $1,999 | $2,499 |
| M3 Ultra Mac Studio | $3,999 | $5,299 |
| M5 Vision Pro | $3,499 | $3,699 |
| iPad 11 | $349 | $449 |
| 11-inch M4 iPad Air | $599 | $749 |
| 13-inch M4 iPad Air | $749 | $949 |
| 11-inch M5 iPad Pro | $999 | $1,199 |
| 13-inch M5 iPad Pro | $1,299 | $1,499 |
| iPad mini 7 | $599 | $499 |
| Apple TV 4K | $129 | $199 |
| HomePod | $299 | $349 |
| HomePod mini | $99 | $129 |
Even products that didn’t garner mass appeal, like the M5 Vision Pro, have also become expensive, with the $3,499 headset now retailing for $3,699 for the 256GB model. The price increases don’t just apply to the U.S. and Canada but also to other regions. Remember to check out the table above to see how big a price difference you’ll have to pay now because devices like the HomePod and HomePod mini have also been affected.
About the author: Omar Sohail is a reporter and analyst for Wccftech's mobile section, specializing in the technology and business of the mobile industry. His expertise lies in the intricate hardware supply chain, covering developments in semiconductor manufacturing, chip lithography, and camera sensor technology.
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