Story perspectives

Apple hikes MacBook, iPad prices as DRAM spikes, shares tumble

6/25/2026

Summary

Apple Raises Prices

Apple raised prices on several MacBook and iPad models on June 25, 2026, citing soaring memory and storage chip costs from AI data-center demand.
The MacBook Air (512 GB) now costs $1,299, the MacBook Pro (1 TB) $1,999, the entry-level MacBook Neo $699, the iPad Air (128 GB) $749, and the iPad Pro Wi-Fi (256 GB) $1,199, up $200-$300 from previous prices.
Apple shares fell about 5% after the announcement, marking the worst trading day in four months.
Industry trackers reported DRAM prices rose 98% in Q1 2026 and are projected to increase another 58%-63% this quarter, fueling the shortage.
The price hikes do not affect iPhone, Apple Watch, or AirPods.

Summary

Tech Hikes Prices

Memory shortages raised costs, prompting price hikes for PS5 and Xbox Series X consoles in early 2026.
Dell and Microsoft raised prices, with Dell increasing products in December and Microsoft lifting Surface PC prices by up to $500 in April.
Apple’s price hikes have not yet appeared on Amazon, leaving many Apple devices at pre-hike prices for a window, and its MacBook Neo now starts at $699, $100 above launch price.

History

Historical Context

In 2011 SK Hynix and Samsung introduced 16 GB and 32 GB 3D-stacked DDR3 DRAM, the first high-bandwidth memory chips. The 2024 AI boom made Samsung, SK Hynix and Micron prioritize HBM, which uses three times the wafer capacity of DDR5 and triggered a global shortage. By 2026 the shortage continued, with SK Hynix controlling about 38 % of global DRAM and planning a $29.4 billion Nasdaq listing to fund new fabs.

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Apple Raises Prices

Apple raised prices on several MacBook and iPad models on June 25, 2026, citing soaring memory and storage chip costs from AI data-center demand.
The MacBook Air (512 GB) now costs $1,299, the MacBook Pro (1 TB) $1,999, the entry-level MacBook Neo $699, the iPad Air (128 GB) $749, and the iPad Pro Wi-Fi (256 GB) $1,199, up $200-$300 from previous prices.
Apple shares fell about 5% after the announcement, marking the worst trading day in four months.
Industry trackers reported DRAM prices rose 98% in Q1 2026 and are projected to increase another 58%-63% this quarter, fueling the shortage.
The price hikes do not affect iPhone, Apple Watch, or AirPods.

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