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Apple Delays MacBook Air, Rolls Out US Upgrade Leasing Service

8/3/2026

37 6 Full Breakdown

Summary

Apple Delays Air

Apple cannot meet MacBook Air demand because a global memory chip shortage limits production.
Standard Air models will ship in late August, while custom versions are delayed until September.
Apple raised the 13-inch M5 MacBook Air’s starting price from $1,099 to $1,299 in June.
Apple’s website now shows a “subject to availability” warning, has postponed its back-to-school promotion, and is sourcing memory from Chinese suppliers.

Summary

Apple Launches Leasing

Apple launched the US-only Apple Upgrade leasing service in late July.
Customers can lease iPhone 17, Apple Watch Series 11, MacBook Air (M5) or iPad Pro (M5) for $17.99, $11.99 or $24.99 per month on 12- or 24-month phone terms and 24- or 36-month Mac/iPad terms.
Klarna backs the program, requires a credit check that does not affect credit scores, accepts Apple or Android trade-ins and has no UK rollout announced.

History

Historical Context

In 1993 a DRAM famine followed a July 4 explosion that wiped out 60 % of resin supply, proving single-point failures can cripple chip output. After the 2011 Japan earthquake, NAND flash prices rose 30 % in Q2 and Intel logged a 1.5 billion-GB inventory gap, forcing Apple, Samsung and Micron to cut smartphone production. Today’s Apple-MacBook Air delay echoes that pattern, highlighting supply-chain diversification.

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Apple Delays Air

Apple cannot meet MacBook Air demand because a global memory chip shortage limits production.
Standard Air models will ship in late August, while custom versions are delayed until September.
Apple raised the 13-inch M5 MacBook Air’s starting price from $1,099 to $1,299 in June.
Apple’s website now shows a “subject to availability” warning, has postponed its back-to-school promotion, and is sourcing memory from Chinese suppliers.

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