Apple hikes iPad and MacBook prices $200–$300 on AI-driven memory cost surge
NVDA•Apple raised starting prices for its iPad and MacBook lines by $200–$300, citing an unprecedented 98% surge in DRAM costs and up to 63% jump in NAND prices this quarter driven by AI datacenter build-outs. Memory makers such as Micron have prioritized orders from Nvidia, intensifying supply constraints.
1. Apple Price Hikes
Apple increased the starting price of its entry-level iPad and MacBook models by $200–$300. The Neo MacBook Air now begins at $799, and the basic iPad shifts from $329 to $529, reflecting Apple’s decision to pass on sharply higher component costs.
2. Soaring Memory Costs
Dynamic RAM prices jumped 98% in Q1 2026 and are projected to rise another 58–63% in the current quarter as AI datacenter build-outs drive demand. NAND storage costs have followed suit, forcing Apple and other PC makers to absorb escalating supplier fees.
3. Impact on Nvidia Supply
Major memory manufacturers like Micron have prioritized shipments to AI chipmakers such as Nvidia under long-term contracts, securing capacity for GPU production. That strategy bolsters Nvidia’s inventory for datacenter sales but tightens supply for consumer device makers, amplifying pressure on PC market volumes.
