The popular Apple MacBook Air is currently facing widespread supply shortages due to a global deficit of memory chips. Buyers ordering the M5 model from the official website must wait 2 to 3 weeks for shipping, with some premium configurations delayed until next month. This inventory struggle comes shortly after Apple increased the starting price of the laptop to $1299.
According to industry reports from Bloomberg writer Mark Gurman, the memory constraints are actively bottlenecking several Mac computers. Retailers confirm the shortage. To bypass these supply chain issues, Apple is reportedly planning to source memory chips from Chinese suppliers to satisfy demand within the Chinese market. It is an emergency measure to keep regional hardware shelves stocked.
This supply crunch hits right as Apple products become more expensive for consumers globally. Prices are climbing. The MacBook Air baseline model previously cost $1099 before the company pushed the entry price up by $200. Similar price hikes have hit other portable devices in the lineup, including the budget MacBook Neo and multiple iPad tablet models. Official retail prices for the iPhone have also climbed in several international territories.
