Apple has officially hiked the prices of its iPad and MacBook lineups, signaling that the company can no longer absorb the staggering rise in memory and storage costs fueled by the global AI infrastructure boom. While the iPhone remains untouched for now, the popular entry-level MacBook Neo has seen its starting price climb from $599 to $699. Significant increases were also applied to the MacBook Air and Pro models, along with the iPad Air, HomePod, and Apple TV. This shift marks a turning point for the tech giant, which had previously managed to shield consumers from supply chain volatility through its massive purchasing power.

The root of this issue lies in a supply shortage dubbed "RAMageddon," where memory manufacturers like Micron are prioritizing high-profit orders from AI hardware providers such as Nvidia. With dynamic random access memory (DRAM) prices soaring nearly 100% in early 2026 and expecting further double-digit hikes, even industry leaders are struggling to maintain margins. Analysts warn that if a company with Apple’s sophisticated supply chain must pass these costs to the consumer, the broader electronics industry—including makers of Windows laptops and Chromebooks—likely faces even steeper price adjustments, potentially dampening global device sales for the remainder of the year.