Generated

Tim Cook reports significant supply constraints and price hikes for Apple products amid a global memory shortage.

Tim Cook stated that Apple is facing significant supply constraints that will increase in the coming months, primarily driven by a global memory and chip shortage. This crisis, largely fueled by the AI boom and the construction of new data centers, has caused skyrocketing prices for RAM and SSD storage chips. Consequently, Apple has raised prices on several products, including the MacBook Air, which now starts at $1,299. Retail sources indicate that the MacBook Air is currently in a major shortage, with delivery estimates ranging from two to six weeks. To manage the inventory, Apple is prominently steering customers toward the 14-inch MacBook Pro. This shift is unusual for the company, which typically maintains high stock levels. The shortage is so severe that Apple has begun including a "MacBook Air subject to availability" disclaimer in its marketing materials. While revenue remains strong, the administration of the company's production strategy now prioritizes clearing stock before the next refresh, while seeking new memory sources in China to alleviate the pressure.

Sources