Heads Up! Your Favorite Apple Products Have Surged in Price Thanks to AI

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The AI bubble isn’t popping anytime soon.

Power Mac Center. One of the Philippines’ leading Apple authorized retailers. Image Source: Power Mac Center

As you may have read from various headlines, various tech brands are affected by the growing AI boom, all thanks to RAM manufacturers focusing solely on data centers, leaving little room for consumers. This shortage, known as “RAMMageddon” affects even top tech brands like Apple, and have updated their prices for certain iPad and MacBook models.

Financial and tech analysts warned that the AI boom will cause memory shortages, particularly, RAM, as data centers demand it more, leaving only a small percentage for consumers. This year, we saw notable questionable prices with certain products, even down to budget phones. Sadly, it looks like we have to endure this price hike for a couple more years. Companies like Nothing even scrapped or at least delayed their budget phone release under the CMF brand.

The increase in price for Apple products was originally announced first in the US, and then in subsequent countries. Price range increased between $30 to $300. For instance, the MacBook Pro (14-inch) now costs $2,000 (from $1,700). This price increase affects both previous and current generation products.

Apple Price Surge: MacBook and iPad are Hit the Most

From what was originally just PHP 39,990, the MacBook Neo had a dramatic price increase to PHP 49,990. This laptop is intended for newbie Mac users, as well as students and the working class on a tight budget. However, what used to be originally affordable, the MacBook Neo now costs similarly to an entry-level gaming laptop.

Meanwhile, the 11th-gen iPad, powered by the Apple A16 chip, now went from PHP 24,990 to PHP 32,990. The iPad Air (8th generation) is also drastically higher, from PHP 42,990 to PHP 54,990. Below are all the other Apple products heavily affected by the price surge.

  • iPad Mini (7th generation): From PHP 34,990 to PHP 42,990
  • iPad Pro (8th generation): From PHP 72,990 to PHP 89,990
  • Mac Mini (5th generation): From PHP 49,990 to PHP 55,990
  • MacBook Air (6th generation): From PHP 78,990 to PHP 89,990
  • MacBook Pro (5th generation): From PHP 109,990 to PHP 139,990

Tim Cook, CEO of Apple, previously announced that the company will be forced to raise its prices due to the AI boom, primarily due to the high demand of memory chips to power certain data centers. It isn’t a good look, both for consumers and for the environment.

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