Are you going to buy a Mac or an iPad? Well wait, because Apple has raised prices significantly. Since this week, MacBook laptops and iPad tablets cost between 20% and 42% more worldwide, depending on the model and country. The increase can reach up to 300 euros (or more) in some countries like India or Australia. And it all has to do with a problem that seems distant but affects us all: the memory chip shortage.
What happened? It turns out that memory chips —the components that store your computer’s data— have become much more expensive in recent months. The reason? Big tech companies are buying all the chips they can to build the huge data centers where artificial intelligence systems run. This very high demand has caused a global shortage that has sent component prices soaring. Apple, which needs millions of these chips for its computers and tablets, has had to raise its prices to keep manufacturing. The market reacted fast: Apple’s shares fell 6% in a single day, losing more than 275 billion dollars in stock market value.
What does this mean for you? Well, if you were thinking of buying a new MacBook or iPad, it’s going to cost you quite a bit more than just a week ago. The increase affects all models: MacBook Air, MacBook Pro, iPad Pro, iPad Air and even accessories like the HomePod and Apple TV. If you’re in a hurry, you can still find stock at the old prices in some stores, but it sells out fast. The good news is that iPhones, for now, haven’t been affected, although some analysts warn that the next September models could also go up. Meanwhile, the artificial intelligence boom keeps having side effects that end up being paid for by everyday consumers.
— Marta, for inteligencia intermitente.
