Apple struggles to restock MacBook Air amid worldwide memory chip crunch
A global shortage of memory chips is limiting Apple’s ability to supply the MacBook Air, pushing delivery dates into late summer.
Apple’s flagship lightweight laptop is facing severe inventory constraints because of a worldwide shortage of memory chips, a situation linked to the surge in AI-related hardware demand. The shortage, first observed in the Mac mini and Mac Studio, has now extended to the MacBook Air, with the official Apple store indicating wait times that stretch into the latter half of August or September for some configurations. To mitigate the gap, Apple is increasing retail prices and seeking memory components from manufacturers in China.
The supply squeeze also forced the company to delay its June back-to-school marketing push, shifting emphasis toward the base model of the MacBook Pro and adding a disclaimer that the Air is “subject to availability.” a analyst at one outlet highlighted these developments as the primary cause of the current stock shortfall.
Why it matters
Consumers and investors need to know that a key Apple product may be unavailable or pricier due to a broader chip shortage.
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