Apple raised the prices of its MacBook computers and iPad tablets on Thursday, June 25, 2026 [1, 2].

The price hikes signal the growing economic pressure of the global AI-related chip shortage, which has caused memory-chip costs to soar [1, 3]. As these components become more expensive to procure, Apple is passing the costs to consumers to maintain margins on its hardware.

Announced from the company's headquarters in San Francisco, the changes affect several entry-level models [1]. The base MacBook Air price increased by $200, bringing the cost to $1,299 [1]. Similarly, the entry-level iPad Pro saw a $200 increase, now priced at $1,199 [1].

Overall, MacBook price hikes range from roughly 15% to 20% [1]. iPad price increases are slightly higher, spanning approximately 15% to 25% [1]. Some international reports indicate that these increases could reach up to AUD 1,000 in certain markets [6].

Investors reacted negatively to the news. Apple stock fell 5.3% to approximately $277 following the announcement [5].

CEO Tim Cook led the company during this transition as the industry grapples with supply chain volatility [1, 2]. The company said that the soaring costs of memory chips made these price adjustments unavoidable [1, 3].

“Apple raised the prices of its MacBook computers and iPad tablets”

This move reflects a broader trend where the demand for AI-capable hardware is creating a bottleneck in the semiconductor supply chain. By raising prices, Apple is attempting to hedge against volatile component costs, but the immediate stock dip suggests that investors are concerned about potential drops in consumer demand as premium hardware becomes less accessible.