Apple hikes Mac, iPad prices 20%

The AI gold rush is now directly taxing consumer hardware, showing how infrastructure demand can disrupt broader tech supply chains.

• –High-bandwidth memory and enterprise SSD demand from hyperscalers is cannibalizing consumer-grade component supply, forcing Apple to pass the costs to consumers.
• –Developers planning hardware upgrades face steep premiums: a base M5 MacBook Pro now starts at $1,999, while the top-spec Mac Studio config jumps by $1,300.
• –Crucially, the iPhone remains exempt for now, likely because Apple is prioritizing its volume driver and utilizing in-house modems to protect overall hardware margins.
• –This price hike will likely accelerate the adoption of cloud-based development environments as local, high-memory workstations become significantly more expensive.