Apple Raises MacBook, iPad Prices in India as AI Boom Drives Up Memory Costs

Apple has raised prices for several MacBook and iPad models in India and other markets, turning higher memory and storage costs into a direct hit for premium device buyers. The sharpest increases are visible on iPad Air models, while the latest MacBook Pro configurations have also become significantly more expensive than their launch prices.

According to updated prices on Apple’s India website, the 14-inch MacBook Pro with the M5 Pro chip now starts at ₹2,99,900. That is ₹50,000 higher than its earlier launch price of ₹2,49,900. The increase works out to nearly 20%, making the professional laptop line costlier for creators, developers and enterprise buyers.

Apple price hike hits MacBook and iPad buyers

The iPad Air has seen an even steeper revision. The entry-level 13-inch iPad Air now costs ₹1,19,900, compared with its launch price of ₹84,900. That is a rise of more than 41%, placing the model much closer to premium tablet territory and narrowing the gap with some iPad Pro variants.

The affected products include the MacBook Air, MacBook Pro, iPad Air and iPad Pro Wi-Fi models, according to market trackers cited in reports. Apple has not raised prices for the iPhone, Apple Watch or AirPods at this stage. However, the company has indicated that further adjustments may be possible if component pressures continue.

Apple has linked the price increase to a sudden rise in component costs, especially memory and storage. The company said the rapid expansion of artificial intelligence data centres has created an unusually strong demand surge for these parts. That demand has pushed up prices across the technology supply chain.

“The rapid expansion of AI data centres has created an extraordinary surge in demand for memory and storage. We have never seen a component price increase this much, this quickly. We have shielded our customers from these increases so far, but we have now reached a point where we need to begin raising prices on a number of products, including today’s increases for iPad and Mac,” Apple said in a statement.

The company added, “We know this is not welcome news, and we are working tirelessly to find solutions.” The statement signals that Apple is trying to protect margins while managing a supply chain that is being reshaped by AI infrastructure spending.

Why AI data centres are affecting consumer devices

The pressure is not limited to Apple. Cloud companies, chipmakers and large technology firms are buying huge volumes of high-performance memory and storage for AI servers. These servers require advanced components, including DRAM, NAND storage and specialised processors. When demand rises sharply in one part of the industry, consumer electronics makers often face higher procurement costs.

Neil Shah, co-founder and vice-president for research at Counterpoint Research, said the hikes come amid rising semiconductor chip prices, from memory to processors. Such pressures can affect devices with large storage capacity, high memory configurations and advanced chipsets more quickly than entry-level consumer electronics.

For Indian buyers, the timing is important. Apple’s MacBook and iPad lines already sit in the premium segment. A 20% to 42% increase can influence purchase decisions for students, freelance professionals, small businesses and content creators. Buyers who were planning upgrades may now compare older models, refurbished devices or Windows alternatives more seriously.

The higher prices could also affect institutional purchases. Schools, design studios, developers and media firms often buy MacBooks and iPads in batches. Even a single-model increase of ₹35,000 to ₹50,000 can raise total procurement budgets sharply when multiplied across teams.

Market reaction and what could change next

Apple shares fell after the price increases were reported. The stock dropped as much as 6.2% to $274.86, marking its steepest intraday decline since April 10, 2025, according to Bloomberg. Investors appeared concerned that higher prices could weaken demand, especially outside the iPhone business.

Apple executives had earlier warned during the company’s second-quarter earnings call that memory shortages were expected to intensify through the rest of the year. Chief executive Tim Cook also said in April that supply constraints were affecting some Mac models, causing longer availability timelines and shipment delays.

Cook said the shortages were likely to persist for “several months” and added, “We’re not at the point where we’re saying this is going to end anytime soon.” While the iPhone has been less affected by memory shortages, Apple has indicated that some processor-related supply issues have created pressure there as well.

The company’s next iPhone cycle will be watched closely because premium models usually carry higher margins and face less price sensitivity. Bloomberg Intelligence has suggested that Apple may raise prices for Pro models if component costs remain elevated. Its note said a $100 increase could offset a large part of higher expenses.

Apple is expected to introduce its next smartphone line-up in September, including premium iPhone models and a foldable device expected to be priced above $2,000. More expensive camera components are also expected in the iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max, adding another possible cost pressure.

For now, the immediate impact is clearest in the MacBook and iPad portfolio. Buyers in India should check Apple’s latest official prices before placing orders, especially for higher storage and memory variants. The revised pricing shows how the AI hardware boom is no longer limited to data centres; it is also changing what consumers pay for everyday premium devices.