Apple’s Macs and iPads and Microsoft’s Xbox consoles are getting more expensive — blame AI
The surging cost of memory chips has translated into a bonanza for companies such as Micron Technologies Inc., but for almost everyone else there’s going to be a steep price to pay, with both Apple Inc. and Microsoft Corp. raising the price of some of their most popular products today.
First came Apple, which announced this morning that it’s increasing the prices of its Mac computers and iPad tablet devices, just a week after outgoing Chief Executive Tim Cook said soaring component costs would leave it with no alternative. It was followed hours later by Microsoft, which revealed a significant price hike for the Xbox video game console.
The iPhone maker briefly took the Apple Online Store offline in the morning, in a move that normally signifies the launch of a new product. But the only new thing that appeared when it returned was significantly higher prices on some existing devices, with iPad models now costing between 15% and 25% more, and Mac prices rising by between 15% and 20%.
Apple said the MacBook Air laptop will now cost $1,299 after receiving a $200 price hike, while its most affordable model, the entry-level MacBook Neo, now costs $699, up $100. The price of the flagship MacBook Pro, meanwhile, has increased $300, to $1,999. As for the iPads, the heavy-duty iPad Pro model now comes with a $1,199 price tag, up $200, while the iPad Air has a new price of $749, up by $150.
