According to TechCrunch and TechNews, a global memory shortage delayed MacBook Air orders into September, after Apple twice raised prices to $1,299.
Memory Shortage Hits Apple's Entire Mac Lineup
A global memory chip shortage is affecting the availability of Apple's most popular Mac, according to Bloomberg's Mark Gurman as reported by TechCrunch. Gurman said the shortage — caused by the demands of chip-hungry AI companies — had already affected Apple's more niche computers, the Mac mini and Mac Studio, before spreading to the MacBook Air.
How Long Are MacBook Air Shipping Delays?
TechCrunch reports that anyone trying to buy a MacBook Air from Apple's website will have to wait until the back half of August — or, for certain configurations, until September.
How Much Did Apple Raise MacBook Air Prices — Twice?
According to TechNews, Apple raised the MacBook Air's price from $1,099 to $1,299 in June. That followed an earlier increase in March, when the launch of the M5 model pushed the price from $999 to $1,099. Apple paired that March increase with a bump in base storage from 256GB to 512GB.
| Date | Change | Price / Spec |
|---|
| March 2026 | M5 model launch, first price hike | $999 → $1,099; storage 256GB → 512GB |
| June 2026 | Second price hike | $1,099 → $1,299 |
Why Higher Prices Haven't Solved the Supply Problem
TechNews reports that market rumors describe the MacBook Air as now "severely undersupplied," and that Apple has not benefited from the price increases despite raising them twice.
Apple's Supply Chain Response
Gurman said, per TechCrunch, that Apple is working to address the issue by raising prices and sourcing memory from Chinese suppliers. TechNews adds detail: Apple is preparing to shift to Chinese memory suppliers specifically for devices sold in the China market, and has already raised prices on several products by roughly several hundred dollars.
Back-to-School Promotions and New Product Delays
TechNews reports that Apple's back-to-school promotion, originally planned for June, was delayed by the memory supply shortage. On its website and in retail stores, Apple is now visibly steering customers toward the entry-level MacBook Pro instead of the MacBook Air. Some promotional materials, per TechCrunch, carry the warning: "MacBook Air subject to availability." TechNews separately notes wording that MacBook Air availability "depends on actual inventory."
TechNews also reports that Apple has chosen to prioritize sales of the entry-level 14-inch MacBook Pro, partly to pave the way for an M6 refresh expected this fall, and that a new MacBook Air is expected to arrive even later.
Supply Crisis Impact on Apple's Finances and Stock
Per TechNews, Apple's fourth-quarter guidance fell short of Wall Street expectations, and CEO Tim Cook warned that advanced-process capacity and memory supply were tight. Apple's stock gapped down 7.35% on July 31, closing at $308.91 — its lowest close since July 2.
What This Means
The timeline laid out across both sources shows a shortage that widened rather than eased: it started with the niche Mac mini and Mac Studio, per TechCrunch, then reached the best-selling MacBook Air, per both outlets. Apple's two price increases — to $1,099 in March and $1,299 in June, per TechNews — coincided with, rather than resolved, the undersupply that TechNews says market rumors describe as severe. The same week Cook flagged tight memory supply, per TechNews, Apple's stock posted its steepest single-day drop since July 2, at 308.91, suggesting the shortage had moved from a product-availability story into a factor investors were pricing into the stock.