Apple's MacBook Air is reportedly experiencing severe supply shortages, with the company steering customers towards the base MacBook Pro instead – an unusual move that suggests Apple is struggling to meet demand for its lightweight laptop. The shortage comes shortly after the MacBook Air's price rose from $1,099 to $1,299, and is linked to the broader "Ramageddon" memory chip crunch driven by surging demand from AI data centres, according to Bloomberg's Mark Gurman.

Retail sources told Gurman that customers ordering a MacBook Air today would not receive it until the end of August, and Apple's website and stores now display warnings that the model is "subject to availability". Apple is also said to be prioritising stock of the 14-inch MacBook Pro ahead of an anticipated M6 chip refresh. Despite beating Wall Street's earnings expectations, Apple has warned investors that supply constraints could hit results next quarter and may lead to further price rises, while its newly launched Apple Upgrade programme could push demand even higher.