Apple hikes Mac and iPad prices by up to 25% amid soaring chip costs

Apple has raised prices on its Mac computers and iPads by 15% to 25%, with increases of up to $200 or more on models like the MacBook Air and iPad Pro, citing soaring memory and storage chip costs linked to the broader AI-driven chip supply squeeze. CEO Tim Cook confirmed these price hikes were "unavoidable" after the company had previously shielded customers from rising component expenses, marking the first formal move to pass these higher costs directly to consumers. While iPhone, Apple Watch, and AirPods prices remained unchanged, the company indicated that further increases could be on the horizon, affecting a wide range of tech buyers and potentially impacting Apple's stock value, which dipped over 6% following the announcement.