In detail
- MacBook Pro 16" +$300, iPad Air 11" +$150, HomePod Mini +$30; Xbox prices up to 25% higher.
- HBM memory for AI data centers displaces DDR5 for consumer devices; memory makers like Micron post record earnings.
- OpenAI, Google, Microsoft outbid Apple for RAM and storage; Sam Altman admits a bubble is forming.
- Experts: shortage is structural, not temporary—may extend years.
Why it matters
Price hikes are structural, not cyclical—memory makers prioritize higher-margin AI data centers. German SMEs should expect rising hardware costs if dependent on current-generation devices.
For you Budget for rising hardware costs; consider deferring device upgrades or shifting to refurbished equipment.