AI is forcing me to buy a new MacBook Pro

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In summary:

Macworld reports that AI demand is driving RAM prices to double, creating memory shortages that may force Apple to raise MacBook Pro prices within the next year.
New MacBook Pro models with M5 Pro and M5 Max chips are expected soon, offering GPU performance rivaling Nvidia’s RTX 4070 and enhanced gaming capabilities.
The upcoming models might be the last at current pricing before component shortages impact Apple’s entire Mac lineup, making now an optimal upgrade window.

Ever since I bought it from Apple’s refurbished store, my MacBook Pro with M1 Pro chip has served me well. But these days I’ve been thinking about upgrading it. The upcoming MacBook Pro with M5 Pro and M5 Max chips (which could be released soon) are looking mighty tempting, and the rumors are encouraging.

The main aspect is the noticeably improved performance that we should get with the new chips. Rumors suggest that GPU performance could be on par with Nvidia’s RTX 4070 graphics card, and combined with increasing support for high-end games like Cyberpunk 2077, this feels like a strong reason to upgrade.

But there’s another reason that’s compelling me to upgrade sooner rather than later. I can’t help but think that this might be the perfect time to upgrade–and waiting too long could prove to be costly.

Prices are exploding

If you’ve been paying attention to the wider tech world in recent months, you might have noticed that the prices of computing components–particularly memory, but also storage, graphics cards, and more–are going through the roof.

Apple’s Mac prices have yet to be affected by skyrocketing RAM prices, but that could all change this year.

Christoph Hoffmann

Many RAM sets have doubled in price or more in just a couple of months. PC users are frantically buying up stock before prices rise even further, which they’re expected to do over the course of 2026.

Why…

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