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Apple’s most popular MacBook, the MacBook Air, is going through a tough time. According to a new report by Bloomberg, a global shortage of memory chips is slowing production of the company's popular laptop. Mark Gurman wrote in his recent piece that Apple’s supply chain crisis is driven by the rising demand from AI companies for memory chips.
This isn’t the first time Apple’s facing the issue; it was there previously with its less popular products like Mac mini and Mac Studio. However, it has now hit the MacBook Air. So, users who book the Apple laptop using the official website will see the delivery timeline is now stretched until the second half of August. For certain configurations, the waiting period might be longer.
While the company has not confirmed the shortage, the report further mentioned that the tech giant is now sending its customers toward the MacBook Pro instead of the Air across its website and retail stores. Sometimes, users even get a disclaimer, “MacBook Air subject to availability.”
A limited supply of MacBook Air models could create an opening for Windows laptop brands. Dell, HP, Lenovo, and Asus already sell thin and light laptops that compete with Apple's device. If MacBook Air units become harder to buy, some customers may choose one of those alternatives instead of waiting.
Still, Windows makers may not be completely safe. If the memory shortage becomes worse, they could also face production problems. The company that manages its supply chain better may have the advantage in the months ahead.
Also Read: MacBook Air M2 Drops to Rs. 75,000 in Massive Deal: Here’s How to Grab the Offer
The reported MacBook Air shortage shows how one missing part can affect an entire product. Even the biggest tech companies depend on a steady flow of components.
For Apple, keeping the MacBook Air on store shelves will be important as competition in the laptop market continues to grow.
