# M5 MacBook Pros up $400 on prior models amid RAM crunch
Apple has launched its new M5-powered MacBook Pro lineup with significant price increases, including up to $400 hikes on base models, driven by a global memory shortage amid surging demand for AI components.[1][2] While base prices for the 14-inch M5 Pro MacBook Pro jumped from $1,999 to $2,199 and the 16-inch from $2,499 to $2,699, Apple offset some costs by boosting starting storage and keeping RAM upgrade prices stable.[1][3]
New Pricing Breakdown for M5 MacBook Pro and Air Models
The M5 Pro MacBook Pro now starts at $2,199 for the 14-inch model, a $200 increase over the prior M4 Pro version, while the 16-inch rises to $2,699 from $2,499; the M5 Max variant begins at $3,599, up $400 from $3,199.[1] These hikes coincide with doubled base storage—1TB for M5 Pro (previously 512GB) and 2TB for M5 Max—partially mitigating the effective cost jump on a specs-comparable basis.[1][2]
Meanwhile, the M5 MacBook Air sees a more modest $100 bump: $1,099 for the 13-inch (from $999) and $1,299 for the 15-inch, with starting storage upgraded to 512GB from 256GB.[1][2] Apple eliminated the 512GB storage option on entry-level M5 MacBook Pros, shifting the base to 1TB at $1,699 (up from $1,599), which actually makes some SSD upgrades cheaper—like 2TB now costing $400 less relatively.[4]
Pre-orders for Pro models begin Wednesday, with availability starting March 11, while standard M5 models ship immediately.[1][4]
Global RAM Shortage Fuels Price Hikes in AI Era
A worldwide memory chip shortage, exacerbated by the AI boom, is the unspoken culprit behind Apple's pricing strategy, as RAM and storage costs have doubled since 2025 and surged up to tenfold since 2020.[1][3] High-bandwidth memory (HBM) production has pivoted to AI servers, squeezing supplies for consumer devices like MacBooks.[1][3]
Apple's January earnings call flagged ongoing memory price rises, though CEO Tim Cook avoided confirming product impact.[1] Despite this, the company absorbed RAM upgrade costs, maintaining the same tiers: $400 for 24GB to 48GB, $200 to 64GB, and $1,000 to 128GB on higher configs—unchanged from M4 generation.[2][3] A fully loaded 16-inch M5 Max with 128GB unified memory, 8TB SSD, and nano-texture display hits $7,349, underscoring Apple's high-end workstation focus.[3]
M5 Chips Deliver AI and Performance Boosts
The M5 Pro and M5 Max chips promise transformative gains in AI tasks like image generation, LLM processing, and gaming, with increased memory bandwidth for pros in video editing, 3D rendering, and code compilation.[1][3] Unified memory—non-upgradable in Apple Silicon—remains key, benefiting developers, video editors handling 8K timelines, and AI researchers.[3]
Complementing the lineup, the Studio Display ($1,599) and XDR version ($3,299) feature 5K Retina panels optimized for creative workflows.[1] Apple emphasizes these as "game-changers" for MacBook Pro's AI prowess, positioning them against rising component costs.[1]
Strategic Shifts in Storage and Configurations
Apple's removal of lower storage tiers streamlines options, with stock models now including 1TB SSD/16GB RAM at $1,699, 1TB/24GB at $1,899, and 1TB/32GB at $2,099.[4] SSD upgrade pricing has effectively dropped: 2TB now $400 (vs. prior relative $600), and 4TB $1,000 (down $200).[4] This "maxxed-out" approach caters to memory-intensive pros while keeping entry barriers higher amid the crunch.[3]
Frequently Asked Questions
Why are M5 MacBook Pro prices up $400 on some models?
The M5 Max MacBook Pro base price rose from $3,199 to $3,599 due to a global RAM and storage shortage driven by AI demand, though starting storage doubled to offset some impact.[1][3]
Did Apple increase RAM upgrade costs with M5 MacBooks?
No, RAM upgrade prices remain identical to M4 models—e.g., $400 from 24GB to 48GB—despite industry-wide doubling of memory costs.[2][3]
What's the starting storage on new M5 MacBook Pros?
M5 Pro starts at 1TB (up from 512GB), M5 Max at 2TB, after Apple dropped the 512GB option to align with higher baseline expectations.[1][4]
How does the M5 chip improve performance?
M5 Pro and Max offer faster AI image generation, LLM processing, gaming, and bandwidth for pro workflows like 8K video and code compilation.[1][3]
When can I buy the new M5 MacBook Pros?
Standard M5 models are available now; M5 Pro/Max pre-orders start March 4, with shipping March 11.[1][4]
Is the MacBook Air price increase as steep?
The M5 Air rose $100 ($1,099 13-inch, $1,299 15-inch) with doubled base storage to 512GB, making it comparable on specs.[1][2]
🔄 Updated: 3/3/2026, 5:50:09 PM
**NEWS UPDATE: M5 MacBook Pro Price Hikes Reshape Competition Amid RAM Crunch**
Apple's M5 MacBook Pro base model jumps $100 to $1,699 with 1TB storage replacing the discontinued 512GB option, while M5 Pro starts at $2,199 (up $200 from $1,999) and M5 Max at $3,599 (up $400 from $3,199), driven by a global memory shortage doubling RAM costs since 2025.[1][2][4] Competitors like Dell's XPS 16 and Lenovo's ThinkPad P1 now appear more affordable at entry levels under $2,000 with comparable 1TB configs, potentially eroding Apple's pro-laptop dominanc
🔄 Updated: 3/3/2026, 6:00:10 PM
**BREAKING: Apple hikes M5 MacBook Pro prices amid global memory shortage, with 14-inch M5 Pro jumping $200 to $2,199 and 16-inch to $2,699 from prior models.** The increases coincide with dropping the 512GB storage option in favor of 1TB standard—raising the base M5 model from $1,599 to $1,699 but making 1TB configs $100 cheaper than before—while RAM upgrade costs remain unchanged at $400 for 24GB to 48GB.[1][2][3] Pre-orders for M5 Pro/Max models open Wednesday at 6:15 a.m. PT, with standard M5 units shipping as soon as tomorrow.[5]
🔄 Updated: 3/3/2026, 6:10:10 PM
Apple's new **M5 Max MacBook Pro models face steep price increases of $400**, with the 14-inch starting at $3,599 (up from $3,199) and the 16-inch at $3,899 (up from $3,499), driven partly by a global memory shortage stemming from the AI chip race.[1][2] However, the price hikes are partially offset by doubled storage: the M5 Pro models now start with 1TB instead of 512GB, and M5 Max models come with 2TB as standard, though **RAM upgrade costs have remained unchanged from the M4 generation**—a $400 jump from 24GB
🔄 Updated: 3/3/2026, 6:20:51 PM
**BREAKING: Apple hikes M5 MacBook Pro prices amid global RAM shortage, but holds RAM upgrade costs steady.** The 14-inch M5 Pro model now starts at **$2,199** (up **$200** from $1,999 prior), with 1TB storage standard versus 512GB before, while the 16-inch jumps from **$2,499** to **$2,699**; M5 Max begins at **$3,599** (up **$400**).[1][2][4] Despite industry RAM costs doubling since 2025, upgrades like 24GB to 48GB remain **$400**—unchanged from M4 era—easing pro user concerns as pre
🔄 Updated: 3/3/2026, 6:31:11 PM
**NEWS UPDATE: Apple Stock Dips 2.1% in After-Hours Trading Amid M5 MacBook Pro Price Hikes**
Apple's shares fell 2.1% to $248.37 in after-hours trading following the M5 MacBook Pro launch, with the 14-inch base model now starting at **$1,699**—a **$100** increase over the prior M4 version due to upgraded 1TB storage, despite unchanged RAM upgrade costs like **$400** for 24GB to 48GB.[1][3] Analysts note investor concerns over the **$200** jump in the 14-inch M5 Pro model's entry price to **$2,199**, even as Apple absorbed RAM cost
🔄 Updated: 3/3/2026, 6:40:54 PM
**NEWS UPDATE: Apple Stock Dips 2.1% in After-Hours Trading Amid M5 MacBook Pro Price Hikes**
Apple's shares fell 2.1% to $248.37 in after-hours trading on Tuesday following the M5 MacBook Pro launch, with the base 14-inch model jumping $200 to $1,699 due to upgraded 1TB storage from 512GB, despite unchanged RAM upgrade costs like $400 for 24GB to 48GB amid industry RAM shortages.[1][3] Analysts noted mixed market reactions, with JPMorgan citing "contained pricing pressure" as a positive, quoting lead analyst Samik Chatterjee: "Apple absorbed component cost surges without passing them fully to consumer
🔄 Updated: 3/3/2026, 6:50:56 PM
**NEWS UPDATE: M5 MacBook Pro Pricing Shift Amid RAM Surge**
Apple's entry-level 14-inch M5 MacBook Pro now starts at **$1,699** with a 1TB SSD—up **$100** from the prior $1,599 512GB model—while slashing SSD upgrade costs, like 2TB now at **$400** (down from $600)[1][2]. Despite industry RAM prices doubling since 2025 and surging up to tenfold from 2020 due to AI-driven high-bandwidth memory demand, Apple holds **unified memory** upgrades steady, such as **$400** for 24GB to 48GB, absorbing costs in its margins as non-upgradable
🔄 Updated: 3/3/2026, 7:00:55 PM
**Breaking: M5 MacBook Pro base prices rise $100-$400 amid global memory shortage, but RAM upgrade costs hold steady despite crunch.** Apple's M5 Pro 14-inch model jumps from $1,999 to $2,199 with 1TB standard storage (up from 512GB), while the 16-inch hits $2,699 (from $2,499) and M5 Max starts at $3,599 (from $3,199)—shifts tied to AI-driven memory supply strains, as noted in Apple's January call where prices were flagged to rise[1][3]. Technically, this offsets prior $200 1TB upgrades (now baked in for $100 less net), with RAM hikes unchange
🔄 Updated: 3/3/2026, 7:10:59 PM
**NEWS UPDATE: M5 MacBook Pro Price Hike Sparks Global Supply Concerns Amid RAM Shortages**
The M5 MacBook Pro base model has risen $100 to $1,699 with a 1TB SSD replacing the discontinued 512GB option, while M5 Pro and M5 Max variants jumped $200 to $2,199 (14-inch) and $2,699 (16-inch), exacerbating a global **RAM crunch** that analysts link to semiconductor shortages affecting Europe and Asia[1][2][4]. International tech outlets report buyer backlash in the UK and Japan, with Cult of Mac quoting resellers: "This $100-200 uplift hits creative pros hardest amid 30% CPU gains not justifying the squeeze," prompting