Apple hikes MacBook and iPad prices, blaming rising chip costs (opens original article in a new tab)

Apple raises MacBook and iPad prices worldwide, citing increased chip costs driven by AI data centre demand. The company says it's facing an unprecedented challenge with component price hikes, and experts expect other tech firms to follow suit.

• Apple increases MacBook and iPad prices globally due to rising chip costs
• Memory and storage chip demand surge from AI data centres causes supply-demand imbalance
• Tech analysts predict other PC and tablet brands may follow Apple's price hikes