Laptop prices soar in 2026 as latest MacBook Pro launches at higher prices
Global laptop prices are forecast to rise sharply in 2026, driven by a combination of manufacturers’ pricing strategies and the impact of the global chip shortage. The rise is already evident from Apple’s release of its latest MacBook Pro line, priced higher than the previous generation.
The announcement of the MacBook Pro with the M5 Pro and M5 Max indeed came later than expected. The latest variants are available in 14‑inch and 16‑inch sizes. Pre-orders opened on 4 March, with shipping scheduled to begin on 11 March.
However, consumers should expect to pay more. Apple has raised prices across the entire MacBook Pro line. The 14‑inch model with the M5 is now priced from US$1,699, up from US$1,599. Nevertheless, Apple has doubled the base storage to 1TB.
For the 14‑inch model with the M5 Pro, the price rises to US$2,199 from US$1,999. Meanwhile, the 16‑inch model with the M5 Pro is priced from US$2,699, up from US$2,499. The M5 Max variant is even higher, with a starting price of US$3,599 for the 14‑inch and US$3,899 for the 16‑inch.
In terms of specifications, the 14‑inch MacBook Pro can be configured with the M5 Pro offering 15 or 18 CPU cores and 16 or 20 GPU cores. Meanwhile, the M5 Max offers 18 CPU cores with 32 or 40 GPU cores. The base model now comes with 24GB or 48GB of RAM and storage starting at 1TB.
For the 16‑inch model, the initial configuration uses the M5 Pro with 18 CPU cores and 20 GPU cores, as well as the same M5 Max option as the 14‑inch model.
The price increases for MacBook come amid a chip shortage crisis, triggered by high demand for AI chips, which leads chip manufacturers to prioritise the production of high‑end memory chips (HBM) for AI because they are more profitable. This pushes up overall chip prices, leaving electronics manufacturers with a dilemma: raise consumer prices, or suppress prices while not offering hardware upgrades for new products.
Analysts from Morningstar and JP Morgan expect these price increases to continue through to 2027. Analysts suggest each company may need to raise selling prices by between 5% and 20%.
Chip crisis drives laptop prices higher
Separately, Asus recently said it would adjust prices on laptop products sold in Indonesia due to dynamics in the global component supply chain. “In light of the dynamics of the global component supply chain, Asus will adjust prices on laptop products marketed in Indonesia,” said Brama Setyadi, Head of PR and Digital Marketing ASUS Indonesia, to CNBC Indonesia in January 2026. This step is described as part of efforts to safeguard supply continuity and product quality for consumers.
Brama says the price adjustments will apply evenly across all Asus laptop segments, so the impact will be felt across the board regardless of product class. The price adjustments for Asus laptops in the country will take effect in the first quarter of 2026.
Separately, the world’s largest PC maker, Lenovo Group, warned of pressure on PC sales due to the global memory chip shortage that hit in 2026. Lenovo Chief Executive Yang Yuanqing said the company has raised prices to cover the cost surge for memory chips, while accelerating expansion into the rapidly growing AI computing market, particularly for inference needs. “We expect PC unit sales to face pressure, but we remain confident we can grow revenue and maintain profitability,” Yang said, as quoted by Reuters in early February 2026. The statement reflects pressure on PC manufacturers as memory chip shortages are driven by demand for AI technology. This condition squeezes profit margins and threatens production targets.