# Apple M5 MacBook supply, pricing, and performance updates > Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/apple-macbook-air-m5-supply-issues > Updated: 2026-08-29T06:29:00.000Z. Sources: 61. Developments: 6. Apple’s M5 MacBook lineup continues to navigate a global DRAM shortage driven by AI data-center demand, which has caused significant shipment delays for the 13-inch MacBook Air. While the Air remains a top recommendation for university students due to its portability, buyers are cautioned regarding wait times. To assist with affordability, retailers like Amazon have introduced specific discounts, including a $150 reduction on a Sky Blue M5 MacBook Air with 24GB of RAM and a 1TB SSD, priced at $1,649.99. Despite rising hardware costs—such as the $300 increase seen on 1TB MacBook Pro M5 models—Apple has experienced growth in popularity, becoming the fourth largest computer vendor in 2026. In the second quarter of the year, Mac sales reached approximately 6.7 million units globally, accounting for 10.1% of the market. Technical shifts have emerged in the Pro and Max variants, which now utilize chiplet technology for the first time. While the M5 Pro and M5 Max share identical CPU chiplets, the Max variant distinguishes itself with 40 GPU cores and a wider 384-bit memory interface. However, recent software developments have impacted performance; following the release of macOS 26.6.2, owners of the 16-inch M5 Max MacBook Pro reported performance drops during sustained workloads. Benchmarks suggest the update may have adjusted the ‘Automatic’ power profile to prioritize lower noise and temperature, reducing sustained wattage from 65 watts to 54 watts. Users can mitigate this by manually selecting the ‘High Power’ profile. As price hikes persist, analysts suggest consumers may want to wait for upcoming releases. Anticipation is building for a potential ‘MacBook Ultra,’ which rumors suggest could introduce a tactile OLED experience during Apple’s annual autumn event. ## Claims - Apple raised prices on Macs and iPads by several hundred dollars in June due to rising memory costs. (corroborated by 29 sources) - Some MacBook Air configurations may not ship until late August or early September. (corroborated by 25 sources) - The memory shortage has also affected Apple’s Mac mini and Mac Studio product lines. (corroborated by 22 sources) - Apple’s marketing now emphasizes the entry‑level 14‑inch MacBook Pro and includes a disclaimer that MacBook Air availability is limited. (corroborated by 21 sources) - Apple delayed its back‑to‑school promotion due to insufficient MacBook Air stock. (corroborated by 19 sources) - Apple is prioritizing sales of the entry‑level 14‑inch MacBook Pro to free capacity for the upcoming M6 refresh. (corroborated by 18 sources) - Apple warned that supply constraints would hurt growth and lower its September‑quarter sales forecast. (corroborated by 17 sources) - Apple is exploring sourcing memory chips from Chinese suppliers for devices sold in China. (corroborated by 17 sources) ## Timeline ### 2026-08-29: Apple MacBook Pro M5 Max performance drops following macOS update A macOS update has caused performance drops in M5 Max MacBook Pro models under the “Automatic” power profile, though switching to “High Power” mode restores and even improves performance. 4 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/apple-macbook-pro-m5-max-performance-drops-following-macos-update ### 2026-08-24: Apple MacBook sales grow despite rising hardware prices Apple's Mac sales reached 10.1% of the global market in Q2 2026, despite recent price hikes driven by component shortages and rising costs for models like the MacBook Pro M5. 4 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/apple-macbook-sales-grow-despite-rising-hardware-prices ### 2026-08-16: Apple MacBook Pro M5 models introduce chiplet technology amid price hikes Apple's M5 Pro and M5 Max MacBook Pro models introduce chiplet technology but face rising costs due to increased component prices, prompting consumers to weigh performance against budget alternatives. 4 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/apple-macbook-pro-m5-faces-price-increases-amid-component-costs ### 2026-08-12: Apple M5 MacBook lineup receives recommendations and discounts Apple's M5 MacBook lineup is seeing targeted recommendations for students and professionals, with current Amazon discounts on M5 MacBook Air models amid warnings of potential shipment delays due to DRAM shortag 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/apple-m5-macbook-lineup-receives-recommendations-and-discounts ### 2026-08-02: Apple's MacBook Air faces global supply shortage Apple’s MacBook Air deliveries are delayed to late August‑September due to a global memory‑chip shortage, prompting price hikes, a shift to the 14‑inch MacBook Pro, and a postponed back‑to‑school promotion. 50 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/apples-macbook-air-faces-stock-shortages-amid-ram-shortage ### 2026-07-28: Apple MacBook Air's fanless design and M5 launch spark buying decisions Apple's fanless MacBook Air uses passive cooling with Apple Silicon, while the newly released M5 model faces pricing pressure amid component shortages, prompting buyers to weigh immediate purchase against a yet 3 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/apple-macbook-airs-fanless-design-and-m5-launch-spark-buying-decisions --- Cite as: Apple M5 MacBook supply, pricing, and performance updates. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/apple-macbook-air-m5-supply-issues