Apple’s Mac division posted record revenue, helped in large part by the lower-cost MacBook Neo. The product appears to have given the company a strong sales lift even as the broader hardware market continues to deal with tight memory supply.
During the company’s earnings call, outgoing Apple CEO Tim Cook said memory prices are expected to rise further in the current quarter. That warning suggests Apple may face higher component costs ahead, even after navigating the latest round of supply pressure.
The contrast is notable for investors and customers alike. On one side, the affordable MacBook Neo is driving strong Mac revenue and expanding Apple’s momentum in computers. On the other, the ongoing memory shortage threatens to squeeze margins or complicate pricing if parts become more expensive.
For now, Apple’s results show that demand for the MacBook Neo has been strong enough to offset some of those supply-chain challenges. But with memory costs still moving upward, the next quarter could test how long Apple can keep that balance in place.
