We’ve gotten used to being able to order a Mac and have it show up the next day. That’s getting harder. Surging demand from AI data centers has created a global memory shortage that’s squeezing the consumer electronics industry, pushing Mac prices up and delivery times out significantly.
Higher-memory configurations are hit hardest, but there’s no reliable way to predict exactly which Macs will be affected or for how long. The situation changes daily. As of August 4th, the Apple Store was showing the following delivery estimates to ZIP code 14850:
- MacBook Neo (8 GB / 256 GB): 10–14 days
- 13-inch MacBook Air (16 GB / 512 GB): 15–22 days
- 14-inch MacBook Pro (16 GB / 1 TB): 1 day
- 14-inch MacBook Pro (24 GB / 1 TB): 8–15 days
- 14-inch MacBook Pro M5 Max (128 GB / 2 TB): 50–57 days
- 16-inch MacBook Pro (24 GB / 1 TB): 1 day
- 24-inch iMac (16 GB / 256 GB): 2 days
- Mac mini M4 (16 GB / 256 GB): 22–29 days
- Mac Studio M4 Max (64 GB / 512 GB): 56–70 days
So what do you do if you need a Mac right now? It depends on whether you’re buying for yourself or for an organization.
Individuals
If you’re upgrading from an older Mac that still works, waiting a few weeks probably isn’t a big deal. But if your Mac was lost, stolen, or broken, you need something now. Here are your options:
- Shop around: Some retailers may have exactly what you’re looking for in stock. Inventory can even vary between Apple Store locations, so if there are multiple stores nearby, it’s worth calling ahead since online stock information isn’t always accurate.
- Adjust your configuration: Base configurations tend to have the best availability. If you can live with a little less memory or storage, you might be able to get a Mac much sooner. Even a different color can make a difference.
- Consider a different model: Some models are shipping faster than others. If getting an iMac instead of a Mac mini means you can have it this week, that might be worth considering.
- Buy refurbished or used: Apple sells refurbished Macs with full warranties, sourced from store models, returns, and demos. Other retailers sell reconditioned Macs as well, and eBay or Craigslist are always worth a look. Thanks to Apple silicon, a previous-generation Mac is rarely much of a compromise. Just make sure any used Mac has Activation Lock removed, isn’t enrolled in an organization’s device management system, and has been fully erased.
Organizations
For organizations that can’t afford to leave an employee without a Mac, or need to equip a new hire or a whole new location, the situation is trickier. In addition to the strategies above, here are some approaches worth considering:
- Keep a loaner pool: Having a few backup Macs on hand, even older ones that would otherwise have been traded in, is a smart buffer. Just make sure to refresh the pool periodically so the machines stay supported and useful.
- Extend replacement cycles: If your organization typically replaces Macs every 3–5 years, it may be worth pushing those dates out a bit until availability improves.
- Hand down equipment: Depending on what’s available, it can make sense to buy a new Mac for an existing employee and pass their current machine down to a new hire.
- Order earlier: Build Mac procurement into the hiring process sooner so machines are ready when people start, not scrambled for at the last minute.
- Build a deployment reserve: Organizations with predictable hiring may want to keep a small stock of standard Macs ready to deploy immediately. Rotate those machines into normal service over time rather than letting sealed inventory pile up.
Just-in-time delivery has spoiled us, but with a little planning and flexibility, you can still get the Macs you need. Reach out if you’d like help forecasting purchases, identifying alternatives, or adjusting your deployment workflow around the current supply constraints.
(Featured image generated by Adam Engst with ChatGPT)
