Customers seeking external storage products for Macs are facing significant price increases, even as Apple's Mac machines themselves have not seen price hikes. According to a report by Bloomberg correspondent Mark Gurman, this surge in cost for external storage is primarily due to an ongoing shortage of DRAM and storage components.
External storage products sold on Apple's online and physical stores have become more expensive due to an ongoing shortage of DRAM and storage components, largely attributed to high demand from AI data centers.
Pricing Adjustments
The impact of this shortage is evident in specific product price changes:
- A SanDisk 1TB external drive, previously priced at $120, is now listed at $360, representing a 300 percent increase.
- A SanDisk 4TB external drive, which typically cost around $500, is now selling for $1,200, more than doubling its price.
Other manufacturers' drives have also been impacted by these rising costs. It is important to note that the vendors, not Apple, determine these prices. This trend serves as clear evidence that supply constraints are directly affecting consumers.
Market Context
Apple has previously faced criticism for the cost of its internal memory and storage upgrades. However, the current market situation for RAM and SSDs presents a different dynamic. For instance, Apple recently replaced the 512GB model of its M5 MacBook Pro lineup with a 1TB variant. The price difference between these two portable Macs is approximately $100; a base version with 16GB unified RAM and 512GB storage is listed for $1,399.99, while the 1TB model is $1,499.99.
Inventory Challenges
In addition to higher prices, consumers are encountering difficulties finding external SSDs in stock. Many external SSDs have sold out on various platforms, including Apple's website. This inventory shortage is projected to worsen as 2026 progresses.