Apple says AI demand is driving Mac sales and causing shortages

In short: Apple says demand for Macs rose faster than it expected because more customers are using them for AI work, and some models are selling out.

What happened

Apple said Mac revenue reached $8.4 billion in its most recent quarter, which ended March 28. That was higher than many Wall Street analysts expected. Apple also said Mac sales were up 6% compared with the same period last year.

On an earnings call, CEO Tim Cook said the company was surprised by how many people are buying Macs to run AI models on their own computers. An AI model is the software that does the “thinking” behind many chatbots and AI tools (like a very large, very fast autocomplete). Cook pointed to “local” AI use, meaning the work happens on your device instead of being sent to a company’s servers (like cooking at home instead of ordering delivery).

Apple said this demand helped push some Macs out of stock, including the Mac mini and Mac Studio. Cook said it could take “several months” for Apple to catch up and reach a balance between supply and demand. Apple also said it expects to be supply constrained next quarter on the Mac mini, Mac Studio, and MacBook Neo.

Apple credited part of the growth to newer products, including the MacBook Neo. Cook said demand for the Neo was “off the charts,” and Apple set a quarterly record for customers who are new to the Mac.

Why it matters

For shoppers, this could mean longer waits or fewer choices for certain Mac models. For businesses and schools, it is another sign that more everyday computer buying decisions are being influenced by AI needs, not just email, browsing, and office work.

Source: TechCrunch AI