Apple reports that users are purchasing Macs at an unprecedented rate, leading to a supply shortage.

Apple reports that users are purchasing Macs at an unprecedented rate, leading to a supply shortage.

      Apple

      Apple is facing a positive dilemma: it simply cannot produce enough Macs. During its fiscal Q2 2026 earnings call, CEO Tim Cook stated that demand for the Mac lineup has exceeded the company’s supply capabilities—definitely not something one would have anticipated a few years back when Mac growth was overshadowed by the iPhone.

      The reasons behind this are intriguing. The Mac Mini and Mac Studio are selling exceptionally well, and Cook credits a significant portion of this success to users realizing the capabilities of Apple Silicon for running AI tools and workflows locally. This is a trend that the company seemingly did not completely foresee. When the CEO himself acknowledges that they “undercalled the demand,” it signifies a true surprise.

      The MacBook Neo's impact is substantial.

      The MacBook Neo, Apple’s newer and more affordable laptop, has exceeded expectations. Schools are abandoning Chromebooks in favor of it, and many first-time Mac customers are coming on board. The March quarter recorded a peak in new Mac customers, reflecting the type of metric Apple has been pursuing for years in a category that often felt like talking to those already convinced.

      Mac revenue reached $8.4 billion for the quarter, up 6% year-over-year despite supply challenges—indicating that the actual number, if supply were not constrained, would have been even higher. Cook cautioned that the Mini and Studio, in particular, may take several months to achieve a balance between supply and demand, suggesting this is more than just a temporary spike.

      This isn’t merely a sales surge.

      What is particularly remarkable about this moment is the change in the demographics of Mac buyers. It’s no longer just creative professionals or developers. Enterprise teams are adopting them at scale for AI development purposes. Public school districts are opting for them instead of budget-friendly Windows alternatives. Emerging markets such as India are witnessing double-digit growth in Mac sales. The product is expanding its audience in a manner that feels more structural than cyclical.

      Apple has long contended that its silicon advantage would eventually attract more users to the Mac ecosystem. It appears that this strategy is finally yielding results—sooner than Apple itself anticipated.

      I held off on the MacBook Neo. I hope the next version addresses these five drawbacks before I make a purchase.

      Apple has hit the sweet spot with pricing like never before, especially in a landscape where increasing component costs are challenging manufacturers. Yet, the missing features are what prompt me to wait for the next iteration.

      The MacBook Neo caught my eye not solely because it’s an attractive piece of technology that appeals to my enthusiast nature. It’s the entirety of what Apple presents—aluminum construction, efficient silicon, and excellent battery life—all at an incredible price of $599. I was eager to try it out and nearly made a purchase a few weeks back.

      However, I decided against it. My hesitation wasn’t due to the Neo being a poor device. I had the chance to use it for a couple of days (thanks to a friend who treated himself), and the more I uncovered what Apple omitted to keep the price so low, the more I felt inclined to postpone my purchase until the Neo improves.

      Apple's Mac mini will face supply shortages for several months, as confirmed by the company.

      It won't be easy to buy a Mac mini in the near future.

      Apple's smallest desktop PC is struggling with availability. During the Q2 2026 earnings call, the company confirmed that the Mac mini and Mac Studio will likely require "several months" to achieve supply-demand equilibrium. This confirmation followed a query about Mac availability, with Apple admitting that demand has exceeded expectations.

      The reasons for the Mac mini's scarcity are clear.

      Google Meet’s AI note-taker has significantly improved and is now much less overwhelming.

      Your meeting notes have become smarter, more customizable, and much more actionable.

      Google Meet's "Take notes for me," introduced in 2024, has proven to be invaluable for those needing to balance typing notes with actively engaging in meetings. Since its launch, numerous features have been added to enhance the AI meeting notetaker service, including the capability to take notes during in-person meetings, produce longer meeting records, and more.

Apple reports that users are purchasing Macs at an unprecedented rate, leading to a supply shortage. Apple reports that users are purchasing Macs at an unprecedented rate, leading to a supply shortage. Apple reports that users are purchasing Macs at an unprecedented rate, leading to a supply shortage. Apple reports that users are purchasing Macs at an unprecedented rate, leading to a supply shortage. Apple reports that users are purchasing Macs at an unprecedented rate, leading to a supply shortage. Apple reports that users are purchasing Macs at an unprecedented rate, leading to a supply shortage. Apple reports that users are purchasing Macs at an unprecedented rate, leading to a supply shortage.

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Apple reports that users are purchasing Macs at an unprecedented rate, leading to a supply shortage.

Apple is struggling to meet the unprecedented demand for Macs after the MacBook Neo and the AI-enabled Mac Mini and Studio sold out more quickly than the company expected.