- Orders for new MacBook Pro M4 Max delayed up to two months
- Orders for the 128GB RAM configuration placed today will not ship until March
- This is probably due to the imminent launch of the MacBook M5 Pro and M5 Max, which are rumored for early 2026.
The hardware market is in a state of turmoil due to the RAM crisis, with prices skyrocketing across the board, but while that doesn’t seem to have affected Apple yet, some people ordering a new MacBook are facing delays for an entirely different reason.
As MacRumors reports, new MacBook Pro M4 Max orders are experiencing delays of up to two months, particularly in the United States, with estimated delivery for the 36GB RAM and higher configurations in early February. Customers ordering the 128GB memory configuration are experiencing the longest delays, with these orders showing March delivery dates.
While it may seem like these delays are due to the current RAM crisis, it’s more likely due to Apple’s focus on the M5 Pro and M5 Max, as well as the MacBooks that run them. Apple may have reduced or stopped production of the M4 MacBook Pros to allow inventory to drain before the launch of the new models.
Both chips are expected to launch in the first half of this year, according to Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman, which would explain why delivery dates for the MacBook Pro M4 Max models are delayed.
That’s not to say that Apple is immune to any potential impact from rising prices and component shortages due to RAM. However, Apple is expected to absorb DRAM costs in 2026 to avoid a price increase for customers, and we expect this to extend to the MacBook M5 Pro and M5 Max once they launch.
Apple MacBooks also use unified memory, which is on the same chip as the GPU and CPU. While that doesn’t mean the company is immune to the current instability, it’s certainly safer than manufacturers who have to make major compromises on hardware.
Analysis: Apple may be safe, but other PC makers are in trouble
It appears that this AMR crisis could actually continue into 2026, as the focus on AI shows little to no signs of slowing down. I’m glad Apple is safe for now, because MacBook Pros are already expensive as is – but the rest of the PC hardware market is in a very unstable state.
It’s worth noting that Nvidia hasn’t completely abandoned its efforts to meet the needs of RTX GPU users, especially with the recent launch of DLSS 4.5. However, the transition to AI is very obvious, and the same is true for third-party manufacturers.
Desktop and laptop GPUs are one thing, but Micron recently shuttered its popular brand, Crucial, to focus on selling RAM to AI companies. While this doesn’t mean Crucial RAM is gone forever, it does indicate that the AI bubble is disappearing. massive, and it seems that some manufacturers will stop at nothing to take advantage of it.
I remain concerned that the longer this crisis continues, the more collateral damage will continue, and that is not good news for any consumer.
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