Apple’s M5 MacBook Air is reportedly becoming difficult to find, with some U.S. orders now slipping into September. Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman reports that retail sources described new shipments as more constrained than they could remember.
The shortage is unusual for one of Apple’s mainstream Macs. Gurman says Apple has started steering some buyers toward the base MacBook Pro, while certain marketing materials now carry a “MacBook Air subject to availability” warning.
Higher-memory models face the longest waits
MacRumors checked Apple’s U.S. online store on August 2 and found estimated delivery times ranging from two to six weeks. Configurations with more unified memory appeared to have the longest delays.
Availability can vary by size, memory, storage, color, and location. Some standard models may still be available for pickup or faster delivery, so buyers will need to check the estimate for their exact configuration.
Apple has not issued a separate statement about the current MacBook Air shortage or said when supply will return to normal.
The shortage follows a $200 price increase
The tighter supply comes just over a month after Apple raised prices across Macs and other products. The MacBook Air’s U.S. starting price climbed from $1,099 to $1,299 in June, even though the M5 model had launched only in March.
Apple blamed that broader increase on sharply rising memory and storage costs as AI data centers consume more chips. The same component crunch had already disrupted Apple’s MacBook Pro and Mac Studio plans.
Gurman’s report points to both memory and silicon constraints behind the Air shortage. Strong demand may also be adding pressure, but Apple has not disclosed sales or supply figures for the model. For now, the clearest effect is longer waits—especially for buyers who want more than the base memory configuration.
