Apple couldn't build enough Macs last quarter, and the same problem is coming next quarter.
The company said during its quarterly earnings call that it will remain "supply-constrained" on the Mac mini, Mac Studio, and the new Mac Neo through the next quarter. Apple CFO Luca Maestri said the company was "surprised" by demand, particularly from customers using Macs for AI and machine learning tasks. CEO Tim Cook noted that the M4 chip's neural engine has made MacBooks and desktops viable for AI workloads that previously required cloud computing or Windows machines.
This is the second consecutive quarter Apple has faced Mac shortages — a rare problem for a company that typically manages its supply chain meticulously. The surprise suggests Apple, like many tech giants, underestimated how quickly AI-native workflows would drive hardware purchases. If you're trying to buy a Mac right now, expect waiting lists to persist into summer.
The broader context: every PC maker is chasing the same AI PC opportunity. Apple just happens to be the one caught flat-footed right now.