Thanks, AI.
TL;DR
Unified memory makes Mac RAM worth more than PC RAM: Apple's CPU and GPU share the same RAM on one chip, so 128GB on a Mac can run 60GB AI models that won't fit on a 32GB GPU.
RAM prices have exploded due to AI demand: A 32GB DDR5 kit went from ~$100 to $500-600, and SSD prices are following the same trajectory as manufacturers prioritize GPU production.
Apple accepted a rumored 100% price hike from Samsung without negotiating: Suppliers expected Apple to push back, but Apple agreed immediately to secure allocation.
Refurbished Macs are the last good deal right now: An M5 Max with 128GB RAM and 2TB storage is $5,800 refurbished versus much higher new prices, but inventory is limited.
Framework Desktop with AMD Strix is the main alternative: The 128GB version at $3,500 offers similar unified memory architecture for local AI inference.
The Breakdown
Apple just hiked Mac prices by up to 43%, pushing maxed-out MacBook Pros to around $10,000, driven by a RAM supply crisis where companies like Nvidia are buying up all the NAND flash for AI GPUs. The creator explains why Macs remain surprisingly good value for running large AI models locally thanks to unified memory architecture, and shares specific refurbished deals that still approach original pricing before they disappear.
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