MacBook Air Price Erosion Threatens PC Market
A memory chip shortage has driven Apple to raise MacBook and iPad prices significantly, undermining the original thesis that Apple's low pricing would squeeze Windows PC makers—instead Apple's price advantage is eroding due to external cost pressures affecting the whole industry. Reports of PC 'panic-buying' and price hikes across the board (not just Apple undercutting rivals) suggest the price-erosion dynamic described in the prediction did not materialize as expected, aligning with falsification criteria around PC makers matching or maintaining competitive positioning.
Mid-range Windows laptop sales and market share hold steady or grow despite the MacBook Air's pricing, or if PC makers successfully match Apple's price point without losing margin.