Apple Was Surprised by AI-Driven Demand for Macs

In its most recent earnings report, Apple revealed strong performances in iPhone and Services, but the real surprise came from higher-than-expected Mac sales, driven by a growing appetite for AI workloads on their computers.

Mac Sales Surpass Expectations

Wall Street had anticipated Mac revenues in the low $8 billion range, but Apple reported $8.4 billion for the second quarter ending March 28. This marked a 6% year-over-year increase, exceeding forecasts that expected Mac sales to be flat. Overall, Apple’s total revenue jumped 17% compared to last year, reaching $111.2 billion.

AI Workloads Boosting Mac Popularity

Apple credits part of the Mac’s success to recent product launches like the MacBook Neo, a device that saw overwhelming demand following its release in March. Notably, many new customers joined the Mac ecosystem this quarter, with CEO Tim Cook noting increased interest in using Macs—particularly the Mac mini and Mac Studio—for running local AI models, such as OpenClaw. The popularity took even Apple by surprise, with certain models selling out quickly, especially in markets like China.

Supply Constraints and Enterprise Demand

Despite strong sales, Mac revenue remained flat quarter-over-quarter, suggesting that the newfound demand for AI processing power is still ramping up. Apple acknowledged it is supply constrained for models like the Mac mini, Mac Studio, and the MacBook Neo, and expects this to persist for several months. The enterprise sector is also adopting Macs for AI development, with companies like Perplexity switching to Apple platforms to build advanced AI assistants. Educational institutions, such as Kansas City Public Schools, are also trading in Chromebooks for the Neo.

Apple continues to adjust production to meet demand, but does not expect the supply constraints to resolve immediately, attributing them more to underestimated demand than to production issues.

For the full original article by Sarah Perez, visit TechCrunch.