Apple has quietly removed the 512GB RAM upgrade option from the Mac Studio lineup, leaving the machine capped at 256GB. The change comes amid global DRAM shortages that have disrupted memory supply chains. The Mac Studio previously offered upgrades ranging from 48GB to 512GB, with higher tiers limited to the M3 Ultra chip.

Along with removing the 512GB option, Apple raised the price of the 256GB upgrade from $1,600 to $2,000. The company has also extended shipping times for the 256GB configuration into May. Industry analysts point to increased demand for Mac Studio machines running local AI agents as another factor contributing to wait times.

The DRAM shortage is already affecting pricing across the industry and could impact PC and smartphone sales in coming months. Apple's position as a major buyer gives it better access to available memory supply than smaller competitors, allowing it to absorb higher costs in the short term.