In an era of rising prices, computers have gotten cheaper. (And why that may end)

In an era of rising prices, computers have gotten cheaper. (And why that may end)

John Ruwitch

December 04, 2025 / 2:00 am

NPR's series Cost of Living: The Price We Pay is examining what's driving price increases and how people are coping after years of stubborn inflation. How are higher prices changing the way you live? Fill out this form to share your story with NPR.

What's the item?

MacBook Pro laptop

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How has the price changed since before the pandemic?

It has dropped $200. Today's entry-level MacBook Pro starts at $1,599. It has a 14-inch screen, 16 gigabytes of memory and a 512-gigabyte internal solid-state hard drive. The comparable MacBook Pro from five years ago, with the same memory and storage (but only a 13-inch screen), cost $1,799.

Why has