Apple has discontinued the $599 model of the Mac mini, leaving only configurations with a minimum of 512GB of storage, which raises the starting price to $799.
This change highlights Apple’s response to increased demand for memory, storage, and powerful chips in the AI sector, particularly for applications involving local AI agents and large language models.
The redesigned Mac mini, launched in 2024 at $599, included options for the M4 chip, at least 16GB of RAM, and 256GB of storage. Its affordability contributed to its popularity among AI users.
CEO Tim Cook addressed the situation during an earnings call, stating that demand for the Mac mini and Mac Studio has exceeded supply, especially for AI applications. “We think, looking forward, that the Mac mini and Mac Studio may take several months to reach supply demand balance,” Cook said.
Apple has managed the impact of rising RAM and storage costs more effectively than its competitors. Following the introduction of the M5 chip, the MacBook Air’s storage increased to 512GB, with its starting price rising to $1099.
Currently, there is no alternative model to the discontinued Mac mini that meets the previous low starting price of $599. It remains uncertain if Apple will offer a similar model at that price point in the future.
