Apple Discontinues Cheapest Mac Mini Model

Apple has quietly discontinued its cheapest Mac mini model, the 256GB M4 Mac mini, without official announcement. The device is no longer available for purchase on the Apple Online Store, and the entry-level Mac mini now starts at $799 with 512GB storage, a $200 price increase from the previous $599 base model [2].

The removal of the 256GB Mac mini comes just a week after it was showing "currently unavailable" through the Apple Store. This change effectively makes the Mac mini more expensive, as consumers are now forced to pay a premium for the higher storage capacity. The MacBook Neo and iMac are now the only Macs that still have a 256GB option [2].

According to a report by MacRumors, Apple is sold out of the base Mac mini, and the machine is listed as "Currently Unavailable" from the Apple Online Store [3]. This shortage can be attributed to higher demand, particularly from individuals purchasing the Mac mini to run AI models locally. Apple is also dealing with RAM shortages caused by a surge in global memory demand, which has led to increased RAM pricing [3].

The change in the Mac mini's pricing strategy appears to be Apple's attempt to offset rising memory costs while maintaining profit margins across its product lineup [2]. By effectively forcing consumers to buy an "upgraded" model, Apple can absorb the memory chip price increase while maintaining a high profit margin. However, it's unclear if this is the exact reason behind the change, or if Apple will use the same tactic on other products to raise the average selling price and profit margin.

As Apple works on M5 and M5 Pro versions of the Mac mini for 2026, the update may not come until later in the year due to the RAM supply issues [3]. For now, consumers face higher prices and longer wait times for Mac desktops, making it a challenging time to purchase a Mac mini. The real question is whether Apple's pricing strategy will continue to evolve in response to the changing market conditions.