Memory crisis is also affecting Mac mini
Apple has discontinued the 256 GB memory option for the Mac mini, leading to an increase in the starting price of the desktop computer. The new base model with an M4 chip, 16 GB of RAM, and 512 GB of storage is now priced at $799, up from the previous $599 for the 256 GB version. CEO Tim Cook acknowledged supply constraints for both the Mac mini and Mac Studio, attributing the high demand to their effectiveness as platforms for artificial intelligence. This change comes amid a global memory chip shortage affecting companies building AI servers, with Cook expecting significant increases in memory prices in the current quarter.
As reported by MacRumors, Apple has discontinued the 256 GB storage option for the Mac mini worldwide this week. As a result, the starting price of this desktop computer has increased.
For example, in the United States, the Mac mini with an M4 chip, 16 GB of RAM, and 512 GB of storage is now sold for 799 US dollars. However, previously, the model with an M4 chip, 16 GB of RAM, and 256 GB of storage was sold for 599 US dollars.
Although the 512 GB storage configuration has always started at 799 US dollars, customers who wanted to purchase a new Mac mini from Apple for 599 US dollars no longer have that option. Mac mini models with the M4 Pro chip were already being released with at least 512 GB of storage, so there has been no change in the price of those configurations.
Ordering the base Mac mini model with 256 GB of storage had been impossible since last week, and it has now been completely removed from the Apple configurator.
During this week's earnings call, Apple CEO Tim Cook acknowledged that there are supply constraints for the Mac mini and Mac Studio. According to him, it may take Apple "a few months" to achieve a balance between supply and demand. Cook called both Macs "great platforms for artificial intelligence and agentic tools," noting that this has led to higher-than-expected demand.
In March, Apple also discontinued the 512 GB RAM variant of the Mac Studio.
These changes in Mac mini and Mac Studio configurations are occurring against the backdrop of a global memory chip shortage caused by companies building artificial intelligence servers. Cook stated that Apple expects "memory prices to increase significantly" in the current quarter, and the RAM shortage is forcing the company to make difficult business decisions.
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