Apple Discontinues $599 M4 Mac Mini: Base Price Now $799

Apple has discontinued the entry-level 256GB storage configuration of the M4 Mac Mini, effectively raising the starting price of the desktop computer from $599 to $799. The change, which has been implemented globally, removes the most affordable point of entry for the M4-powered lineup.

The new base model now begins at $799, featuring the M4 chip, 16GB of unified memory and 512GB of storage. While the price of the 512GB configuration itself remains unchanged, the removal of the 256GB tier means consumers can no longer purchase a new Mac Mini from Apple for $599.

Supply Constraints and AI Demand

The decision follows a period of significant availability issues. The 256GB model had been listed as out of stock or currently unavailable in several markets, including the United States, before being removed from the online store entirely on May 1, 2026.

During a Q2 earnings call, Apple CEO Tim Cook attributed the shortages of the Mac Mini and Mac Studio to higher-than-expected demand. Cook linked this surge to the adoption of the machines as platforms for artificial intelligence and agentic tools.

Both of these are amazing platforms for AI and agentic tools and the customer recognition of that is happening faster than what we had predicted, and so we saw higher than expected demand. Tim Cook, Apple CEO

Cook further noted that the company expects supply constraints to persist, stating that it may take several months to reach a supply-demand balance. He specifically mentioned that the majority of these constraints would continue through June.

Broader Hardware Trends

This move is part of a broader trend of adjusting entry-level hardware configurations across Apple’s Mac lineup. In March 2026, the company stopped selling the Mac Studio with 512GB of storage. A newer MacBook Air was launched with a higher starting price.

Industry analysis suggests the shift is driven by a global memory chip shortage. Demand from companies building AI server facilities has increased the cost of RAM and storage components, forcing manufacturers to manage costs by pushing consumers toward higher-margin, higher-capacity tiers.

Currently, only the iMac and the MacBook Neo continue to offer 256GB storage options across the Mac family.

Current Availability and Backorders

Despite the discontinuation of the cheapest model, the new base 512GB configuration is facing its own delivery delays. As of May 1, 2026, the M4 Mac Mini with 16GB of memory and 512GB of storage is backordered, with estimated delivery dates falling in the second or third week of June.

Higher-specification models are seeing even more severe constraints. Configurations equipped with 32GB of memory are currently listed as currently unavailable on Apple’s website, while other high-end variants are quoting delivery timelines of 10 to 12 weeks.

For users seeking the M4 Pro chip, pricing and minimum storage requirements remain unchanged, as those models already started with a minimum of 512GB of storage.