Apple is shifting a portion of its Mac manufacturing back to the United States, with the Mac mini being the first product to benefit from this move. The company announced plans to begin manufacturing the Mac mini in Houston, Texas, later this year, marking a significant step in its efforts to diversify its supply chain and increase domestic production.
The announcement, made by Apple’s Chief Operating Officer Sabih Khan during a video interview with The Wall Street Journal, highlights a growing trend of tech companies re-shoring manufacturing operations. Khan stated, “We’re very excited to tell you that later this year we will be beginning Mac mini manufacturing right here in this space,” while touring a Foxconn facility in Houston. This facility will be central to Apple’s renewed commitment to US-based production.
Currently, the Mac mini is manufactured in both Vietnam and China. This expansion to the United States doesn’t represent a complete relocation of production, but rather an addition to existing manufacturing locations. Apple currently produces “thousands” of Mac minis each week, according to Khan and the company intends to “scale Mac mini here to serve our customers in this area” over time. This suggests a phased approach, initially focusing on serving the North American market with domestically produced units.
Apple has previously engaged in US-based manufacturing with the Mac Pro, beginning in 2013 and continuing through 2019. However, the Mac Pro was positioned as a high-end, low-volume product, while the Mac mini represents a more mainstream desktop offering. The decision to manufacture the Mac mini domestically signals a broader commitment to building a more resilient and geographically diverse supply chain.
The timing of this announcement, coinciding with President Trump’s 2026 State of the Union address, is noteworthy. It suggests a strategic alignment between Apple’s business objectives and the administration’s push for increased domestic manufacturing. While Apple has been working to mitigate the impact of tariffs on imported products, bringing production closer to home offers a long-term solution to potential trade disruptions and supply chain vulnerabilities.
The move to manufacture the Mac mini in the US is also occurring alongside significant investment in semiconductor manufacturing within the country. The Wall Street Journal interview included footage of GlobalWafers and TSMC facilities in Arizona, showcasing Apple’s broader efforts to strengthen the US semiconductor ecosystem. This vertical integration, from manufacturing to component sourcing, is a key element of Apple’s strategy to enhance supply chain control and reduce reliance on overseas suppliers.
The Mac mini itself is a popular entry point into the Apple ecosystem, offering a balance of performance, portability, and affordability. It’s a compact desktop computer that appeals to a wide range of users, from home users to creative professionals. The decision to manufacture it in the US could potentially lead to faster delivery times and increased responsiveness to market demand within North America.
Looking ahead, Apple has a busy product roadmap for 2026. Beyond the Mac mini, the company is planning refreshes for the MacBook Pro and MacBook Air, a significant redesign of the MacBook Pro slated for late 2026 or early 2027, and a new Mac Studio. A second generation Studio Display is also in development, alongside a potential new budget MacBook offering. The company is expected to launch over 20 new products throughout the year, demonstrating a continued commitment to innovation across its entire product line.
While the MacBook Air won’t see a major overhaul until at least 2028, when it’s expected to transition to OLED displays, the near-term focus is on refining existing products with new chips – including the M5 series – and networking technologies like Apple’s N1 chip. The Mac Studio is also slated for an update in the first half of 2026, likely featuring an M5 Max chip and potentially a new M5 Ultra chip.
Apple’s broader strategy involves not only hardware updates but also software advancements. The company is expected to unveil iOS 27, iPadOS 27, and macOS 27 at its Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC) in June. These software updates will likely introduce new features and capabilities, further enhancing the user experience across Apple’s devices.
The decision to manufacture the Mac mini in the US represents a significant investment in American manufacturing and a strategic move to strengthen Apple’s supply chain. As the company continues to expand its domestic presence, it’s likely to create new jobs and stimulate economic growth in the process. This move, coupled with investments in semiconductor manufacturing, positions Apple for long-term success in a rapidly evolving technological landscape.
