The cheapest Mac mini with an M4 chip is currently listed as "Currently unavailable" in the Apple Online Store. This could indicate an upcoming update – or simply the global memory chip shortage that has been impacting Apple's supply chain for weeks.
The desktop Mac family is currently experiencing supply problems. Following initial reports of order stops for the Mac Studio and Mac mini, there is now a concrete shortage: The base Mac mini with the M4 chip is completely sold out at Apple. Anyone trying to order the affordable entry-level model now sees the message "Currently unavailable" – and has no way to obtain the device directly from Apple.
Specifically, the shortage affects the variant with the M4 chip, 16 GB of RAM, and 256 GB of storage – the most affordable model in the lineup. Mac mini configurations with more storage or the more powerful M4 Pro are still available, although certain storage options (32 GB RAM and above) are also sold out. The situation is the same in the German Apple Store – the base model is currently unavailable for order there as well.
Two possible explanations
When an Apple product is sold out, there are traditionally two interpretations:
Scenario 1: A new model is imminent. Apple often deliberately reduces its stock of older models before announcing a new one. This would be plausible for the Mac mini – the current model has been on the market since fall 2024, and an M5 refresh would theoretically be conceivable.
Scenario 2: Shortage due to memory chip crisis. Apple is currently under pressure from a global RAM shortage, which has drastically increased prices. Chip manufacturers cannot keep up with demand – and this particularly affects products with modern DRAM configurations like the Mac mini. A related problem has already led to the delay of the new Mac Studio with M5 until October.
Both are possible. However, the second option is currently more likely – also because, according to Bloomberg, the M5 product generation is being delayed overall due to the memory chip crisis.
Mac mini as an AI machine
One notable factor is the surprisingly strong demand for the Mac mini as a local AI machine. The device has become popular with developers and researchers for running AI models without a cloud connection. The combination of Apple Silicon, a large unified memory architecture, and a relatively low price makes the Mac mini an attractive option for local machine learning.
This could explain why the base Mac mini is sold out, while more expensive configurations are still available. Those looking for a device to experiment with local AI models often opt for the cheapest model with 16 GB of RAM – precisely the model that is now unavailable for order.
What buyers can do now
Those who need a Mac mini at short notice have several options:
- Other configurations at Apple: Mac mini models with more storage or the M4 Pro are still available.
- Third-party retailers: Amazon, MediaMarkt and other retailers often still have stock of the basic model – sometimes even at a discount compared to the Apple price.
- Used market: Mac minis can be found on eBay or other platforms at sometimes significantly lower prices.
- Wait: Those who can wait should check whether Apple announces a refresh in the coming weeks.
For buyers in Germany, the situation remains uncertain even with third-party retailers. The memory chip shortage also affects deliveries to Apple resellers. The recommendation is therefore: if a specific model is available and the price is right, buy it rather than waiting any longer.
Mac mini: The broader context
The Mac mini shortage is the latest in a series of supply chain issues for Apple. The MacBook Ultra is delayed until early 2027, the Mac Studio is arriving later than planned, and even some iPhone configurations are experiencing longer delivery times. All these bottlenecks share a common cause: the global shortage of memory chips and the resulting price increases.
Apple already hinted in its Q1 communications that the situation is impacting margins. The coming quarters will reveal the true extent of the effect – and how quickly Apple can adapt its supply chain to the new reality. Until then, the picture remains: Apple continues to grow faster than the PC market, but certain product variants are suffering from global shortages.
Whether the base Mac mini will quickly become available again or whether the shortage will worsen will become clear in the coming weeks. No official refresh date has been announced – Apple will likely continue to offer the current generation until the M5 is unveiled in the fall.
For a complete overview of all previous leaks and rumors about the Mac mini M5, you can find a continuously updated summary of all rumors here. (Image: Shutterstock / M21Perfect)
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