Apple has discontinued its cheapest $599 model of the Mac mini, with only configurations featuring at least 512GB of storage now available, raising the starting price to $799, as reported by MacRumors.
The removal of the entry-level model reflects growing demand for the Mac mini, particularly as a platform for local AI agents. The redesigned Mac mini was launched in 2024 and quickly gained popularity for its performance and price.
Engadget has reached out to Apple for confirmation regarding the discontinuation of the $599 version. A reply has yet to be received.
The Mac mini’s configuration options included various tiers of Apple’s M4 chip, a minimum of 16GB of RAM, and sufficient ports for general use. It became particularly appealing for those working with local large language models and AI agents.
CEO Tim Cook addressed the rising demand during Apple’s latest earnings call, stating, “We think, looking forward, that the Mac mini and Mac Studio may take several months to reach supply demand balance.” He highlighted the increasing recognition of these devices as effective platforms for AI tools, leading to unexpectedly high demand.
Apple has managed to navigate the ongoing challenges related to memory and storage price increases, often referred to as “RAMaggedon,” more effectively than its competitors. When the company updated the MacBook Air with the M5 chip, it also raised the starting storage to 512GB and the entry price to $1099.
Currently, no alternative low-priced Mac mini model exists, and it remains uncertain if or when Apple will release a similar product at the previous price point.
