Apple Raises Mac Mini Starting Price Amid Supply Constraints

Saturday, May 2, 2026

Apple has raised the starting price of its Mac Mini from $599 to $799 while doubling its storage capacity to 512GB due to ongoing supply shortages driven by high demand and chip constraints. The shortage is expected to continue for several months as Apple struggles with limited access to key components amid rising competition for advanced processors and growing AI-related demand.

Apple has increased the starting price of its Mac Mini desktop computer amid ongoing supply constraints, the company announced on Friday. The entry-level Mac Mini now begins at $799 and includes 512 gigabytes of storage, replacing the previous $599 model, which offered 256 gigabytes. The price adjustment follows comments from Apple CEO Tim Cook, who acknowledged difficulties in meeting demand for several Apple products, including Macs.

This shortage is partly driven by robust demand for the Mac Mini among artificial intelligence users who require a reliable, always-on device to run AI agents like OpenClaw. According to Apple’s website, orders placed on Friday are expected to be delivered in early to mid-June, indicating a lead time of several weeks.

During Thursday’s earnings call, Cook explained that Apple has been unable to secure sufficient chip supply to keep up with customer demand. While the chip shortage initially affected primarily iPhone production in the March quarter, it has increasingly impacted Mac supply in the current quarter. Cook noted that the imbalance between supply and demand for the Mac Mini and the higher-end Mac Studio models could persist for several months.

The chip shortage affecting Apple stems from intensified competition among companies for the fastest processors produced by Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company (TSMC). Rival firms have captured a larger share of available high-speed chips, further limiting Apple’s ability to manufacture both iPhones and Mac computers at the desired volume.

Beyond chip scarcity, Apple is facing rising costs for memory and storage components, which are critical elements in smartphones, computers, and tablets. The increased demand for these components also comes from technology companies building extensive data centers to support AI infrastructure, which has put upward pressure on prices.

Apple has previously used adjustments in storage configurations as a means to effectively raise product prices. For example, the iPhone 17 Pro was introduced at a $100 higher price point than its predecessor but included more internal storage.

The Mac Mini and Mac Studio are compact, square desktop units that do not include a display or keyboard, requiring users to provide peripherals separately. To address some of the supply challenges, Apple indicated earlier this year that it is collaborating with Foxconn to open a new assembly line in Houston, Texas, aimed at meeting domestic demand for the Mac Mini.

An Apple spokeswoman declined to comment specifically on the removal of the lower storage tier Mac Mini model, referring instead to Cook’s statements made during the earnings call.