Apple has permanently removed the 256GB storage option for its Mac mini, raising the base price to $799 in the U.S. The updated entry-level model now includes the M4 chip, 16GB RAM, and 512GB storage, up from the previous 256GB configuration. The change follows the removal of the 256GB variant from Apple’s configurator after it had already been unavailable for ordering. Tim Cook cited constrained supply and surging demand for AI-capable devices as key factors, with Mac mini and Mac Studio inventory expected to take “several months” to balance. Higher memory costs linked to global shortages driven by AI server expansion are forcing Apple to prioritize configurations with larger storage and RAM. The Mac Studio also saw similar adjustments, with the 512GB RAM option discontinued in March.

These shifts reflect broader industry challenges in securing components amid AI-driven demand for advanced hardware.