Apple has removed the $599 Mac mini from its US online store, pushing the entry price to $799. The 256GB configuration disappeared as of May 1 after being out of stock for roughly two weeks, leaving only higher-priced models directly available for new purchases. The base model is also absent from Apple's education and military storefronts, with no option to order or backorder.

CEO Tim Cook acknowledged during Apple's earnings call that demand for Mac mini and Mac Studio has outpaced supply, noting it will take months before production catches up. Rising interest in running AI workloads locally has fueled demand for compact Macs, intensifying pressure on already constrained inventory. Other configurations also show extended shipping delays or limited availability across the lineup.

For buyers, the Mac mini no longer offers a reliable $599 entry point into macOS. The change reflects both supply constraints and Apple's strategy to push customers toward higher-priced models with better margins. Earlier reporting points to a Mac mini update later in 2026, though exact timing remains uncertain and current supply issues may persist until then.