- Apple’s $599 entry-level Mac mini with 256GB of storage and 16GB of RAM is no longer available
- It now starts at $799 for 512GB of storage and 16GB of RAM
- Apple still offers more than a month for delivery
Less than 24 hours after Apple’s earnings conference call in which CEO Tim Cook commented on the supply chain issues affecting the Mac mini (shipping dates for the popular entry-level Mac desktop computer have decreased), the price has increased and the old mid-range model is the new entry-level model on Apple.com.
MacRumors was the first to spot this change, and the price has also increased internationally. The Mac mini now starts at £799 in the UK and AU$1,299 in Australia, both with 16GB of RAM and 512GB of storage.
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Essentially, the $599 / £599 / AU$999 model with 16GB of RAM and 256GB of storage is being discontinued, and the old $799 / £799 / AU$1,299 mid-range Mac mini with 16GB of RAM and 512GB of storage is now the entry-level. Same hardware specs and same cost, but that previous price increase is now the entry point.
As we noted in our review when this refreshed Mac mini hit the market, it offered significant value, especially at the $599 price point in the US. This value is a little more difficult with a $200 MSRP increase, but you could argue that the MacBook Neo fills this spot – albeit with less power – while remaining affordable.
Given the current RAM crisis, which is spilling over into storage, and the already long lead times for Apple’s Mac mini, this is likely a way for the Cupertino-based tech giant’s supply chain teams to manage the model.
During the earnings call, Cook didn’t give many details or announce this upcoming change, but said, “We expect, looking forward, that the Mac mini and Mac Studio could take several months to reach balance between supply and demand.”
Even with the new entry-level model, the Mac mini still has a delivery estimate of several weeks. If I were to order it now, the estimated delivery is between June 9, 2026 and June 16, 2026 – actually after the start of WWDC 2026.
We’ve reached out to Apple to request comment on the changes to the Mac mini and will get back to you when we receive a response. And in the meantime, let us know what you think of this change in the Mac mini’s starting point.
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