Apple discontinues cheaper Mac Mini, now $799

Source: Mashable Tech

Apple has discontinued its cheapest Mac Mini option, a compact 256 GB desktop that previously sold for $599.

Pricing Update

The new lineup starts at $799 for a 512 GB Mac Mini. The more expensive model runs on Apple’s M4 chip and offers 16 GB of RAM—just like the $599 model—but with twice the storage. The change was first reported by MacRumors.

Supply Constraints

Last week Apple paused orders of the sold‑out 256 GB Mac Mini, hinting at a lineup change. Apple CEO Tim Cook—who recently announced his departure after 14 years—said on a recent earnings call that Mac Mini supply was constrained by global manufacturing squeezes and that meeting existing demand may be difficult. Tech companies and AI enthusiasts are dealing with a global memory chip shortage, which is expected to worsen over the next year.

AI Focus

Cook attributed the increase in Mac Mini orders to the device’s AI capabilities, with the Mac Mini now advertised for its Apple Intelligence processing power. Users have flocked to the portable computer amid a surge in interest in agentic AI following the launch of the open‑source AI agent framework OpenClaw (formerly known as Moltbot and Clawdebot).