🎯 The Big Picture
The $599 M4 Mac mini has sold out across Apple's retail channels, triggering a surge of marked-up listings on eBay. The shortage highlights how on-device AI demand is reshaping consumer hardware markets in real time.
📖 What Happened
The base M4 Mac mini with 16GB RAM and 256GB storage is completely sold out on Apple's website — no delivery or in-store pickup available. This marks the first time the entry-level model has gone out of stock. Higher-storage configurations (512GB and up) won't ship until June.
eBay has become the go-to secondary market. New "open box" units are selling for $715–$795, while "excellent" refurbished models hit $979. Even lightly used units command around $700 — more than $100 above Apple's retail price. One listing for a brand-new base model hit $925 with a bright red "Last one" warning.
The Mac mini's popularity stems from its power efficiency and reliability for 24/7 AI workloads. It became a favorite during the OpenClaw craze and now supports alternatives like ZeroClaw, Anthropic tools, OpenAI models, and Perplexity Computer. Unlike laptops or some PCs, Mac minis run quietly and handle continuous operation without issues.
The shortage coincides with an industry-wide memory crunch and rumors of a Mac mini refresh. Interestingly, MacBook Pro models with 128GB RAM and the new MacBook Neo still ship within weeks — suggesting the demand surge is specific to the Mac mini form factor.
💰 By the Numbers
| 📊 Metric | 💡 Context |
|---|---|
| $599 | Apple's retail price for the base M4 Mac mini (16GB RAM / 256GB SSD) |
| $715–$795 | eBay price range for new "open box" base models |
| $979 | Peak price for "excellent" refurbished units on eBay |
| $700 | Average price for lightly used, pre-owned units — $100+ above retail |
| June | Earliest ship date for higher-storage Mac mini configurations |
🎤 Highlights
• The $599 M4 Mac mini base model is sold out across all Apple retail channels for the first time.
• eBay prices range from $715 to $979 depending on condition — well above Apple's retail price.
• Mac minis have become the preferred device for running on-device AI models 24/7.
• The shortage is specific to Mac mini; MacBook Pro and MacBook Neo still ship within weeks.
• Mac Studio is also seeing increased demand and sellouts across several configurations.
⚡ The Bottom Line
When a $599 desktop computer becomes a hot commodity selling for $979 on the secondary market, you know AI has gone mainstream. Apple's supply chain will eventually catch up — but the demand signal is unmistakable.
📰 Source: TechCrunch 🔗