Apple no longer offers the M4 Mac mini with 256GB of storage at a $599 price. Instead, the base model now comes with 512GB of storage and a higher $799 price tag.
Here’s why.
Apple axes 256GB M4 Mac mini
The M4 Mac mini stands out for offering impressive performance in a compact form factor and at an affordable price. Except that it’s now not as affordable as it was before.
Demand for the machine has only grown since its October 2024 launch, fueled by the AI boom. It is one of the most powerful AI PCs you can buy on a budget.
With Apple struggling to secure enough M4 chips from TSMC and the DRAM and NAND crisis, it stopped accepting orders for the 256GB M4 Mac mini from April 22, 2026. A few weeks before that, it listed the high-end Mac mini and Mac Studio models as “Currently unavailable.”
Now, Apple no longer lists the base M4 Mac mini on its online store. The machine’s base variant now starts with 512GB of storage. It costs $799 — $200 more than the 256GB model.
Worse, delivery times for almost all listed configurations stretch into months.
With rising DRAM and NAND prices, Apple likely discontinued the 256GB M4 Mac mini to preserve its margins and direct limited component stock to higher-end models.
Some third-party retailers may still have the 256GB M4 Mac mini in stock and on sale. But otherwise, you can no longer get your hands on the machine. Those looking for an affordable Mac can consider the MacBook Neo, which still sells for $599.
Mac supply woes will continue for now
CEO Tim Cook said during Apple’s recent Q2 2026 earnings call that it expects supply constraints for several Mac models, including the M4 Mac mini and Mac Studio, to continue for several months.
Given the supply constraints and high demand, reports that the M5 Mac Studio and Mac mini may not launch until October 2026 sound plausible.
If anything, we may see more low-end Mac models disappear from Apple’s online store due to supply chain issues.
Rajesh has been writing about consumer technology for over a decade, with a strong focus on iPhones, Macs and Apple’s ecosystem. He enjoys digging into Apple software updates, hardware changes, and discovering new Mac apps that make work faster and more enjoyable.
You can reach out to him at mail[at]rajeshpandey.me.
2 responses to “M4 Mac mini now costs more as Apple drops 256GB model”
As they did with MacBook Air, they’re pricing product out of the range of what made them popular in the first place. And limiting options as an excuse for doing so.
Time for the Neo Mini – A9, 12GB, starting w/ 256 and with fewer ports – at $299.
Rip off Apple memory prices, as usual