Apple removes $599 base Mac mini model

It was just too good to be true.

In a sad turn of events, Apple has removed their base 256GB Mac mini model, priced at $599, from their website this week. This comes after extremely long delays for shipping, as demand skyrocketed for AI, and, more recently, complete unavailability. While there is a possibility that Apple could restock the base model once they have the capacity to do so, or when they refresh it soon with a new chip, it seems unlikely, since the cheapest option now to buy a Mac mini is to select the 512GB model for $799.

Apple has taken a similar position on many products in the past, and recently, like with the MacBook Pros. Their stance is that they are not raising the price, they are just making the base storage higher, which, in turn, also means that the price goes up. Tim Cook acknowledged the supply constraints in Apple's earnings call recently, and explained that it may take "several months" to restrengthen the supply of Mac mini and Mac Studio, which has also been in short supply recently.

There are many approaches Apple could take with this, but the most likely is, for at least the next few refreshes, keep the price at $799, with the storage at 512GB. Then, later on, they could lower the price back down to $599, but with 512GB of storage this time. This, obviously, would be a long stretch of time where Mac mini may be a worse value, because of the price increase. However, this could work out in their favor, if they manage to bring the price either back down with a lower storage tier again, or by lowering prices on higher tier models, sooner rather than later.

It's hard to know exactly what Apple will do in this situation. It is clear that the company is experiencing success that they weren't expecting, at a time when major executive shifts are happening, with John Ternus taking over for Tim Cook as CEO. Tim Cook's strengths with supply chain management may play out well here, and Ternus may gain similar strengths from Cook during this situation with Mac mini.

Apple's decision to discontinue the base model Mac mini is certiainly interesting, and highlights the confusing time that Apple is experiencing with its supply and demand. We will have to wait and see what Apple does soon.