Apple discontinues base Mac mini, now starts at $799 with 512GB storage

Apple has discontinued its base $599 Mac mini model and raised the entry price to $799 with 512GB storage due to severe supply constraints driven by unexpectedly high demand for AI and agentic computing capabilities; the company expects supply-demand balance to take several months, with many configurations backordered 10-12 weeks. This supply crisis signals strong market validation for Mac-based AI workloads and suggests organizations should accelerate procurement decisions now or plan alternative solutions, as hardware availability will remain constrained through mid-2026. For IT leaders, this underscores both the emerging strategic importance of Apple silicon for enterprise AI initiatives and the operational risk of dependent on Mac mini infrastructure during this shortage period.