Apple has discontinued the 256GB storage option for the Mac mini, resulting in a higher starting price for the desktop computer globally. The change means customers need to buy the more expensive 512GB variant which raises the starting price of the device.
Mac mini new starting price and configuration
In the United States, the base Mac mini now starts at $799 while in Canada, it’s priced at $1099. The configuration remains the same which is an M4 chip, 16GB unified memory, and 512GB storage.
The 256GB Mac mini had already been unavailable for purchase prior to its removal from Apple’s configurator. The company has now officially dropped the option, leaving 512GB as the new base storage.
Higher-end Mac mini models with the M4 Pro chip are unaffected, as they already started with a minimum of 512GB storage.
The changes come amid a global memory chip shortage, which has driven up costs for components such as RAM. Apple expects significantly higher memory costs in the near term, which may be influencing its configuration decisions.
The removal of lower-capacity options may be part of broader adjustments as the company manages supply and component availability.
