Amidst a shortage of sold-out machines, overpriced Mac minis are flooding eBay, making them a popular tool for running on-device AI models like OpenClaw.
According to reports this week, the $599 M4 Mac mini base model with 16GB RAM and 256GB of storage is sold out on Apple’s retail website, with no delivery or in-store pickup options. The deficit then extended to other configurations of the base model, regardless of the amount of memory chosen. According to some retailers, this is the first time the base model has sold out. Meanwhile, models with larger storage capacities (512GB and above) will only ship from June.
As a result, eBay has become a secondary market for these highly sought-after computers. This site sells various configurations of the M4 Mac mini at higher prices than buying directly from Apple, which is no longer an option.
Apple’s power-efficient Mac mini has become a popular device for testing and running on-device AI models at home. Starting with the OpenClaw craze, it has now expanded to OpenClaw alternatives such as ZeroClaw, other AI tools from Anthropic and OpenAI, Perplexity Computer, or other specialized local models. Unlike some PCs, Mac minis run quietly and tend to be more reliable under 24/7 use than laptop computers.
According to Bloomberg, the device shortage comes in conjunction with an industry-wide memory shortage and Mac mini refresh plans. However, product line updates have never caused stockouts.
Apple did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
This perfect storm of supply chain stress and increased demand for AI-enabled devices is driving up the price of used appliances.
As of Friday morning, base M4 models with 16GB RAM/256GB SSD configurations were selling for between $715 and $795 for new “open box” models, and as much as $979 for “superior” refurbished versions. A “gently used” Mac mini in this configuration sold for around $700, more than $100 more than the new base model.
There was also one listing for a new $925 M4 Mac mini with the same 16GB RAM and 256GB storage. The list was marked with a warning in bright red letters: “Last one.”
If you’re paying close attention (or winning an eBay auction where bidding starts at a lower price point), you might still be able to get a refurbished one for a reasonable price, but until Apple updates its supply chain, demand for the device will likely continue to drive prices up.
And now, with the Mac mini unavailable, Apple is starting to see demand for Mac Studio increase as well. This computer is also currently sold out in several configurations.
As Ars Technica pointed out, the MacBook Pro with 128GB RAM and a larger SSD is still available in the next few weeks, and even the new and popular MacBook Neo will ship within two to three weeks. This suggests that the real issue is consumer demand for the Mac mini itself.
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