Mac minis M4: Shortage Fuels Price Surge on eBay

Apple's M4 Mac minis, which have become essential tools for running AI models like OpenClaw, are experiencing an unprecedented shortage. This situation has led to a surge in prices on eBay, where these devices are selling well above their original price.

This week, reports revealed that the base model of the M4 Mac mini, priced at $599 with 16 GB of RAM and 256 GB of storage, is out of stock on Apple's website. Delivery or in-store pickup options are no longer available, and the shortage extends to other configurations, regardless of the memory chosen. This is the first time the base model has been sold out, according to some sources. Models with storage exceeding 512 GB will not be available until June.

In light of this situation, eBay has become a secondary market for these highly sought-after computers. Prices there are significantly higher than those offered by Apple, which can no longer meet demand. The Mac minis, valued for their energy efficiency and silent operation, are used to test AI models at home. The enthusiasm for OpenClaw has spread to other tools like ZeroClaw, as well as models from Anthropic and OpenAI, with Perplexity Computer also mentioned among these tools. These devices are preferred over PCs for their reliability in continuous use.

The shortage is exacerbated by a memory crisis in the industry and plans for a Mac mini refresh, according to Bloomberg. However, product refreshes have not historically led to such shortages. Apple did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

Prices for used Mac minis have skyrocketed. Base M4 models with 16 GB of RAM and 256 GB of SSD are selling for between $715 and $795 for "open" models, and up to $979 for "excellent" refurbished versions. Even lightly used models exceed the price of a new model by over $100.

An eBay listing offers a new M4 Mac mini for $925, with a warning stating that it is the last available unit. While it is still possible to find refurbished models at reasonable prices, sustained demand will likely keep prices high until Apple restores its supply chain.

This shortage has also led to an increase in demand for the Mac Studio, which is now sold out in several configurations. As Ars Technica pointed out, you can still get a MacBook Pro with 128 GB of RAM and larger SSDs in a few weeks, and even the new MacBook Neo is still shipping within two to three weeks. This suggests that the specific demand for the Mac mini is the main driver of this crisis.