Mac mini shortages push prices higher on eBay as AI demand grows

In short: Apple’s M4 Mac mini is hard to buy right now, and many listings on eBay show higher prices as people buy them to run AI tools at home.

What's going on

Apple’s $599 M4 Mac mini base model, with 16GB of memory and 256GB of storage, has sold out on Apple’s retail website, according to reports cited by TechCrunch. In some cases there are no delivery or in-store pickup options. Other configurations of the base model have also become hard to find.

Because Apple is out of stock, more sellers are offering Mac minis on eBay at higher prices than Apple charges. TechCrunch reported seeing “open box” units listed around $715 to $795, and refurbished units listed as high as $979. Some lightly used models were listed around $700, which is more than $100 above the new price.

One reason for the extra demand is that some people are using Mac minis to run “local AI models,” meaning AI software that runs directly on your own computer instead of on a company’s servers (like cooking at home instead of ordering from a restaurant). The article says the Mac mini has become a popular pick for this kind of use because it is small, quiet, and can run all day.

TechCrunch also notes a broader “memory crunch,” meaning there is extra pressure on the supply of computer memory parts used across the industry. Apple did not respond to TechCrunch’s request for comment.

What to watch

If Apple’s supply improves, prices on eBay could fall back toward normal. Until then, shoppers may see more reselling, and more people may switch to other Apple desktops like the Mac Studio, which has also faced availability issues.

Source: TechCrunch AI