Distinctive mini Macs are flooding eBay amid AI-triggered shortages

Small Macs are expensive eBay floods Amidst the shortage of hardware sold, it has become a preferred tool for running on-device AI models such as OpenClaw.

this week, Reports He noted that the $599 base model M4 Mac mini with 16GB of RAM and 256GB of storage was sold out on Apple’s retail site, with no options for delivery or in-store pickup. Shortages have occurred ever since It extended to other configurations For the basic model, regardless of the amount of memory specified. This is the first time the base model has been completely sold out outlets male. Meanwhile, models with higher storage capacities (512GB and above) are only available for shipping starting in June.

As a result, eBay became a secondary market for computers in high demand. Various configurations of the M4 Mac mini are available on the site for sale at prices higher than the direct purchase price from Apple, which is no longer an option.

Apple’s energy-efficient Mac minis have become popular devices for testing and commissioning at home, and on-device AI models, starting with OpenClaw Crazy, but it now extends to OpenClaw alternatives like ZeroClaw and other AI tools from Anthropic and OpenAI, computer confusion, Or other Specialized local models. Unlike some PCs, Mac minis also run quieter and tend to be more reliable for 24/7 use, compared to laptops.

Hardware shortages also come along with Industry-wide memory crisis And plans to update the Mac mini, according to Bloomberg. However, production line upgrades have never led to shortages before.

Apple did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

This perfect storm of supply chain pressures and increased demand for AI-friendly machines has inflated the prices of used consumer electronics.

As of Friday morning, base M4 models with a 16B RAM/256GB SSD configuration were selling in increments of between $715 and $795 for the new “open box” model, and up to $979 for the refurbished “premium” version. Some “lightly used, used” Mac minis with this configuration sold for about $700—more than $100 more than the price of a new base model.

There was also one listing for a brand-new $925 M4 Mac mini with the same 16GB of RAM and 256GB of storage; The menu is warned in bright red text: “Last one.”

Although you’ll still be able to get a refurbished at a reasonable price if you watch closely (or if you win an eBay auction where bidding starts at a lower price point), it looks like demand for the device will keep prices high until Apple’s supply chain is refreshed.

Now that the Mac mini is no longer available, Apple is starting to see increased demand for the Mac Studio as well. This computer Now sold out too Across multiple configurations

like Ars Technica As he pointed out, you can still get a MacBook Pro with 128GB of RAM and larger SSDs within a few weeks, and even the new and popular MacBook Neo still ships within 2-3 weeks. This suggests that the real issue is consumer demand for the Mac mini itself.