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Amazon Takes Up to $129 Off M4 Mac Mini, Starting at $499.99

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Amazon today has a few models of Apple's M4 Mac mini on sale at low prices, starting at $499.99 for the model with 16GB RAM/256GB SSD, down from $599.00. Discounts reach up to $129 off in these sales, and this time around there is also a discount on the M4 Pro model.

mac-mini-orange.jpeg
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In terms of the 16GB/256GB SSD model, this is a solid second-best price. You can also get the M4 Mac mini with 16GB RAM/512GB SSD for $689.99, down from $799.00, and the model with 24GB RAM/512GB SSD for $889.99, down from $999.00.






Apple last updated the Mac mini in late 2024, introducing a redesigned computer that's smaller than the previous generation and featuring the M4 and M4 Pro chips. If you're on the hunt for more discounts, be sure to visit our Apple Deals roundup where we recap the best Apple-related bargains of the past week.



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Article Link: Amazon Takes Up to $129 Off M4 Mac Mini, Starting at $499.99
 
Article Link
https://www.macrumors.com/2026/01/12/129-off-m4-mac-mini/
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Would love to upgrade from my M1 Mac Mini, which is beginning to feel a little laggy. But doing so would mean switching to Tahoe and that's a dealbreaker. I know I'm not the only one holding back too. I wonder whether Cupertino appreciates that the 26 boondoggle is costing them hardware sales.
 
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carswell said:
Would love to upgrade from my M1 Mac Mini, which is beginning to feel a little laggy. But doing so would mean switching to Tahoe and that's a dealbreaker.
Click to expand...
You can run macOS 15 on the M4 generation Mac minis, it's the version they originally shipped with
 
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Basic75 said:
You can run macOS 15 on the M4 generation Mac minis, it's the version they originally shipped with
Click to expand...
Really? That's not what a "genius" at the Apple Store told me.

Edited to add: Just called Apple Support. Was told that new M4 Mac Minis ship with OS26. Refurbished models that shipped prior to September will be running OS18 but there's no way to know when ordering and there's a good chance (50-50 in the CSR's estimation) that you'll end up with an OS26 model.
 
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carswell said:
Really? That's not what a "genius" at the Apple Store told me.

Edited to add: Just called Apple Support. Was told that new M4 Mac Minis ship with OS26. Refurbished models that shipped prior to September will be running OS18 but there's no way to know when ordering and there's a good chance (50-50 in the CSR's estimation) that you'll end up with an OS26 model.
Click to expand...
You need to create a USB bootable installer.
However, it will leave the "Tahoe firmware" installed (should not be a problem in general).

Create a bootable installer for macOS - Apple Support

You can use a USB flash drive or other secondary volume as a startup disk from which to install the Mac operating system. These steps are primarily for system administrators and other experienced users.
support.apple.com support.apple.com
 
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I am tempted to buy a M4 mini. I love the new small form factor. But I already have a M2 pro mini (12/19)with 32gb ram and 1tb SSD. So it wouldn’t be much of an upgrade. Not to mention that the Apple trade in value is a complete joke.
 
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carswell said:
Really? That's not what a "genius" at the Apple Store told me.

Edited to add: Just called Apple Support. Was told that new M4 Mac Minis ship with OS26. Refurbished models that shipped prior to September will be running OS18 but there's no way to know when ordering and there's a good chance (50-50 in the CSR's estimation) that you'll end up with an OS26 model.
Click to expand...
We just had a similar discussion in another thread. You can use a USB installer to install any macOS version back to the one that model of Mac originally shipped with. For the M4 that's macOS 15.
 
carswell said:
Would love to upgrade from my M1 Mac Mini, which is beginning to feel a little laggy. But doing so would mean switching to Tahoe and that's a dealbreaker. I know I'm not the only one holding back too. I wonder whether Cupertino appreciates that the 26 boondoggle is costing them hardware sales.
Click to expand...
Curious..I have the M1 and ZERO problems with Tahoe 26.2 or previous versions..Mine is mounted vertically in the Vaydeer dock which adds USB ports and a spot to add an SSD drive..works like a charm too
 
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karnac said:
Microcenter has base M4 mini for $399.99 in-store right now if you're luck enough to live around one.
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Where do you find this in the Bay area? Months ago I saw it listed for $450 and if you gave BB a story they'd price match
 
Icelus said:
You need to create a USB bootable installer.
However, it will leave the "Tahoe firmware" installed (should not be a problem in general).

Create a bootable installer for macOS - Apple Support

You can use a USB flash drive or other secondary volume as a startup disk from which to install the Mac operating system. These steps are primarily for system administrators and other experienced users.
support.apple.com support.apple.com
Click to expand...
Thanks for the info. Though I've had iPhones and iPads for a while now, I'm relatively new to the Macverse and have never tinkered with the OS beyond installing updates and changing settings. Still, compared to the Windows registry, this seems relatively straightforward. Will consider it.
 
Ever since the M4 mini was released I've placed various configurations into my shipping cart as I've been wanting something to use primarily as a music streamer solution for a desktop DAC & amplifier headphone system (using the Mini headless via screen sharing controlled on a iPhone &/or Macbook Pro).

Heh, maybe one of these days I can quit equivocating.
 
I can confirm that recent micro center stock comes with Sequoia installed. no need to upgrade to Tahoe. Bought my Mac mini on December 26.
 
karnac said:
Microcenter has base M4 mini for $399.99 in-store right now if you're luck enough to live around one.
Click to expand...
Unusual as it is for me to drive to a brick-and-mortar store simply based on a post on an internet message board 😛 I can happily (thanks karnac!!) confirm that this is true. (Cambridge, MA store -- however, beware the powerful upsell attempts...)

jontalk5, there looks to be a Micro Center in Santa Clara.

And cubbie5150, this is exactly what I'm using it for (I was using a 2018 MBP for this previously, but this laptop needs to be portable again). Apple Music into outboard DAC into receiver with nice speakers.

I've been looking at the Mini for years. Now I have one!
 
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will Apple Store match Amazon.com pricing? (in-store or online)

I have $572 of Apple left on a couple of Apple gift cards from Christmas.... been trying to figure out how to use them up.

Thanks!

edit: never mind... ordered it for the same price as Amazon.... plus I prefer their 90-day return policy. 🙂
 
SAIRUS said:
Microcenter had this for 400….which is insanely good for this piece of tech.
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Dallas location of Micro Center looks sold out online. Check inventory before you start out.
Pretty sure Best Buy won't match sold-out sales, either.
 
artifex said:
Dallas location of Micro Center looks sold out online. Check inventory before you start out.
Pretty sure Best Buy won't match sold-out sales, either.
Click to expand...
They actually won’t match even if it was in stock. Tried getting them to match the $399.99 price and the system would not allow it, max discount price of $449.99.
 
carswell said:
Would love to upgrade from my M1 Mac Mini, which is beginning to feel a little laggy. But doing so would mean switching to Tahoe and that's a dealbreaker. I know I'm not the only one holding back too. I wonder whether Cupertino appreciates that the 26 boondoggle is costing them hardware sales.
Click to expand...

Interesting. That is the exact reason why I haven't purchased an M4 Mac mini. The current macOS 26 (whatever point version) would be a deal-breaker for me also!

I'll probably end up waiting for an M6 Mac mini to be released, a long time from now. My M2 Pro Mac mini has been very robust.


richmlow
 
Guess I got lucky...they have some in stock in Marrieta GA now!

(sorry Macrumors for taking money from you)

edit: sold out...
 
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