Apple Hikes M4 Pro Mac Mini Starting Price Amid Rising Memory Costs

[MacRumors]

Apple today increased the starting price of the Mac mini with M4 Pro chip by $200, taking the higher-tier model up to $1,599 on its online store.

When the M4 Pro model launched in October 2024, the starting price was $1,399, but Apple has been hit by the rapid expansion of AI data centres, which has driven up the demand for memory and storage chips across the tech industry.

Apple had already raised the Mac mini's effective starting price in May by discontinuing the $599 configuration with 16GB of RAM and a 256GB SSD, leaving the $799 model with a 512GB SSD as the new entry-level option. Interestingly, the 16GB RAM / 256GB storage option has now been reinstated, but the $799 starting price remains.

"We have now reached a point where we need to begin raising prices," Apple said in a statement given to The Wall Street Journal. "We have never seen a component price increase this much, this quickly," it added.

Apple briefly took down its online store earlier today as it typically does when announcing new products. But when it came back online, the price tags for Mac computers rose approximately 15 percent to 20 percent and iPad prices rose 15 percent to 25 percent. Apart from the price hikes, there were no other changes to the site.

Article Link: Apple Hikes M4 Pro Mac Mini Starting Price Amid Rising Memory Costs

 

[Palliser]

So it begins….

 

[ghostface147]

This is the cost of business and people will still buy products. It sucks, but hold onto what you have for as long as you can.

 

[DEMinSoCAL]

Interestingly, they brought back the 16GB/256GB configuration for $799, up from $599.

 

[satchmo]

I anticipated 10% but 15-25% increases feels like Apple wanting to keep shareholders happy.

 

[deaglecat]

Even the Vision pro got a price hike 🤣 🤣🤣

And the Homepod Mini 😵😵

 

[All Taken]

2026 - the year of appreciating computing hardware.

 

[rforno]

I anticipated 10% but 15-25% increases feels like Apple wanting to keep shareholders happy.

It's *all* about keeping shareholders happy. To be customer-friendly, Cupertino could easily absorb the extra costs for a few quarters given its insane cash holdings, but remember, in the US, shareholders come first.

 

[sea800]

Apple (first and foremost) and others should be required to make RAM customer-upgradeable.

 

[PBG4 Dude]

Whoa. The MBP 14” I bought in April costs $1,600 more after today’s price increase.

 

[svish]

256 is back but with significant increase in price. Don't think price of components will be coming down anytime soon.

 

[Macalicious2011]

256 is back but with significant increase in price. Don't think price of components will be coming down anytime soon.

Nope. Anyone who needs a new tablet or laptop or phone - buy one asap.

 

[ultradk]

delete

 

[satchmo]

256 is back but with significant increase in price. Don't think price of components will be coming down anytime soon.

If and when the component crisis is over say in 2-3 years, don't expect Apple will lower it's prices back down.

 

[citysnaps]

The cost of memory has skyrocketed over the last year. Of course Apple is going to pass their memory cost increases on to customers.

 

[darkblu]

So much for the competitive advantage and market share growth. That train has left the station.

 

[HouseLannister]

And still 10-12 weeks for any custom config.

 

[Macalicious2011]

And still 10-12 weeks for any custom config.

Ordered my Mac mini 64gb 20 core gpu two months ago! Delivery due next week.

Remember, prices could increase again next year!

 

[Hajj.david]

Glad I got the 64 GB M4 max studio, wish I got the 128 tho!

 

[DottySr]

If and when the component crisis is over say in 2-3 years, don't expect Apple will lower it's prices back down.

Probably won’t be able to, especially if China decides to take over Taiwan.

 

[sw1tcher]

At the moment, investors aren't too happy about the news. Probably worried all these price increases will result in a big drop in sales.

AAPL
$278.20 : -$14.97 (-5.11%)

 

[DottySr]

Glad I got the 64 GB M4 max studio, wish I got the 128 tho!

That was an interesting exercise in price comparison. I was looking at the Pro chip and with the RAM I wanted, it made more sense to go Max, which I did. I too wish I had opted for more memory. To run local LLM’s.

 

[Macalicious2011]

At the moment, investors aren't too happy about the news. Probably worried all these price increases will result in a big drop in sales.

AAPL
$278.20 : -$14.97 (-5.11%)

It won’t. Event Microsoft jacked up prices of their devices. This is the new normal. Can’t get storage or ram for cheap anywhere. Next Xbox and PlayStation will likely cost more than $1000.

 

[ClaraStahlbaum]

I really should have just stuck with my M2 Pro Mac Mini. I have no idea why I downsized and got my current one. I got my current for free by selling the one I had before it. I regret it.

 

[PsykX]

In 2025, Apple became the company with the best price-to-value proposition regarding to every computer lineup they have.

Things have shifted dramatically today.