Should I buy a Mac Mini now?

[HuskerNKS]

I use Refurb Tracker for refurbished email notifications and haven't been seeing Mac Mini on the store that much recently but I don't know what the refresh rate on these notifications are. Could be that they're only scraping the site once per day and it looks like the stock goes pretty fast once its up.

I saw at least 8 mac mini's go through yesterday. I agree those trackers probably can't keep up. I saw one pop up and tried to buy it. Already sold out.

 

[Basic75]

I really need a computer.

Then buy one. If your computer is for doing (things that actually need to be done) rather than having (the latest and greatest just because it is the latest and greatest) then there is rarely a reason to wait for the Next Big Thing. Chances are, it won't make much of a difference for the things you simply need to get done.

 

[rafale77]

Guess you got to stalk the site daily. Cheapest computer there now is a $1099 iMac and the OP was already hesitating going to $799. Any idea if there is a regular refresh time for inventory or a 3rd party inventory tracker?

I hit the site occasionally, that’s how I got my Mac Studio. I did not observe any pattern or timing. It is always Mon-Fri during business hours pacific time though… and yes there are trackers but I didn’t need to use any.

 

[Time89]

I use Refurb Tracker for refurbished email notifications and haven't been seeing Mac Mini on the store that much recently but I don't know what the refresh rate on these notifications are. Could be that they're only scraping the site once per day and it looks like the stock goes pretty fast once its up.

I get their notification yesterday- 16/512 for $999

 

[weckart]

The base 256GB Mini M4 is on the Uk refurb store right now. You can possibly find one among the few left in retail stores.

 

[jrgl050]

I order off apple online a 24/512 April 7. Just arrived yesterday. Same config if ordered today has a early August arrival date now.

 

[HuskerNKS]

There is a base model ($599) for $509 on the refurb store right now.

 

[generdude]

I really need a computer...

I also couldn't wait and got the current Mini. The next one that comes out will probably be more expensive because of chip/etc supply shortage and not offer anything more than what I need now.

 

[con2apple]

We're facing a storage crisis with RAM and SSDs. On top of that, Apple is turning to Intel again because TSMC is overwhelmed.

Believe me, every new Mac is going to be significantly more expensive.
If possible take 512/24, future proof.

I can recommend the Mini M4 to everyone. It’s a great computer and monitor/keyboard are possible by every other brand.

 

[eddjedi]

Despite the RAM / Oil / etc crises Mac mini's are not unobtanium, Apple have sold hundreds of thousands, possibly millions of them. Do you have an equivalent of CeX in your country? Here in the UK you can buy most Apple product from them in like new condition with a 5 year warrantly at least 10% cheaper than retail, example:



If you need it now I would buy one now, the M5 isn't going to be noticably different day to day, in fact I would go out on a limb and say any Apple Silicon Mac is still perfectly usable, I'm on my M1 Pro MBP right now and in no hurry to upgrade.

 

[colinsky]

Go for it now. The M4 Mini is a stupendously competent computer and the if-and-when M5 won't be that much better.