Mac minis are overpriced flooding eBay amid shortages of exhausted machines, which have become a favored tool for running on-device AI models such as OpenClaw.
this week, exhibitions reported that the $599 M4 Mac mini base model with 16GB of RAM and 256GB of storage is sold out on Apple’s retail site, with no options for delivery or in-store pickup. Shortages have since extends to other configurations of the base model, regardless of the amount of memory selected. This is the first time the base model has sold out, some shops famous. Meanwhile, models with higher storage (512GB and above) are only available to ship from June.
As a result, eBay has become a secondary market for these in-demand computers. On the site, various configurations of the M4 Mac mini are available for sale at higher prices than if you buy directly from Apple, which is no longer an option.
Apple’s cost-effective Mac minis have become popular devices for testing and running AI models at home, on the device, starting with the OpenClaw craze but now expanding to OpenClaw alternatives like ZeroClaw, other AI tools from Anthropic and OpenAI. Perplexity Calculator, or another specialized local models. Unlike some PCs, Mac minis also run quietly and tend to be more reliable for 24/7 use, compared to laptops.
The lack of devices also comes with a memory difficulty across the industry and is planning a Mac mini refresh, according to Bloomberg. However, product line refreshes have not led to shortages in the past.
Apple did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
This perfect storm of supply chain stress and increased demand for AI-friendly machinery has inflated the prices of used consumer electronics.
As of Friday morning, base M4 models in the 16GB RAM/256GB SSD configuration were selling for prices ranging from $715-$795 for a new “open box” model and up to $979 for an “excellent” refurbished version. Some “gently used, used” Mac minis with this configuration were selling for around $700 — more than $100 more than the price of a new base model.
There was also a single listing for a brand new $925 M4 Mac mini with the same 16GB RAM and 256GB storage. the listing warned in bold red text: “Last.”
While you may still be able to get a reasonably priced refurb if you watch closely (or if you win an eBay auction where bidding has started at a lower price), it looks like demand for the device will keep prices up until Apple’s supply chain is revamped.
And now that the Mac mini is out of stock, Apple is starting to see increased demand for the Mac Studio as well. This computer is also sold out now in various configurations.
As Ars Technica It should be noted that 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 two to three weeks. This suggests that the real issue is consumer demand for the Mac mini itself.
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