Apple’s $599 Mac mini Sells Out, Resurfaces on eBay Above Retail

Apple's entry-level M4 Mac mini, priced at $599, has vanished from official retail channels and reappeared on eBay with significant markups, as AI enthusiasts and developers snap up the compact desktop for local model testing. According to TechCrunch, new open-box base models (16GB RAM, 256GB storage) are listed between $715 and $795, while refurbished units have reached $979—a 63% premium over retail. Even pre-owned machines are selling above $700, more than $100 over the original price. One seller listed a brand-new unit at $925 with a warning: "Last one."

The Mac mini's appeal for AI work stems from its small footprint, energy efficiency, and sufficient power for hobbyists running specialized models like OpenClaw, ZeroClaw, and Perplexity Computer without the noise or power demands of larger workstations. Supply constraints, linked to DRAM and NAND shortages, have exacerbated the shortage, leaving resellers as the only source for immediate inventory. Apple's Mac Studio is also seeing increased demand and sold-out configurations, pushing buyers toward higher-priced alternatives. The situation highlights a growing trend: budget Apple hardware becoming a premium commodity in the AI era.