RAM crisis as a possible reason: Mac mini and Mac Studio hard to get
Even standard configurations of Apple's compact desktops are currently only available after weeks. Either new models are coming or Apple has RAM problems.
Mac mini M4 with accessories.
(Image: Apple)
Anyone interested in the current variants of Mac mini M4 and Mac Studio M3 Ultra or Mac Studio M4 Max will have to wait at Apple. A look at the company's online store shows that, for example, you have to wait about three weeks for the cheapest Mac mini with 16 GB RAM and 256 GB SSD, depending on the pickup method. The same applies to other configurations such as the variant with M4 Pro.
Patience required for small Macs
With the Mac Studio, you need even more patience. Those who want the entry-level version with M4 Max, 36 GB RAM and 512 GB SSD will have to wait until the end of May or the beginning of June. However, you can sometimes be lucky and find standard configurations in the Apple Store. A look at the heise price comparison can also be worthwhile, as retailers still have stock.
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It is unclear what is causing the delivery delays. Usually, these in a later cycle of the devices suggest that fresh products are imminent. The current incarnations of Mac Studio and Mac mini were launched in March and November 2025, respectively. It is expected that M5 variants will appear later this year, but there have been no recent rumors that this will happen soon. Therefore, it is also conceivable as a second reason that the RAM crisis is now affecting Apple – even though Apple relies on large and long-term supply contracts here.
One RAM variant already discontinued
The availability problems in other regions are apparently even greater; in the USA, for example, one has to wait up to 18 weeks for a Mac mini M4. Apple had already removed the 512 GB RAM variant of the Mac Studio from its lineup in March, likely in response to the RAM crisis. The company relies on SoCs in all its Apple Silicon machines, where RAM, CPU, and GPU are integrated into a System-on-a-Chip module. However, this does not free Apple from the need to procure RAM modules for these SoCs.
Due to the AI boom and a decreasing number of RAM manufacturers, there have been massive price increases for memory modules since last year. Apple has been able to compensate for this so far by reducing its internal margins. For example, the MacBook Neo is considered a bargain, even though it only has 8 GB of RAM. However, this is mainly due to the use of the A18 Pro from the iPhone. The SoC is designed for this RAM size.
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