Apple has removed the most affordable configuration of the Mac mini (2024) from sale — the model with 16 GB of unified memory and a 256 GB drive. The version has disappeared both from Apple Store inventory and from the standard configurations section on the official website. Against the backdrop of this decision, there is growing discussion about rising memory prices in Apple devices — and the Mac mini is no exception.
Now the Mac mini also starts at 512 GB
Which Mac mini M4 Version Has Disappeared from Sale
We’re talking about the entry-level Mac mini configuration with the M4 chip: 16 GB of unified memory and a 256 GB SSD. This version hadn’t been available at Apple Store retail locations for a while, and major retailers had already marked it as “sales ended.” Now Apple has officially removed it from the specifications page as well.
The 256 GB version no longer appears on Apple Store pages
The remaining Mac mini (2024) configurations — with larger SSD options and M4 Pro versions — are still available.
Why Apple Dropped the 256 GB Version
There’s no official explanation, but the logic is clear. 256 GB for a modern Mac is very little: the operating system, basic applications, and a couple of heavy programs eat up a significant portion of the storage right from the start. Buyers increasingly opted for configurations with 512 GB and above, while the 256 GB version remained a showcase option designed to attract buyers with its appealing price tag.
Additionally, the entry-level Mac mini (2024) had a technical difference from the higher-end models: the internal layout and SSD configuration differed between M4 and M4 Pro models. Apparently, Apple decided to simplify the lineup.
What Tasks Is the 256 GB Mac mini Suited For
Many people bought the minimal “mini” and supplemented it with an external SSD. Now that budget-saving trick won’t work
If you were considering the Mac mini in its cheapest configuration, there are two scenarios:
- Look for remaining stock from local sellers and gray market imports while they’re still available;
- Go straight for the 512 GB version — it will be the next base option.
Chasing the 256 GB model to save money only makes sense in very narrow scenarios: if the Mac mini is being used as a media player, home server, or secondary computer where the main storage is an external drive or network-attached storage. For a daily work Mac, 256 GB is a compromise you’ll quickly regret.
For basic scenarios, the Mac mini remains one of the most affordable Macs
Which Mac mini to Buy Now
The most affordable Mac mini configuration is now the model with 16 GB of memory and a 512 GB SSD. In the US, it costs $799 — approximately 86,000 ₽ in Russia by rough conversion. Actual prices from Russian sellers will be higher due to logistics and markups.
Looking at the bigger picture, Mac mini M4 owners have three reasonable paths:
- Get the 512 GB version and put the storage question to rest for a couple of years.
- Buy the minimum available configuration and live with an external SSD via USB-C — a workable option, but with compromises in speed and convenience.
- Wait for the next-generation chip lineup update, if the need isn’t urgent.
Apple Is Changing Mac Prices Without a Direct Price Increase
Even after the hidden price increase, the Mini remains one of the most compelling options on the market
Apple is gradually phasing out the most modest memory configurations from its lineup. Previously, a similar fate befell MacBook Air and iMac versions with 256 GB — the company raised the starting capacity to 512 GB. Now the same logic has reached the Mac mini. The good news is that the new base storage is adequate for 2026 tasks. The bad news — the entry-level price has effectively gone up.
If you’ve been eyeing the Mac mini in its cheapest configuration and you see it in stock at the old price — yes, it makes sense to grab it while supplies last. In all other cases, it’s much wiser to go straight for the 512 GB version: the extra cost isn’t critical, and you start with more storage headroom. Buying 256 GB “just to have a Mac” in 2026 is a path to quick disappointment and buying an external drive a couple of months later.
