Ordering a Mac mini or Mac Studio with a large amount of RAM right now means waiting until fall. Apple is facing severe delivery delays: some configurations in the U.S. online store promise shipping only in 4–5 months. The culprit is a global memory chip shortage triggered by the race for AI computing power. Add to that the unexpectedly growing popularity of Mac mini for AI agents, and the picture becomes more complete.
Mac Mini and Mac Studio hit massive delivery backlogs due to catastrophic memory shortage
Mac mini and Mac Studio Delivery Times in 2026
According to MacRumors, delivery times for many Mac mini and Mac Studio configurations with increased RAM have stretched to several months. It’s no surprise, as these are ideal computers for running AI agents. Here are specific examples:
- Mac mini with M4 Pro chip and 64 GB of RAM — shipping in 16–18 weeks, or approximately four months.
- Mac Studio with M3 Ultra chip and 256 GB of RAM — delivery in 4–5 months, in-store pickup unavailable until September.
- Even the base model Mac mini at $599 with the M4 chip and 16 GB of RAM is delayed by a month.
The situation affects not only top-end builds: even the entry-level configuration is no longer available “here and now.”
Causes of the DRAM Memory Chip Shortage
The global memory chip shortage has affected Apple computer deliveries
The reason for the delays is not a problem on Apple’s side, but a global shortage of RAM chips. Demand for memory has surged sharply due to companies mass-building servers for artificial intelligence tasks. These servers require enormous amounts of RAM, and chip manufacturers simply cannot keep up with the needs of all customers simultaneously.
Apple publicly responded to rising memory chip prices as early as January 2026. And in March, the company outright removed the Mac Studio configuration with 512 GB of RAM from sale — apparently, it became impossible to ensure supply of that capacity.
Mac mini or Mac Studio: What to Choose During the Memory Shortage
Formally, delays affect both product lines, but the scale of the problem differs. The base version of the Mac mini is delayed by “only” a month — unpleasant, but manageable. However, the Mac Studio with maximum memory will have to be waited for until fall, and even picking it up from the store in person won’t be possible before September.
If you need a configuration with a large amount of memory, you may have to search hard for it
The logic is simple: the more memory in the configuration, the longer the wait. This is a direct consequence of the shortage — high-capacity modules are the hardest to source.
For those choosing between Mac mini and Mac Studio, there is now another deciding factor: delivery times. If the task doesn’t require an Ultra chip and hundreds of gigabytes of memory, the Mac mini with M4 Pro may turn out to be not only cheaper but also more readily available.
When Will RAM Prices Drop
According to available data, memory chip prices have begun to stabilize or decline slightly, but they still remain significantly above historical averages. This means a quick return to normal delivery times should not be expected.
MacRumors directly states: shipping times for top-end Mac mini and Mac Studio configurations may not improve any time soon. If you need a computer by a specific date — for example, for a work project or a studio — delaying your order is risky.
Should You Buy a Mac mini or Mac Studio Now
If you were planning to purchase a Mac mini or Mac Studio with an increased amount of RAM — for video editing, 3D work, music production, or development — it makes sense to place your order as soon as possible. Interestingly, this problem hasn’t been observed in Russia yet. Shipments to the country don’t come directly from Apple, and there is a small stock of computers in the country, but it’s still worth being prepared.
Even the Mac mini M4 is facing delays
If a base Mac mini configuration with 16 GB of RAM is sufficient for your everyday tasks, the situation is less critical: a one-month delay is unpleasant but not catastrophic.
Owners of already purchased Mac mini and Mac Studio units have nothing to worry about — the memory shortage does not affect the operation of already acquired devices. But for those eyeing a purchase, it’s worth noting: the usual “ordered today — received in a week” pattern is currently not working, and it’s unknown when it will return.
