- Apple has recalled more Mac models
- Mac minis and Mac Studios now available in fewer configurations
- The fault lies with the AI and the associated lack of memory
With demand for AI data centers eating up the world’s supply of RAM, consumers are feeling the effects: Having removed some Mac Studio and Mac mini configurations from its store last month, Apple has now narrowed the available options even further.
As discovered by MacRumors, you can no longer buy Mac mini models with 32GB or 64GB of RAM, while the M3 Ultra Mac Studio with 256GB of RAM has also been withdrawn from sale, so right now that particular computer is only available with 96GB of RAM.
Meanwhile, both the M3 Mac Studio and M4 Max Mac Studio show delivery estimates of 9 to 10 weeks. Even if the configuration you want can be purchased through the store, you may have to wait a long time.
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As for the Mac minis, you are left with a choice of 48 GB of RAM for the M4 Pro model and 16 GB or 24 GB for the standard M4 version. The 256GB SSD storage option has also been removed in recent weeks, increasing the starting price.
‘Supply-demand balance’
Apple’s outgoing CEO Tim Cook has gone on record to say that “the Mac mini and Mac Studio may take several months to reach a balance between supply and demand,” and Cook specifically cited artificial intelligence and agent tools as the reasons these computers are in such demand.
These Macs are being squeezed in two ways: Not only are they ideal for running AI models and software, increasing their popularity, but the same demand for AI processing power is also significantly reducing the memory reserves within these computers.
And there are no signs of the situation improving any time soon. Major players in the business have warned that it will take some time before supply recovers, which is not encouraging for availability and pricing going forward.
The online reaction has been understandably negative: “I’ve come to despise AI,” one Redditor admits, while other commenters want more to be done to limit the number of machines that can be purchased at once (most commonly for large, complex AI projects).
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