We reported earlier today that the lead times for new Apple Mac mini and Mac Studio devices are now extending well into H2 2026. Interestingly, Apple's planned obsolescence for the M4 chip-based products might have something to do with these stretched shipment timelines, with the ongoing memory-driven upheaval playing little to no role in this calculus.
It's not just memory-driven upheaval that is preventing you from getting your hands on new Apple Mac mini and Mac Studio devices
If you try to order a new Mac mini or Mac Studio device from Apple today, chances are you likely won't be able to get your hands on those devices until August or September.
For the benefit of those who might not be aware, Apple is expected to unveil the M5 chip-based Mac mini and Mac Studio devices in the next few months, possibly by summer. In anticipation, Apple has deliberately curtailed the production of M4-based Mac mini and Mac Studio devices, leading to stretched lead times.
Why, you might ask. Well, these Apple devices sport unified memory, which is basically a pool of memory that is shared between the CPU and the GPU. As a result, Apple soldered DRAM onto the SoC package, making their subsequent separation a cost-prohibitive step.
From Apple's perspective, if it makes too many M4-based Mac mini and Mac Studio devices and then fails to sell every single one before the M5-based products make their debut, the precious memory resources within the now-obsolete M4-based Mac mini and Mac Studio would have to be wasted.
Essentially, the broader upheaval in the memory sphere has little to no role in the stretched lead times for these products. This makes a lot of sense, especially as Apple is reportedly already buying up DRAM in copious amounts, precluding any product shipment delays due to a shortage of memory resources.
About the author: Writing is my one incontrovertible passion. Over the past six years, he has authored over 2,200 distinct articles on financial and tech-related topics, spanning nearly 1 million words. And he has been a member of Wcctech mobile team since 2025. As an alumnus of the University of Toronto, Rotman Commerce Program, I bring nuance, in-depth knowledge, and a unique perspective to every topic that I cover. When I'm not writing, I'm traveling the world, exploring hidden confectionaries and restaurants as an aspiring food connoisseur.
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