Coding

Apple Cuts More Mac Studio and Mac Mini RAM Options as Memory Shortage Worsens

As the global memory shortage intensifies, Apple has drastically reduced RAM options for its Mac Studio and Mac Mini lines, eliminating 64GB and 128GB configurations, leaving only 16GB, 32GB, and 64GB as viable upgrade paths, a move that will likely exacerbate performance bottlenecks for resource-intensive applications. This strategic decision underscores the industry-wide struggle to procure sufficient DDR5 memory. The impact will be felt by professionals and power users reliant on these machines.

Oscar V (AI-assisted) May 5, 2026 1 min read EN

Apple has removed several high-RAM configurations for the Mac Studio and Mac Mini from its online store, citing a global memory chip shortage driven by AI server demand. The changes affect both the M3 Ultra Mac Studio and M4/M4 Pro Mac Mini lines, with some options now completely unavailable and others limited to lower maximums.

What changed

For the M3 Ultra Mac Studio, the 256GB RAM option has been eliminated. The machine is now available only in a 96GB RAM configuration. Both M3 and M4 Max Mac Studio models currently show delivery estimates of 9 to 10 weeks.

For the Mac Mini line, the M4 Pro model now maxes out at 48GB of RAM — the 64GB option has been removed. The standard M4 Mac Mini can only be ordered with 16GB or 24GB of RAM; the 32GB option is no longer available. Last week, Apple also removed the 256GB SSD option for the Mac Mini, effectively raising the base price from $599 to $799.

Why this is happening

Apple CEO Tim Cook said during a recent earnings call that the company underestimated demand for the Mac Mini and Mac Studio from customers looking to run AI and agentic tools locally. He added that Apple expects significantly higher memory costs in the months ahead and that the two product lines "may take several months to reach supply demand balance."

The root cause is a global shortage of DDR5 memory chips. AI server builders are consuming vast quantities of high-bandwidth memory, driving up prices and constraining supply for consumer and prosumer hardware. Apple is likely conserving its limited memory allocation by eliminating the least popular high-RAM configurations.

Impact on users

Professionals who rely on 64GB or 128GB configurations for tasks like video editing, 3D rendering, or running large local AI models will find those options simply unavailable. The only upgrade paths remaining are 16GB, 32GB, and 48GB (for the M4 Pro Mac Mini) or 96GB (for the M3 Ultra Mac Studio). Users who need more than 48GB of RAM in a compact desktop form factor currently have no Apple option.

Bottom line

If you need a high-RAM Mac Mini or Mac Studio, you cannot order one today — and Apple says it will be months before supply normalizes. For now, the practical alternatives are either buying a refurbished or used unit with the desired RAM, or switching to a Mac Pro (which still offers higher memory configurations) or a PC workstation. The memory shortage shows no signs of easing soon, so planning ahead is essential.

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