The stock of higher-tier models of Mac Studio and Mac mini is swiftly declining due to escalating supply issues and the likelihood of an M5 upgrade approaching. Numerous configurations are presently labeled as “currently unavailable” on the Apple Store, blocking customers from placing orders. This encompasses the M4 Mac mini with 32 GB RAM and at least two variants of Mac Studio.
Recently, sources have reported that the M3 Ultra Mac Studio featuring 256 GB RAM faced backorders extending until August or September, with shipping delays estimated at 4-5 months. However, within a week, supply has diminished to the point where Apple is no longer accepting orders for this variant. Furthermore, the M4 Max Mac Studio with 128 GB RAM is also out of stock, along with the M4 Mac mini equipped with 32 GB RAM. An update indicates that the Mac mini with M4 Pro and 64 GB RAM is now similarly labeled as ‘currently unavailable.’
A designation of “Currently Unavailable” often implies that the product may soon be entirely removed from the configurator, as noted with the 512 GB Mac Studio choice in March. While other models of Mac mini and Mac Studio still remain for sale, delivery timelines are discouraging. M3 Ultra Mac Studio models are quoting shipping periods of at least five weeks, meanwhile Mac mini purchasers encounter delays ranging from one month to three months, contingent on RAM and SSD storage configurations.
This scenario might signal a strong indication that an M5 upgrade for Mac mini and Mac Studio is about to happen. However, it remains uncertain whether this is genuinely the case or if Apple is experiencing the same RAM and storage shortages impacting the wider computing sector. Apple executives are anticipated to discuss these exceptional situations during the forthcoming quarterly earnings call on April 30.