It's the Mac Mini's moment, thanks to the OpenClaw craze (www.businessinsider.com)

The Mac Mini is experiencing a surge in demand, largely driven by the rise of OpenClaw, an open-source AI agent that offers users a way to better manage their digital lives. Consumers are snapping up the compact computer at unprecedented rates, leading to extended wait times for specific models—especially those with higher memory configurations. This spike has left some retailers puzzled, with one employee even questioning if it’s connected to an AI trend, highlighting the influence of OpenClaw's increasing popularity. OpenClaw, developed by Peter Steinberger, is designed to autonomously organize schedules and execute various AI tasks, but it requires significant memory, which has led to a frenzy for Mac Minis equipped with ample RAM. With store inventories struggling to keep up and resellers capitalizing on the hype, the situation reflects a broader trend where versatile hardware is increasingly in demand due to the needs of local, resource-intensive applications like OpenClaw. As the AI and tech community watches this trend unfold, potential buyers may want to consider waiting for upcoming Mac releases, as new models are anticipated in 2026.