Demand for the Mac Mini is surging — and Apple just raised the starting price from $599 to $799 (www.businessinsider.com)

Apple has increased the starting price of the Mac Mini from $599 to $799, a notable shift prompted by a significant rise in demand driven by AI applications. The model previously positioned as the "most affordable Mac" has seen its base version disappear from the website, leaving a higher entry price for new customers. The 512GB variant retains its previous pricing, but the overall entry point for the compact computer has effectively risen. CEO Tim Cook attributed this unexpected surge in demand to the Mac Mini's strong performance as a platform for AI and agentic tools, particularly following its popularity with tech enthusiasts using the OpenClaw autonomous AI agent. Cook noted during a recent earnings call that customer awareness and recognition of the Mac Mini's capabilities have accelerated more quickly than anticipated. He warned that it could take "several months" for supply to catch up with the heightened demand, indicating the growing significance of AI-driven technology in consumer hardware markets.