Skip to content
logo The magazine for digital lifestyle and entertainment
Apple Computer News All topics
Studio and Mini

RAM Crisis Hits Apple: 5-Month Wait for Mac Models

Apple Mac Mini on Desk
The popular Mac mini is not available for delivery in certain configurations until late summer. Photo: Future Publishing via Getty Images
Share article
Adrian Mühlroth

April 7, 2026, 2:36 pm | Read time: 3 minutes

Apple has so far seemed relatively unfazed by the global memory crisis driving up prices for RAM and SSD storage. Despite the AI-driven data center boom, the costs for memory upgrades in the recently introduced MacBooks have remained stable. However, issues with device delivery were already emerging. Now, the shortages are also affecting two Macs that have been on the market for some time.

While Apple has managed to maintain memory prices for MacBooks and Macs, the memory crisis is now catching up with devices already established in the market. This mainly affects variants of the Mac mini and Mac Studio with upgraded RAM. Unlike standard configurations, these are typically not available immediately but are made to order. Depending on the model, delivery times are delayed by several weeks to several months.

Upgrades Drive Up Delivery Times

According to “MacRumors,” Apple’s online store currently lists delivery times of up to five months for many configurations with larger RAM. This affects customers in both the U.S. and Germany.

We checked: A Mac mini with M4 Pro and 64 GB RAM currently has a delivery time of 16 to 18 weeks. Even more affordable variants are affected. The base model with M4 and 16 GB RAM is not available for about a month.

Also of interest: Apple announces WWDC26 – these are the innovations we expect

Delivery times are also extending for variants with more mass storage. While the Mac mini in the standard configuration is still deliverable by the end of April, the timeframe increases to a month for models with one terabyte of storage. For the variant with the more powerful M4 Pro chip, a storage upgrade results in a delivery time of two months.

More on the topic

Mac Studio Also Significantly Delayed

Similar shortages are evident with the Mac Studio. A RAM upgrade delays delivery by several weeks. In the highest RAM configurations–M4 Max with 128 GB and M3 Ultra with 256 GB–the delivery time, like the Mac mini, is four to five months. In some cases, in-store pickup is not possible until September.

Since last month, the Mac Studio with 512 GB RAM has not been available at all. Apple has not yet provided a reason for this, but the exorbitant memory costs likely play a role.

No Short-Term Relief

According to “TrendForce,” there are indications that memory chip prices have recently stabilized or slightly decreased. Nevertheless, they remain above the long-term average. Therefore, no short-term relief in delivery times for high-performance Mac models is expected.

This article is a machine translation of the original German version of TECHBOOK and has been reviewed for accuracy and quality by a native speaker. For feedback, please contact us at info@techbook.de.

You have successfully withdrawn your consent to the processing of personal data through tracking and advertising when using this website. You can now consent to data processing again or object to legitimate interests.