Apple reportedly set to unveil new Mac mini soon

Apple is reportedly set to unveil a new Mac mini desktop computer in the coming days, ahead of the company's annual September product launch series, sources have told Bloomberg's Mark Gurman. The new device is likely to be the last new product launch under CEO Tim Cook, who is set to step down on 1 September. Cook highlighted the growing demand for Mac mini as a powerful platform for running AI applications locally during the company's last earnings call in July.

The Mac mini is one of several upcoming Apple products, which also include the iPhone 18 Pro, foldable smartphone, new Apple Watch, AirPods, smart home device, Apple TV set-top box, HomePod mini, and a refreshed iPad mini with an OLED screen. The memory chip shortage has impacted Apple's consumer device development, leading to price hikes for several products, including Macs and iPads.

Apple has attributed the rapid expansion of AI data centers as the reason for the significant surge in demand for memory and storage. The company has not seen such a price increase this quickly or significantly. Apple's Mac mini has faced challenges with delivery times often taking weeks or months. To address this, the new advanced manufacturing center in Houston will begin assembling Mac minis "later this year".