Apple Labor Day 2026 deals now live: AirPods Pro 3, M6 Mac mini, AirTag 2, iPhone, more [Updated]

A year ago, I observed a peculiar trend in the tech landscape: Apple was offering some of the most affordable value-for-money devices, most notably the Mac mini. The M4 model launched at R13,999 and often dropped to R11,999 on sale via Amazon.co.za, featuring a 10-core CPU, 10-core GPU, and 16GB of unified memory. However, its storage capacity was limited to 256GB.

Apple's new Mac mini takes a different approach. The upgraded model now starts at a higher price point of R17,699, equipped with an upgraded M6 chip boasting a 12-core CPU and 12-core GPU. Despite the increased cost, Apple maintained the base configuration with the same 16GB of unified memory and a modest 256GB storage drive.

In late 2026, it feels unjustifiable to ship such a premium device with such limited local storage, particularly given that the Mac mini is primarily marketed towards power users, such as video editors who can quickly fill a 256GB drive in a single day. Adding to the perplexity, Apple has downgraded the older M4 lineup, now starting at R24,499, which offers a more powerful 24GB memory and 512GB storage configuration.

The core strengths of the Mac mini remain unchanged. It continues to be a powerhouse capable of smooth 4K video editing, intensive photo processing, and multi-track audio engineering at rapid speeds with virtually no fan noise. Apple silicon makes these feats possible within a compact design that outperforms many competing Windows desktops.

However, this recent price increase raises questions about the buying decision. For casual users, it might be more sensible to consider the entry-level MacBook Neo, which starts at R13,999. The downside? Apple's cheapest laptop still only comes with a meager 8GB of memory.

In essence, Apple has blurred the buying decision by raising the desktop's entry price while simultaneously limiting its base laptop's RAM. This leaves prospective buyers facing a confusing array of compromises. The views expressed here are not necessarily reflective of IOL.