"Farming Lobsters" Heats Up Mac mini! Hangzhou and Shanghai Face Citywide Shortages, Used Prices on E-commerce Platforms Exceed New Machine Prices

Recently, the popularity of OpenClaw has made Apple series consoles scarce, especially the more affordable Mac mini. There are reports that the Mac mini (M4 version) is currently the most cost-effective “shrimp farming” console, leading to shortages across multiple channels.

Image source: Official website screenshot

Out of stock becomes common, online second-hand prices surpass new units

On March 10, Caixin checked the Apple official website and found that all versions of Mac mini are still available for order, but with longer delivery times of 2 to 3 weeks, with the earliest delivery estimated around March 25. Other models, such as Mac Studio, are in stock and can be shipped immediately, with delivery within one day.

In physical stores, an employee at the Apple West Lake store told Caixin that Mac mini shortages are widespread. It is known that Apple’s direct stores in Hangzhou and Shanghai are facing shortages, with no specific restock dates available. Authorized Apple dealers also gave similar responses. An employee at an authorized store in Hangzhou mentioned that Mac mini has been out of stock for about a month and remains unavailable citywide, with no restock notifications.

On online e-commerce platforms like JD.com and Taobao, Mac mini is still available but at higher prices. The second-hand M4 version Mac mini (16+256GB) can sell for up to 6,419 yuan, while the official price for the M4 version Mac mini (16+256GB) is 4,499 yuan.

Apple M-series chips become a key advantage

It is reported that the popularity of OpenClaw has driven strong sales of Mac mini, partly because Mac mini is relatively inexpensive and macOS has better compatibility with OpenClaw at the system level.

According to JiJie News, amid rising global memory prices, it’s difficult to find other devices that offer the same local AI computing power and energy efficiency as Apple’s M-series chips. The M chips’ unique unified memory architecture greatly reduces data transfer overhead, making it smoother and more stable to run AI agents like OpenClaw that require coordination among multiple components, all while consuming very low power. Additionally, compared to Windows devices, macOS has higher compatibility with OpenClaw. For many non-technical users, choosing Mac mini can lower deployment barriers and simplify ongoing maintenance.

Caixin also inquired with several vendors providing OpenClaw deployment services, most of whom responded that there is little difference between deploying on Mac and Windows systems. The M4 version Mac mini is somewhat better, mainly because users needing to deploy large local models will benefit from its better performance, ensuring smoother operation.

Regarding the current shortage of Mac mini in the market, Apple’s official customer service responded to Caixin on March 10, stating, “We have not received recent reports of fluctuations in Mac mini sales, and we are unaware of claims that the M4 version Mac mini is currently the most cost-effective ‘shrimp farming’ host.”

Public information shows that Mac mini is the lowest-priced product in Apple’s Mac computer lineup, aimed at reaching a broader audience. However, this product line is relatively less well-known. According to Consumer Intelligence Research Partners, by 2025, Mac mini sales are expected to account for less than 5% of Apple’s total Mac computer sales worldwide, and only 1% of overall revenue. This long-peripheral product has unexpectedly become a market focus due to the AI technology boom.