Sites show conflicting restock dates

The Mac mini is once again in short supply, observers point out. At the Best Buy US website the device is now listed as backordered, with a shipping time of one to two weeks, although pick-up should be possible at some stores. Amazon UK is also listing the computer as backordered, though with a specific resupply date of July 5th.

The shortages support the notion that updated Mac minis may be imminent. As new hardware approaches, Apple tends to slow and then cease production of the previous generation. The widespread expectation for the Mini, however, is a late July or early August launch date.

Apple could be holding off on a refresh in order to preload systems with Mac OS X Lion. In any case new machines should adopt Intel's Sandy Bridge platform, as well as the 10Gbps Thunderbolt port standard. The Mini was last updated in June 2010.

By Electronista Staff