Apple’s pricing strategy has always been a topic of debate, but this time, the tech giant has done something unprecedented—it slashed prices after facing criticism for its confusing refurbished product pricing.
For years, Apple has rarely adjusted product prices based on customer feedback. However, after receiving widespread backlash over its pricing strategy for refurbished devices, the company made an exception. In response to criticism that its refurbished Mac mini M2 models were priced higher than the newer Mac mini M4, Apple quickly adjusted the prices to ensure that “older devices don’t cost more than newer ones.”
The controversy began when Apple listed a refurbished Mac mini M4 for $509, which was a 15% discount from the original price of $599. Yet, oddly enough, a refurbished Mac mini M2 with similar specifications was priced at $559—$50 more than the newer and more powerful M4 version. This pricing inconsistency raised eyebrows, especially since both models came with 256GB of internal storage and 16GB of RAM.
The root of the issue lies in Apple’s decision last year to increase the base RAM of the Mac mini from 8GB to 16GB without raising prices. Previously, upgrading to 16GB RAM on a Mac mini M2 required an extra cost, bringing the total price to $799. In contrast, the newer Mac mini M4 starts at just $599 with the same RAM configuration. Apple seemingly failed to adjust the pricing of its refurbished Mac mini M2 models to reflect this change, resulting in the strange scenario where older hardware was priced higher than its successor.
Following strong pushback from the tech community, Apple responded by slashing at least $100 off its refurbished Mac mini M2 models. As of this week, the updated pricing for refurbished Mac minis on Apple’s U.S. store is as follows:
- Mac mini M2 (256GB SSD, 8GB RAM): $319 (previously $419)
- Mac mini M2 (256GB SSD, 16GB RAM): $459 (previously $559)
- Mac mini M4 (256GB SSD, 16GB RAM): $509
This pricing adjustment makes much more sense, ensuring that older Mac mini models remain a viable option—especially with the base Mac mini M2 now available for just over $300. It is also one of the rare occasions where Apple quickly revised its pricing after receiving negative feedback from customers.
The big question remains: Does this mark a shift in Apple’s approach to customer feedback, or is it just a one-time fix for an obvious pricing blunder? Regardless, bargain hunters looking for an affordable Mac mini will undoubtedly benefit from Apple’s rare price correction.
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