Macworld
Apple surprised us all by announcing a new Mac mini this week with an M6 processor and a higher price tag than the comparable M4 model it replaces. But if you’re one of the lucky people who had ordered one ahead of the announcement, you might be in line for a free upgrade.
The M4 Mac mini had been backordered for months, so this new model will hopefully offer some relief. While it’s not available until September 22, Apple’s online ordering system still guarantees you’ll get it on that date, even with the highest memory and storage options. That’s about a month earlier than some of the longest estimates for the previous M4 model.
So naturally, anyone who had an M4 on backorder would want to upgrade to the new model. The good news is you don’t have to—Apple is already doing it for you.
Numerous accounts on social media have shared an email from Apple regarding their M4 Mac mini orders:
Thank you for your recent Mac order. We know you’re looking forward to receiving your purchase.
As you may know, Apple recently announced the new Mac mini. Since your order has yet to ship, we automatically upgraded you to the new Mac mini at no additional cost.
The “no additional cost” bit is important. With the M6 Mac mini, Apple has raised prices by $100, so these buyers are essentially getting a $100 discount on a new M6. Not only will the machine be much faster, but it’ll also be a better value.
It’s not clear how far Apple is going back to offer upgrades. The usual policy is to offer refunds within a 14-day period, but some purchases have been backordered for much longer. So if you have an M4 on backorder and haven’t heard from Apple, reach out to the store. They may have a surprise waiting for you.