Apple will commence assembling its Mac mini desktop computer in Houston, Texas, later this year, a move announced February 24, 2026, as part of a broader commitment to invest $600 billion in the U.S. By August 2029. The assembly will take place at a Foxconn facility that currently manufactures Apple’s AI servers, with a portion of a roughly 2-hectare site being converted for Mac mini production, according to reports in The Wall Street Journal.
The decision to shift some Mac mini production to the U.S. Comes during a second term for President Donald Trump, echoing a similar announcement in 2019 regarding the Mac Pro. However, Apple’s previous foray into U.S. Assembly of the Mac Pro, initiated in 2013, faced challenges, and the company has since focused more on the Mac Studio. Apple CEO Tim Cook stated, “Apple is deeply committed to the future of American manufacturing, and we’re proud to significantly expand our footprint in Houston with the production of Mac mini starting later this year.”
While Apple is expanding its manufacturing presence in Houston, including a new Advanced Manufacturing Center offering training in advanced manufacturing techniques, the company intends to continue producing Mac minis in Asia to serve international markets. Apple’s operations chief, Sabih Khan, indicated that the U.S.-assembled units will primarily be for the domestic market. This strategy mirrors the approach taken with the Mac Pro, which is assembled in the U.S. For domestic sales while continuing to be produced in Asia for export.
The Mac mini represents a relatively small portion of Apple’s overall Mac sales, accounting for approximately 5% of global Mac sales in the last year, according to estimates from Consumer Intelligence Research Partners. Despite its niche status, the Mac mini has garnered attention recently, with a starting price of $599, appealing to consumers interested in utilizing AI software. Rumors suggest the product is slated to receive a processor upgrade this year.
Apple’s move to increase domestic production is seen by some as a response to pressure from the Trump administration to increase investment in the U.S., and to avoid potential tariffs on products manufactured overseas. The company’s $600 billion investment pledge followed threats of a 25 percent tariff on imported goods. While a significant portion of that investment is not directly tied to expanding domestic production, the Mac mini assembly represents a tangible step toward fulfilling that commitment. Analysts suggest Apple’s responsiveness to the Trump administration has helped the company avoid substantial tariff burdens and pricing pressures.
The announcement of the Mac mini production shift was notably less public than the 2019 event involving the Mac Pro and President Trump. Apple has not announced plans to move assembly of popular products like the iPhone or iPad to the U.S., although component supplier Corning manufactures iPhone display components domestically.
