Apple has announced that Foxconn will begin assembling some Mac mini computers at a factory in Houston, Texas later this year.
"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," said Apple CEO Tim Cook, in a press release.
Apple is also expanding AI server manufacturing at the Houston factory, and it is opening a new Advanced Manufacturing Center in the city later this year. The dedicated facility will "provide hands-on training in advanced manufacturing techniques to students, supplier employees, and American businesses of all sizes."
In an interview with The Wall Street Journal, Apple's operations chief Sabih Khan said U.S. assembly of some Mac mini units is part of the company's previously-announced commitment to invest $600 billion in the U.S. by August 2029.
Mac mini units assembled in the U.S. will primarily serve the U.S. market, while production will continue in Asia for orders abroad, according to Khan.
As the report notes, the Mac mini is a niche product for Apple, with research firm Consumer Intelligence Research Partners estimating that the desktop computer accounted for only 5% of Apple's global Mac sales last year. In 2024, the Mac mini received its first major redesign since 2010, along with M4 and M4 Pro chips.
In the U.S., the Mac mini starts at just $599, but customers must supply their own display, keyboard, and trackpad or mouse.
Apple touted assembly of the Mac Pro desktop tower in Texas in 2019, during U.S. President Donald Trump's first term, but it had been assembling the computer there since 2013. Apple's plan to begin assembling some Mac mini units in the U.S. comes during Trump's second term, and this time it does involve some assembly shifting stateside.
The Wall Street Journal also explored Apple's efforts to boost its U.S. chip production.
Watch on YouTubeApple said it is on track to purchase more than 100 million chips from TSMC's Arizona factory this year, and it has directed TSMC and Texas Instruments to purchase bare silicon wafers from GlobalWafers' new factory in Sherman, Texas.
Note: Due to the political or social nature of the discussion regarding this topic, the discussion thread is located in our Political News forum. All forum members and site visitors are welcome to read and follow the thread, but posting is limited to forum members with at least 100 posts.
