Apple has shared new details about its plan to manufacture the Mac mini in the United States, along with fresh photos and video from its Houston facility, where assembly will begin later this year. The company confirmed that Mac mini models will be built at the same campus where it already produces advanced AI servers, marking a broader expansion of its US manufacturing footprint.
The move builds on Apple’s earlier announcement about increasing server production in Texas. At the same time, the company said it is accelerating output of AI servers that power Apple Intelligence, signaling that hardware and artificial intelligence efforts will grow side by side at the Houston site.
As we reported earlier, in an interview with The Wall Street Journal, Apple Chief Operating Officer Sabih Khan shared context during a tour of a Foxconn facility in Houston, Texas.
“We’re very excited to tell you that later this year we will be beginning Mac mini manufacturing right here in this space,” Khan said.
Expansion in Houston
Apple CEO Tim Cook said the company is expanding its presence in the city while stepping up AI server production.
“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,” Cook said.
“We began shipping advanced AI servers from Houston ahead of schedule, and we’re excited to accelerate that work even further.”
The company added that bringing Mac mini assembly to Houston will double the size of the campus. Apple also plans to open a 20,000 square foot Advanced Manufacturing Center in the city later this year. The facility, which is still under construction, will provide hands-on training in advanced manufacturing techniques to students, supplier employees, and American businesses. Apple experts will teach the same processes used to build Apple products.
A broader US strategy
Apple currently manufactures most of its Mac lineup in Asia, including in China, Malaysia, Vietnam, and Thailand. It has built the Mac Pro in Austin, Texas, though that program faced challenges after its launch in 2013. The Mac mini remains a lower volume product compared to the MacBook Pro, MacBook Air, and iMac, but demand has increased as more users run AI software on desktop machines.
Apple said the Mac mini assembly strategy will likely mirror the Mac Pro approach, with US models built in Texas and versions for other markets produced in Asia. The company does not assemble high-volume products like the iPhone or iPad in the US, though some components, such as display glass, are sourced domestically.
Apple released multiple photos and a video tour of the Houston plant to highlight the expansion. The announcement also comes as Apple continues its broader US investment plans and strengthens its position in American manufacturing.
