Project Update – Feb 2025

We want to provide a transparent update regarding the status of Expand Mac mini orders, the challenges we’re currently facing, and what you can expect moving forward.

 

Order Dispatch Status

We began dispatching orders on 17 February 2025. Since then, we’ve been shipping in small batches daily, moving away from our earlier approach of weekly dispatches. While this shift has improved order fulfilment, we acknowledge that the pace is still not where we want it to be. We are working to increase our dispatch rate in the coming weeks.

 

Key Challenges Affecting Fulfilment

Chinese New Year Impact

Our business formalisation coincided with the Chinese New Year holiday season, during which most factories and logistics companies shut down. This annual event typically causes a two-week halt in production. As a result, manufacturing could only resume at full capacity in mid-February, which affected order processing and fulfillment timelines.

 

NAND Chip Supply Chain Constraints

The primary challenge lies in sourcing NAND chips—the same ones used in Apple’s official Mac mini M4 and M4 Pro models. Only a limited number of vendors manufacture these chips, with Apple receiving priority supply. Although we’ve secured some supply through secondary channels, increased market demand has led to hoarding and speculative buying, creating supply shortages and price volatility.

This surge in demand has also resulted in a flood of counterfeit and substandard NAND chips in the market. To ensure product quality, we’ve implemented stricter vendor selection and component verification processes. Unfortunately, this means discarding a higher percentage of chips that fail our quality standards, increasing costs and extending lead times.

 

Pricing and Lead Times

Given these challenges, further price adjustments are likely. As the pass rate for quality NAND chips has decreased significantly, the cost of sourcing reliable components has risen. While we regret the need for price increases, they are necessary to maintain product standards and sustain operations.

Customers with existing orders are unaffected by future price changes. New orders will be subject to a dynamic pricing model based on supply chain conditions and quality control outcomes.

We have implemented a queuing system for new orders. Orders will be fulfilled in the order they were received, with some waiting time expected. If you have already placed an order, your place in the queue is secured.

 

Self-Service Order Management

To improve customer experience, we’ve introduced a self-service portal on the Expand Mac mini website. By signing up for an account and logging into the “My Account” section, you can:

• View order details

• Download receipts and invoices

• Cancel your order (before it has shipped)

Please note that cancellations are subject to a non-refundable credit card processing fee, which is charged by our payment providers (Stripe, PayPal, Revolut). These fees vary depending on location and payment method.

 

Why Choose Expand Mac mini?

We recognise that there are multiple options in the market, including sellers on platforms like AliExpress and eBay. Expand Mac mini may not be the largest or cheapest option, but we believe we offer distinct advantages:

Established Company: Expand Mac mini is a product of Fyde Innovations, an established company celebrating its 10th anniversary. We develop and ship products like FydeOS and the Fydetab Duo, with a proven track record of quality and reliability.

In-House Expertise: Every component of our SSDs is designed by us, including the PCB layout. Our team has deep technical knowledge, ensuring superior product quality.

Customer Support: We prioritise customer service. Our website offers direct chat support, a ticket system, and responsive email communication.

Transparency: We’ve been open about our journey, challenges, and solutions. Our goal is to keep customers informed every step of the way.

 

Moving Forward

We appreciate the patience and support of our customers as we navigate these challenges. Our priority remains delivering high-quality products while being transparent about timelines and costs.

Thank you for being part of this journey with us. We are committed to improving our processes and will continue to provide updates as we progress.