On March 18, as the OpenClaw AI agent, known for its “lobster farming” capabilities, gained widespread global attention, the Apple Mac mini—a device perfectly suited for this innovative use case—quickly became a highly coveted piece of hardware. This surge in demand resulted in a market shortage, with retail prices soaring nearly a thousand yuan above the standard rate. In response to this trend, Taobao’s 10-Billion-Yuan Subsidy program launched a dedicated “lobster farming hardware” promotion on the same day, offering exclusive discounts on multiple compatible models that were in stock. This move directly tackled the issue of inflated prices, providing consumers with more affordable access to the technology.
