Apple has introduced a new generation of its compact Mac mini desktop, bringing the company’s latest M6 chip to the entry-level model and adding a more powerful M5 Pro option for professional users. The updated Mac mini keeps the familiar small desktop design of the previous generation, but Apple has made substantial changes inside the machine, particularly in processing power, graphics, AI performance, storage speeds and connectivity.

The new Mac mini with M6 starts at $899 in the US and comes with 16GB of unified memory and 256GB of storage. Apple has opened pre-orders, while deliveries and retail availability are scheduled to begin on September 22, 2026. A higher-end Mac mini powered by the M5 Pro starts at $1,699 and offers considerably more memory, storage and processing headroom.

New Mac mini gets Apple’s M6 chip

The biggest change in the new Mac mini is the arrival of Apple’s M6 processor. The base model moves beyond the M4 generation and now features a 12-core CPU and 12-core GPU. That compares with the 10-core CPU and 10-core GPU found in the previous M4-based configuration.

Apple says the M6 Mac mini can deliver up to 40% faster CPU performance, while graphics and storage performance can reach twice the speed of the previous-generation M4 model. The company is putting particular emphasis on artificial intelligence, claiming that AI performance can be up to four times faster.

The M6 is also Apple’s first chip built using a 2nm manufacturing process, and it introduces a different CPU arrangement. The processor combines two high-performance “super” cores, four performance cores and six efficiency cores. This allows the chip to balance demanding workloads with lighter background tasks while maintaining Apple’s focus on power efficiency.

For everyday users, the performance increase should be useful for tasks such as web browsing, office applications, photo editing and multitasking. More demanding users can benefit from the additional CPU and GPU resources when working with creative applications, coding tools and local AI workloads.

M6 focuses heavily on AI performance

Artificial intelligence is one of the central themes behind Apple’s latest Mac mini. The M6 brings Neural Accelerators to every GPU core, helping the machine handle AI-related workloads more efficiently.

Apple has also introduced a dual 16-core Neural Engine in the M6. The company says the Neural Engine is up to twice as fast as the previous generation, while the overall system can provide up to four times the AI performance of the M4 Mac mini.

These improvements are particularly relevant as more applications begin using AI directly on the computer instead of depending entirely on cloud servers. Apple has highlighted the new Mac mini as a machine suitable for “agentic” AI workflows, where software agents can perform multi-step tasks locally.

The Mac mini has already attracted attention from technology enthusiasts interested in running AI models and agents on local hardware. Earlier Mac mini models became popular for applications such as OpenClaw and Hermes, contributing to higher demand for the compact desktop.

Apple’s own performance comparisons also point to significant improvements in local AI tasks. The company says the M6 model can process prompts in LM Studio up to 13.5 times faster than an M1 Mac mini and up to 4.8 times faster than an M4 model, although these figures are Apple’s own test results and should not be treated as independent benchmark results.

Mac mini M5 Pro targets professional users

Apple is also offering a more powerful version of the new Mac mini with its M5 Pro chip. Interestingly, the M5 Pro model is positioned above the newer M6 configuration because Apple’s Pro-class chip is designed for heavier professional workloads.

The entry-level M5 Pro Mac mini comes with 24GB of unified memory and 512GB of storage. Its processor includes a 15-core CPU and 16-core GPU. Buyers can configure the system with an 18-core CPU and 20-core GPU for even more processing power.

Memory can be expanded to 64GB, while storage can reach 8TB. The M5 Pro also provides up to 307GB/s of memory bandwidth, giving demanding applications faster access to shared system memory.

The M5 Pro configuration is aimed at users working with demanding creative applications, software development, professional media production and more intensive AI workloads. Its GPU also includes Neural Accelerators, enhanced shader capabilities and third-generation ray tracing.

For users who need a compact computer but do not want to move up to a Mac Studio, the M5 Pro Mac mini could offer a useful middle ground between Apple’s mainstream desktop and its professional workstation-class machines.

Faster storage and improved connectivity

Apple has upgraded more than just the processors. Both new Mac mini models feature storage that is up to twice as fast as the previous generation.

Networking has also received an upgrade. The new computers support Wi-Fi 7 and Bluetooth 6 through Apple’s N1 wireless chip. Wired networking now starts with 2.5Gb Ethernet, compared with the 1Gb Ethernet connection used on the previous generation. Users who require even faster wired networking can configure either model with a 10Gb Ethernet connection.

The new connectivity options should be particularly useful for people transferring large files across local networks, working with network-attached storage or using the Mac mini as a server or always-on computer.

Apple has also added Genlock support over USB-C, a feature aimed more directly at professional video workflows. Genlock can help synchronize video equipment and displays precisely, which can be important for production environments and multi-device video setups.

Port selection remains familiar

Despite the internal upgrades, Apple has retained the compact design and broadly familiar port arrangement.

The M6 Mac mini includes three Thunderbolt 4 ports on the back, along with HDMI and Ethernet. There are also two USB-C ports and a headphone jack on the front.

The M5 Pro model steps up to three Thunderbolt 5 ports, giving professional users greater bandwidth for compatible accessories and storage devices.

Both versions continue to support multiple external displays. The new Mac mini can natively connect to up to three external displays, making it suitable for users who prefer a multi-monitor desktop setup.

The overall enclosure remains similar to the previous Mac mini rather than receiving a major external redesign. Apple continues to offer the computer in silver.

16GB RAM and 256GB storage on the base model

The $899 entry-level Mac mini comes with 16GB of unified memory and 256GB of storage. The M6 version can be configured with up to 32GB of memory and up to 2TB of storage.

The M5 Pro starts at 24GB of unified memory and 512GB of storage, with configuration options reaching 64GB of memory and 8TB of storage.

The 256GB base storage capacity may be enough for users who primarily work with cloud storage or external drives, but buyers planning to install large applications, store video files or work with local AI models may want to consider a higher-capacity configuration.

That is especially relevant because Apple does not provide user-upgradable internal storage after purchase. Choosing the appropriate storage capacity at checkout is therefore important for buyers who expect their needs to grow over time.

New Mac mini pricing

The new M6 Mac mini starts at $899 in the United States. The education price is $799. The M5 Pro model starts at $1,699, with an education price of $1,599.

The starting price represents a noticeable increase compared with the original launch price of the previous M4 Mac mini. The M4 model originally debuted at $599 with 16GB of memory and 256GB of storage. Apple later increased its pricing, with the comparable configuration reaching $799 before the M6 launch.

That means the new M6 Mac mini costs $300 more than the original M4 launch price, although the difference from the most recent $799 price is $100.

Apple’s pricing comes at a time when demand for memory and storage components has increased, partly due to the rapid expansion of AI infrastructure. The higher price could make the new Mac mini less attractive to buyers who previously viewed it as Apple’s most affordable desktop option.

At the same time, the additional processing power could make the system more appealing to developers and AI enthusiasts who are willing to pay for stronger local computing performance.

macOS 27 and new Siri AI features

The new Mac mini will ship with macOS 27, Apple’s latest desktop operating system. The software also brings the next generation of Apple Intelligence features, including the company’s updated Siri AI experience.

This software direction fits closely with Apple’s push toward on-device AI. The combination of the M6’s Neural Engine, Neural Accelerators and unified memory gives developers and users more resources for running AI features directly on the computer.

Local processing can also offer benefits for privacy and responsiveness because certain workloads do not have to be sent to remote servers. However, exactly how useful these capabilities will be depends on the applications and AI models available to Mac users.

Mac mini becomes more important for local AI

The updated Mac mini arrives at a time when interest in local AI computing is increasing. Instead of relying exclusively on expensive cloud services, developers and enthusiasts are increasingly experimenting with running AI agents and models on their own computers.

The compact size of the Mac mini makes it particularly interesting for this type of use. It can remain on a desk continuously, consume relatively little physical space and provide access to Apple’s unified-memory architecture.

This growing interest has already affected demand for earlier Mac mini models. TechCrunch reported that some users were reselling the machines at higher prices on platforms such as eBay as demand increased.

The M6 version could further strengthen that trend because Apple is explicitly positioning its latest chip around AI performance.

Apple also updates the Mac Studio

The Mac mini was not the only desktop Apple announced. The company also refreshed the Mac Studio, moving it to M5 Max and M5 Ultra processors.

The M5 Max Mac Studio starts at $2,499 with 36GB of unified memory and 512GB of storage. The M5 Ultra version starts at $5,499, with 96GB of unified memory and 1TB of storage.

The Mac Studio is aimed at professionals who need substantially more computing resources than the Mac mini provides. The two product lines therefore target different groups, with the Mac mini serving mainstream and enthusiast users while the Mac Studio is designed for demanding professional workflows.

Apple has also announced configurations with extremely high memory capacities for the Mac Studio, although some of those options will arrive later.

Mac mini M6 release date

Apple opened pre-orders on August 25, 2026, shortly after announcing the new models. The first units are scheduled to reach customers and stores on September 22, 2026.

The launch applies to both the M6 and M5 Pro Mac mini configurations, with availability varying by configuration and market.

For buyers considering the new machine, the choice largely comes down to workload and budget. The $899 M6 model offers the latest-generation Apple silicon and major improvements in AI, graphics, CPU and storage performance. The $1,699 M5 Pro version is designed for users who need additional CPU and GPU cores, more memory and faster Thunderbolt connectivity.

Is the new Mac mini worth considering?

The 2026 Mac mini is not a dramatic redesign, but Apple has made the internal upgrade significant. The M6 brings a 12-core CPU, 12-core GPU, faster memory bandwidth, Neural Accelerators and a dual Neural Engine. Apple also claims substantial gains in CPU, graphics, storage and AI performance compared with the M4 generation.

The M5 Pro model takes the concept further with up to 18 CPU cores, 20 GPU cores, 64GB of unified memory and 8TB of storage. Faster Thunderbolt 5 connectivity also makes it better suited to professional workflows.

The biggest question for buyers may be the price. At $899, the new Mac mini is no longer as inexpensive as it was when the M4 generation launched. Still, users who specifically want a compact Apple desktop with strong local AI capabilities may find the new M6 model compelling.

With Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth 6, 2.5Gb Ethernet, faster storage and improved AI hardware, the new Mac mini is positioned as more than just a small everyday desktop. Apple is increasingly presenting it as a compact machine capable of handling modern AI workloads, coding, creative projects and always-on computing.

For users who need even more performance, the M5 Pro version provides a substantial step up without requiring the larger Mac Studio enclosure. Both models will begin arriving on September 22, giving customers a new set of options as Apple expands its desktop lineup around AI-focused Apple silicon.