Flashspoter - Apple is refreshing its desktop lineup again with the announcement of the latest Mac mini and Mac Studio models. No kidding, this step is taken to answer the high interest in reliable desktop computers, especially for artificial intelligence matters that run directly on the device. From the kitchen side of the runway, Apple injected the M6 chip into the Mac mini as well as the M5 Max and M5 Ultra into the Mac Studio which is claimed to provide outstanding performance. The good news is that both devices can be ordered now and will be available on the market on September 22, 2026.
Mac mini now comes with a choice of the new M6 chip or M5 Pro for heavier needs. The M6 Chip has a 12-core CPU consisting of 2 super cores, 4 performance cores and 6 efficiency cores, as well as a 12-core GPU with neural accelerators in each core. Apple claims this chip is able to provide up to 4 times increased AI performance and 2 times faster gaming performance than the previous M4 model. In addition, the M6 also carries a 16-core dual Neural Engine That is said to double the AI processing capabilities compared to the M5.
Although it brings increased performance, the price of Mac mini has actually increased. For the basic variant that relies on the M6 chip and 256GB of storage capacity, Apple's installed price is 899 US dollars. The price of the basic variant is recorded to be up by 100 US dollars when compared to the previous generation. For the type that carries the M5 Pro, the price offered starts from 1,699 US dollars, with a maximum RAM capacity of 64GB and a data transfer rate of 307 GB/s. Not only in the processor sector, Apple also helped polish the connectivity side by presenting Wi-Fi 7 and Ethernet 2.5 Gbps as built-in equipment. On the other hand, Apple also pinned improvements to the connectivity sector, such as Wi-Fi 7 support and 2.5 Gbps Ethernet which is now standard equipment. The design of the Mac mini itself has not changed and still uses the tiny aluminum body introduced in the M4 generation.
For professional users, Apple presents the new Mac Studio with a choice of M5 Max or M5 Ultra chips. The M5 Max variant starts at $ 2,499, while the M5 Ultra starts at $ 5,499. The M5 Ultra Chip itself is claimed to be the most powerful chip Apple has ever made. This Chip uses a quad-die architecture for the first time, which basically combines two M5 Max chips using UltraFusion connection technology at a speed of 4.4 TB/s.
The specifications of the M5 Ultra are very high, with configurations of up to 36-core CPUs with 12 super cores and 24 performance cores, and up to 80-Core GPUs. Apple claims this chip offers a 25 percent single-threaded and 30 percent multi-threaded performance improvement over the M3 Ultra. For AI, the computing performance is claimed to be 4.5 times faster than the M3 Ultra. Mac Studio is also upgraded with twice as fast PCIe Gen 6 SSD storage and Thunderbolt 5 ports.
This update comes at an interesting time, where Apple is raising prices amid the scarcity of memory chips plaguing the industry due to AI fever. The increase in the price of Mac mini from 599 US dollars to 899 US dollars indicates a change in the position of this product in the eyes of Apple. What was once an affordable entrance into the Mac ecosystem, is now a more serious investment with initial specifications still fairly minimal for its current size. The price increases were on all fronts, with the Mac Studio M5 Ultra also up 200 US dollars compared to its predecessor.
Nevertheless, Apple's focus on AI capabilities in both devices is obvious. The M6 and M5 Ultra chips are both designed to accelerate AI workloads, from running large language models to other machine learning tasks. This is a unique plus because Apple offers very strong AI capabilities on local devices, an advantage that is starting to be glimpsed by AI enthusiasts and developers. With a 2-nanometer chip and such a strong AI focus, Apple is asserting its position at the top of desktop performance.
Overall, this update brings a pretty significant performance leap, especially for those who still rely on devices with M1 or M2 chips. On the other hand, a considerable price jump makes this product no longer friendly to the pockets of Home users, but rather targets professionals, developers, and creators who need high computing power. There are at least three segments that benefit the most from this new product, namely AI developers, professional content creators, and serious gamers who want the best desktop performance. Although the bandarol is rising, the more value Apple offers in terms of AI capabilities and power efficiency remains the main differentiator in the premium desktop market.
source; Engadget, the verge, Apple Newsroom