Apple launches refreshed Mac mini with M6 chip and M5 Pro option

Really the only negative associated with the new M6-powered Mac Mini is its high price. While the last-gen model debuted at just $599, the faster, but mostly unchanged 2026 edition starts at $899 — except for right now. You can grab the base model that has 256GB of storage, 16GB RAM, and a 12-core CPU […]

In the tale of two 2026 Mac minis, there is a more "Pro" oriented one, but as with the Mac Studio, it's a complicated tale to tell.Mac mini M5 Pro review: tiny and mightyThe gap between the two Mac minis in 2026 is wider than you'd think at first glance. Like the Pro model before it, the M5 Pro Mac mini has Thunderbolt 5, far more cores, and faster memory.It also adds a lot to the price. At $1,699, it edges toward Mac Studio territory. It's a great computer, but it's hard to recommend when you start adding upgrades. Continue Reading on AppleInsider | Discuss on our Forums

The M6 Mac mini has a faster chip and is solid hardware, but that $899 hurts and there is just not enough storage at that entry price for Apple Intelligence and all of your apps.M6 Mac mini reviewI have loved the Mac mini since day one, more than 20 years ago. There has been one in my house consistently since the first G4 model, generally attached to a television, or used as a server, and so forth.Oddly, the 2026 M6 Mac mini is not the cheapest Mac overall. The MacBook Neo has something to say about that, but that's just not as convenient for my own workflows. Continue Reading on AppleInsider | Discuss on our Forums

Apple next-generation M6 chip arrived last week in the new Mac mini. But several more products will get M6 upgrades soon. Here’s the rumored release schedule for M6 Macs—plus the M6 iPad Pro. more…

Apple’s cheapest desktop computer is no longer a bargain but its newest, fastest chip makes it a pocket powerhouseApple’s latest Mac mini brings real speed and power for far more than everyday tasks in a practically pocketable form you can fit almost anywhere.The impressive new desktop machine is the first to receive an update to Apple’s latest M6 chip while remaining smaller than a headphones box. It is the cheapest computer Apple sells with an M-series chip, but like every other memory-containing piece of electronics, it has been hit by RAMageddon, driving up the starting price to £899 (€1,049/$899/A$1,449) from the £599 or equivalent of its M4 predecessor. Continue reading...

The M6 Mac mini git a hefty price hike, but high M4 Mac mini trade-in values could make upgrading cheaper than expected. (via Cult of Mac - Your source for the latest Apple news, rumors, analysis, reviews, how-tos and deals.)

Macworld New Mac mini 2026: At a glance What’s new: The 2026 Mac mini delivers much faster performance, especially for graphics and AI, thanks to the M6 and M5 Pro chips. It also brings faster storage and upgraded connectivity, with Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth 6 and 2.5Gb Ethernet as standard. Release date: Announced on August 25, 2026 Price: From $899/£899 In August 2026, Apple launched a new Mac mini to replace the M4 and M4 Pro Mac mini which was introduced in October 2024. Externally the 2026 Mac mini looks just as it did following the redesign in October 2024 – it’s still a five-by-five-inch square with two front USB-C ports and the headphone jack, with three Thunderbolt ports, HDMI and Ethernet on the rear. It’s what’s inside that has changed. The new Mac mini models offer new chips, the M6 and the M5 Pro. This is a similar scenario to a few years ago when Apple launched the M4 Mac Studio alongside the M3 Ultra Mac Studio. There is likely to be some confusion about the chip generations so we will explain the differences in more detail below. These new chips offer a significant jump in performance, especially relating to AI. With this update it is particularly apparent that Apple is positioning the Mac mini as an AI machine. When is the new Mac mini available? The new Mac mini M6 and M5 Pro models were announced on August 25, 2026 and started shipping on September 22. How much does the new Mac mini cost? ModelPriceM6, 16GB, 256GB$899 / £899 M6, 16GB, 512GB$1,199 / £1,199 M5 Pro, 24GB, 512GB$1,699 / £1,699 Has the Mac mini price gone up? In June 2026, Apple raised the starting price of the Mac mini by $200, from $599 to $799. The increase was part of a broader price hike across the entire Mac lineup, which Apple attributed to an unprecedented rise in component costs, particularly RAM. We had hoped this meant Mac mini pricing would remain at the June level for the foreseeable future. Unfortunately, with the arrival of the new models, Apple has raised prices again—this time by a further $100/£100. Here’s a breakdown of the key price changes for the Mac mini: ChipOriginal PriceJune Price 2026 replacement priceM4, 16GB, 256GB$599 / £599 $799 / £799 M6, $899 / £899 M4, 16GB, 512GB$799 / £799 $999 / £999 M6, $1,199 / £1,199 M4 Pro, 24GB, 512GB$1,399 / £1,399 $1,599 / £1,599 M5 Pro, $1,699 / £1,699 This is no longer a budget Mac. Apple Mac mini (M6, 2026) Price When Reviewed: £899 Best Prices Today: £849.99 at Amazon | £899 at Apple | £899 at Argos Apple Mac mini (M5 Pro, 2026) Read our review Price When Reviewed: £1,699 Best Prices Today: £1,599.99 at Amazon | £1699 at AO | £1699 at Apple Mac mini M6 and M5 Pro specs As well as the move from M4 and M4 Pro to M6 and M5 Pro, the Mac mini also gains storage that is up to twice as fast, according to Apple, Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth 6, 2.5Gb Ethernet. The M5 Pro model adds genlock support through its Thunderbolt 5 ports, for synchronizing a display and camera in professional video workflows. The new M6 chip has launched in the Mac mini. Apple Processor: M6 and M5 Pro chip compared There may be some confusion over the chip generations in the new Mac mini. The mainstream model uses the newer M6 chip, while the more powerful model uses the older-generation M5 Pro. Pro chips are designed for heavier professional workloads, with more CPU and GPU cores, higher memory bandwidth, support for more unified memory, additional displays and faster Thunderbolt connectivity. So while M5 Pro remains the more capable chip overall, the M6 offers a significant step up from the M4 it replaces in the previous generation Mac mini. Macwelt has now tested the M6 Mac mini, and we have reviewed the M5 Pro Mac mini. Macwelt’s tests show that the M6 can lead in single-core CPU and Neural Engine performance, while the M5 Pro retains a clear advantage in multicore CPU and GPU performance. M6: The Mac mini is the first Mac to ship with the M6 chip, replacing the M4 in the entry-level model. It features a 12-core CPU and 12-core GPU, up from 10 CPU and GPU cores in the previous generation, and supports up 170GB/s memory bandwidth if you choose 24GB or 32GB memory (the 16GB configuration offers 153GB/s bandwidth). Apple promises up to 40% faster CPU performance, twice the graphics performance and up to 4x faster AI performance than M4. It also introduces Apple’s first Dual 16-core Neural Engine, delivering up to twice the Neural Engine performance. M5 Pro: The M5 Pro replaces the M4 Pro in the higher-end Mac mini and can be configured with up to an 18-core CPU and 20-core GPU. Apple claims up to 4x faster LLM processing, 1.4x faster Blender ray-tracing performance and 1.5x faster Affinity image processing than M4 Pro. It supports up to 64GB of unified memory with 307GB/s memory bandwidth. Both chips feature Neural Accelerators in their GPU cores, but the M5 Pro’s additional CPU and GPU cores, greater memory capacity and higher bandwidth make it better suited to video production, 3D rendering, development and larger local AI models. What the benchmarks show Macwelt tested an M6 Mac mini with 24GB of memory and a 512GB SSD. In Geekbench 7, it scored 4,055 in single-core and 22,695 in multicore, compared with 3,277 and 15,693 for Macwelt’s M4 mini. In the same set of tests, the M6 scored higher than the M5 Pro in single-core performance (4,055 versus 3,720), but the M5 Pro led by a substantial margin in multicore performance (34,281 versus 22,695) and GPU compute. That makes the M6 a compelling choice for most buyers, while the M5 Pro better suits heavily threaded and GPU-intensive work. These are results from the configurations tested, not measurements of the base M6 or M5 Pro models. Storage  Apple claims up to twice the storage performance of the previous generation. In Macwelt’s Blackmagic Disk Speed Test, its M6 mini with a 512GB SSD reached approximately 6,700MB/s writing and 6,400MB/s reading, versus 3,000MB/s writing and 3,400MB/s reading on its M4 comparison machine. SSD speed can vary by capacity, so these figures may not apply to the base 256GB M6 mini. Other than that the storage capacities are as before – 256GB,  512GB, 1TB and 2TB for the M6 model and 512GB, 1TB, 2TB, 4TB and 8TB SSDs for the M5 Pro model.  RAM Both the M4 and M6 Mac mini can be configured with up to 32GB of unified memory.  Both the M4 Pro and M5 Pro models can be configured with up to 64GB. Connectivity: WiFi & Bluetooth Simon Jary / Foundry Wi-Fi: Both models now support Wi-Fi 7 which replaces the previous wireless standard Wi-Fi 6E. Bluetooth: Both models also move to Bluetooth 6, replacing Bluetooth 5.3. Ethernet: Previously faster Ethernet was an upgrade; the new models now have 2.5Gb Ethernet, with 10Gb Ethernet available as a configurable option. Thunderbolt: The M6 Mac mini has three Thunderbolt 4 ports and the the M5 Pro version has three Thunderbolt 5 ports. This is the same as the previous generation. Genlock: Apple has added Genlock support over USB-C. This is used for synchronising a display and camera (which can be an iPhone 17 Pro). It is aimed at professional video workflows Display support: The M6 Mac mini will support up to two 6K displays plus one 5K display, while the M5 Pro supports up to three 6K displays.  Other ports include two USB-C/USB 3 ports and a headphone jack on the front and HDMI and Ethernet remain on the rear, as previously. Mac mini M6 vs M4: What’s Changed  WhatWasNowCPU10-core M412-core M6GPU10-core M412-core M6GPU Neural AcceleratorsNoneIn each GPU coreNeural Engine16‑core Neural EngineDual 16‑core Neural EngineBandwidth120GB/s memory bandwidthUp to 170GB/s memory bandwidthMax RAM24GB32GB Mac mini M5 Pro vs M4 Pro: What’s Changed  WhatWasNowCPU12-core to 14-core M4 Pro15-core to 18-core M5 ProGPU16-core – 20-core M4 Pro16-core – 20-core M5 ProGPU Neural AcceleratorsNoneIn each GPU coreNeural Engine16‑core Neural Engine16‑core Neural EngineBandwidth273GB/s memory bandwidth307GB/s memory bandwidthMax RAM48GB64GB Who is the Mac mini best for? The M6 Mac mini is the best fit for most buyers who want a fast, compact desktop for everyday work, coding and mainstream creative tasks. Macwelt’s tests show a substantial performance gain over the M4, although its test machine had 24GB of memory and a 512GB SSD rather than the base configuration. Choose the M5 Pro Mac mini if your work benefits from its stronger multicore CPU and GPU performance, Thunderbolt 5, greater memory bandwidth or support for more than 32GB of unified memory. Those advantages are most relevant to sustained professional work and larger local AI models. Check the price of the configuration you need before ordering: the M5 Pro starts at $1,699/£1,699, and memory, storage and other upgrades add up quickly. Our reviewed $2,899 M5 Pro mini cost $100 more than an M5 Max Mac Studio configuration with a stronger GPU and more ports, although the Studio had 36GB of memory rather than the mini’s 48GB. See our Mac mini buying guide for advice on which model to choose and whether to wait. Should you buy the 2026 Mac mini? The M6 and M5 Pro Mac mini are on sale now, and independent test results are available for both models. For advice on which configuration to choose, whether to buy now or wait for a discount, and how they compare with older models, read our Mac mini buying guide

Apple’s new Mac mini and Mac Studio are now available for purchase in India. They were announced in August as the latest addition to the Cupertino-based tech giant’s compact desktop lineup. The new Mac mini is powered by the M6 and M5 Pro chips, while the Mac Studio is available with the M5 Max and M5 Ultra silicon. Both models also run macOS 27 and come with Apple Intelligence features, including Siri AI. Apple says the new desktops offer support for demanding workloads such as agentic AI, video production, software development, and 3D rendering.

Apple's Mac mini has finally been upgraded with the M5 Pro chip. Here's how the latest model compares to its M4 Pro counterpart.M5 Pro Mac mini vs. M4 Pro Mac mini: Apple's tiny desktop Mac just got even better.After the debut of the M5 Pro chip in the MacBook Pro, Apple's latest system-on-chip has made its way to another Mac. The Mac mini now ships with the M5 Pro chip, offering a worthwhile performance improvement.Like the M5 Pro MacBook Pro, the M5 Pro Mac mini uses a tried-and-true design. You still get the same chassis and ports as with the M4 Pro Mac mini, even though Apple spent well over a year working on the M5 Pro model. Continue Reading on AppleInsider | Discuss on our Forums

Apple rolled out the M6 and M5 Pro Mac minis and they’re the most interesting version yet.

Macworld At a glanceExpert's Rating Pros Small and quiet Great performance for its size Large unified memory is great for AI Cons The price is moving in the wrong direction Upgrade prices are crazy as ever Our Verdict Some things are objectively good, but still very hard to recommend. That’s how I feel about the Mac mini with M5 Pro. It delivers the performance improvement we expect to see two years after the prior model, but the price has gone up by even more than the performance. And Apple hasn’t made changes to the design or features to offset the plain simple fact that the value proposition—already a tough sell—has gotten worse. Price When Reviewed This value will show the geolocated pricing text for product undefined Best Pricing Today Price When Reviewed£1,699 Best Prices Today: Apple Mac mini (M5 Pro, 2026) Retailer Price £1699 View Deal £1699 View Deal £1699 View Deal £1699 View Deal £1699 View Deal Price comparison from over 24,000 stores worldwide View more prices It has been almost two years since Apple introduced the Mac mini with M4 and M4 Pro. Its replacement splits generations in an odd way: the less expensive model makes the leap to M6, while the higher-endl model gets an M5 Pro, rather than an M6 Pro. For all we know, there may never be an M6 Pro. In the time between releases, due in part to the exploding costs of RAM and flash storage as the result of a race to build AI data centers, the Mac mini jumped up significantly in price. The M6 entry-level model costs a whopping $899, a full 50 percent more than the M4’s $599 starting price, and that still includes the same 16GB of RAM and 256GB of storage. Two years ago, we loved the power and efficiency of Apple’s surprisingly small computer, but were dismayed by how much more you paid for even the most modest upgrades. This year’s model is the same computer with a faster chip, and the price has gone through the roof. Is it still a worthwhile purchase? Let’s dive in. M5 Pro Mac mini: Preposterous pricing The M4 Mac mini cost $599 in late 2024, with 16GB of RAM and 256GB of storage. It was a great starting price, but at the time we noted the greedy pricing of RAM and SSD upgrades: simply stepping up one level to 32GB and 512GB of storage cost another $600. In other words, Apple was charging as much for 16GB of RAM and 256GB of storage as an upgrade as it was for an entire computer with that same RAM and storage. Absurd! It gives me no pleasure to say that pricing has gotten much worse. The starting price of this generation, the M6 Mac mini, is 50 percent higher at $899. It still has 16GB of RAM and a 256GB SSD. It still costs $600 to add another 16GB of RAM (a total of 32GB) and 256GB of storage (a total of 512GB). Want the more powerful chip? The M5 Pro version, with a cut-back version of the chip that has fewer CPU and GPU cores, 24GB of RAM and a 512GB SSD, is $1,699. The same configuration of the M4 Pro model was $1,399. Basically, you’re paying $300 more to get your foot in the door with the Mac mini, a change that undermines its entire existence as a small and affordable Mac. The version we’re reviewing here has the full M5 Pro chip (a +$200 upgrade), 48GB of RAM (+$600) an 1TB SSD (+$300), and 10 gigabit Ethernet (+$100). That’s $2,899. Two years ago, the M4 Pro version of this computer with these same specs cost $2,299, and even that felt high. For reference, the Mac Studio with M5 Max (18-core CPU and 32-core GPU), 36GB of RAM, and a 1TB SSD is actually less expensive at $2,799, offers more ports, and has a much more powerful GPU. I know the prices of all things related to computers have gone crazy lately, but this is just ridiculous and shows how disproportionate Apple’s upgrade pricing has gotten. Make it make sense, Apple. M5 Pro Mac mini: Design Physically, the new Mac mini is exactly like the two-year-old model. It has exactly the same dimensions, weight, and port configuration, including three Thunderbolt 5 ports on the back and two USB-C ports in the front. Foundry There are three small improvements worth noting, other than the obvious jump from the M4/M4 Pro to the M6/M5 Pro: The Ethernet port is a 2.5 gigabit port, rather than a gigabit port (you can still opt for a 10 gigabit port). It uses Apple’s N1 wireless chip, so you get Wi-Fi 7 and Bluetooth 6 (up from Wi-FI 6E and Bluetooth 5.3). The Thunderbolt 5 ports support higher resolutions and refresh rates when using multiple connected displays. Foundry The bottom still has the same round ventilation riser and a recessed power button that is, for better or worse, rather hard to get to. Foundry M5 Pro Mac mini: Performance After two years, what you’re really paying hundreds of dollars more for is the new chip. While the M6 is the newest generation, there are no higher-end “Pro” or “Max” versions of it. Instead, the higher-end Mac mini is the same M5 Pro introduced in the MacBook Pro about six months ago. It’s quite a bit faster than the M4 Pro was, but we had reservations about the price/performance ratio on that computer and those have only gotten worse now. As time goes on, computers are supposed to get more powerful at the same price, or even cheaper. They’re not supposed to be 25 percent faster but cost 30% more. And yet here we are. Geekbench 7 Let’s take a look at CPU and GPU compute performance with the latest edition of the ever-reliable Geekbench. Foundry That’s a 12 percent jump in single-core CPU performance over the M4 Pro from 2 years ago, and a bigger 38 percent jump in multi-core performance. We went form 14 cores (10 performance and 4 efficiency) to 18 cores (6 super and 12 performance), hence the big boost in multi-threaded CPU performance. Let’s look at GPU compute power for the M5 Pro, which has the same 20 GPU cores as the M4 Pro. Foundry We’re looking at an improvement of around 20 percent for the GPU, partly from the higher-performing GPU cores and partly from the extra 12 percent of memory bandwidth. Geekbench AI AI performance is becoming increasingly important. Even if you’re not a big user of local AI agents, Apple’s own machine learning tools are prevalent throughout the system, from Siri AI to Photos to Dictation and so much more. The Geekbench AI test lets you run a series of common ML tasks using the CPU, GPU, or Neural Engine. We’re interested in the latter’s performance here. Foundry Neural Engine performance keeps creeping upward, from the M4 Pro to M5 to M5 Pro. It’s about 33 percent faster in the low-precision data formats that are most often used when you’re not doing AI training. We don’t have data for the M6 Mac mini yet, but this is one area where that much less expensive system could outstrip the M5 Pro model, possibly by a wide margin. With the Neural Engine doubled to 32 cores, we can expect lower-precision AI tasks where memory bandwidth isn’t the limit to run a lot faster. Cinebench 2026 Cinebench is a great test of a certain kind of CPU performance as it renders “offline” computer graphics, the kind of high-quality but very slow rendering used in TV and film. Foundry A single core is only 11 percent faster, but when they’re all working at once, the higher core count and change to the core configuration in the M5 Pro make a big difference. Performance goes up by 40 percent, a big jump even when you consider its has been two years between products. HandBrake video encode HandBrake uses standard video encoder libraries to transcode videos. We used the Creative Commons license Tears of Steel video in 4K, and transcode it down to a 1080p H.265 format, using both a CPU-based x265 encoder and the “videotoolbox” encoder that leverages Apple’s dedicated video encoding hardware. Foundry This test is a measure of how many seconds the transcode takes, so shorter results are better. Again, the increase in core count and configuration change results in a big multi-core CPU benefit, as the CPU-based encoder runs 26 percent faster. The newer hardware video encoder gets even a bigger boost, though—it’s done in 41 percent less time! Game benchmarks A Mac mini is not really a gamer’s machine. You’d be crazy to spend this kind of money on a Mac expecting to play the latest games, and the limited cooling potential of a little Mac mini enclosure makes it struggle and get loud when playing a high-end game. Still, game benchmarks tend to stress the entire system at once—the CPU, GPU, and memory—and are a great look at total system performance. Foundry The Borderlands 3 test only runs a little faster at lower resolutions and settings. But Apple’s newer GPU, despite still only having 20 cores, runs the game much better at 4K and High settings. You get a 52 percent improvement with those particular settings, though it’s still not really very smooth, and we would recommend lower settings for anyone trying to play this on a Mac mini. Foundry The real-time strategy game Total War: Warhammer III is very demanding, and at 4K the M5 Pro just can’t cut it. There’s still a 31 percent improvement at 1080p and High settings, however. Foundry Rise of the Tomb Raider is getting a little old, and most modern Macs can run it quite well. The new Mac mini runs this game about 10-15 percent better than the one from two years ago. Overall, the combination of more CPU cores in a higher-performing configuration, a bit more memory bandwidth, and a new GPU core design pays off for 3D games. Blackmagic Disk Speed A final bit of great news as we close out the benchmarks. Apple’s latest SSD hardware is fully present here, offering a huge boost to performance where it was sorely needed. Foundry Back in the M1 and M2 days, Apple’s storage performance was second to none. But as you can see, it remained stagnant for years, and only recently doubled in performance with the latest generation. This puts it back on the level with some of the best Windows PCs you can buy. Should you buy an M5 Pro Mac mini? There’s not much to talk about with the new M5 Pro Mac mini other than performance. It looks identical to the 2-year-old model that preceded it, and have only modest improvements to wireless features and multi-display support that most users will probably not notice. So what we have, essentially, is the same computer as Apple was selling in late 2024, only faster. The good news is, it’s an appropriate speed boost given the two year gap. A CPU speedup of 10-30 percent and a GPU improvement of 20-40 percent is what you can expect in most cases, which would be a lot for a year-over-year boost, but is about what we expect after two years between releases. It’s a respectable improvement. If the price was the same, we could confidently claim this is a very good update. But the price is not the same. Two years ago, the base model of the Mac mini was a very good deal, but the value proposition quickly disintegrated when you started adding on Apple’s outrageously-priced upgrades. Today, the base model is 50 percent more expensive and higher configurations cost hundreds of dollars more. The model I reviewed two years ago was $2,299 and configured almost exactly like the one I’m reviewing now, save for the M5 Pro instead of the M4 Pro. Now it costs you $2,899. That’s not how it’s supposed to work. As time marches on, you’re supposed to get a faster computer for the same price or less. Or at least a bunch of new features to make up the difference. An identical machine that is 25-30 percent faster but costs 25-50 percent more is moving in the wrong direction. Of course, the current RAM and SSD crunch are affecting everyone, and every company writing a blank check for endless AI investment is to blame. The price increases that resulted from this are not Apple’s fault, but it is Apple’s problem. This is a good computer at a bad price, and it’s not worth the upgrade if you’re not in desperate need of one. And if you are, I feel sorry for you; this is a terrible time to buy any computer.

Amazon's 2026 Mac mini and Mac Studio deals deliver the lowest prices as the new desktops hit store shelves.Grab 2026 Mac mini, Mac Studio deals on release day.Despite releasing today, Amazon has issued deals on the brand-new Mac mini and Mac Studio. Save $30 on Apple's M6 Mac mini when you opt for 512GB of storage, bringing the upgraded spec down to $1,069.99. This configuration has the new M6 chip with a 12-core CPU and 12-core GPU, along with 16GB of memory and a bump up to 512GB of storage.Buy M6 Mac mini 512GB for $1,069.99 Continue Reading on AppleInsider | Discuss on our Forums

The first reviews of the new M5 Pro and M6 Mac mini are starting to come out, and they concentrate on how the new processors make this smallest Mac one of the best buys, but at a price.M4 Mac mini. M5 is identical externallyAppleInsider described even the M4 Mac mini as being the "perfect headless Mac," and the device has long been an extraordinarily adaptable machine for countless different use cases and different users. It's now been updated with two new processor options, and unsurprisingly, reviewers are saying it's a more powerful hit than ever.That performance, though, comes alongside a much higher price than the Mac mini traditionally has had. Continue Reading on AppleInsider | Discuss on our Forums

People will be clawing to get Apple’s latest and tiniest Mac.

Apple has refreshed the Mac Mini with a brand-new chip, the M6. And this time, it’s more focused on AI than ever.

An alleged benchmark for the M6 Pro has surfaced on Geekbench, calling into question earlier rumors about a shorter Apple Silicon generation that skips the Pro and Max variants altogether.The MacBook Pro has yet to move to M6. Before the introduction of the M6 Mac mini, the rumor mill was dead set on the idea that Apple will be shortening the M6 generation of Apple Silicon in favor of moving to M7 faster. After the launch, a benchmark result may have indicated that there will be more to the M6 generation than previously expected.A Geekbench 7 score surfacing on Reddit for a "Mac18,6" dated September 18 2026 is claimed to run on an "Apple M6 Pro" with one processor and 18 cores. This is apparently split into two clusters of six cores and 12 cores, which may refer to "Super" performance core and efficiency core counts. Continue Reading on AppleInsider | Discuss on our Forums

Macworld Apple Mac Mini M6 for $30 off View Deal The new M6 Mac Mini launches next week, and it’s already hard to find. The RAM storage hasn’t just pushed prices higher—it’s also causing stock shortages before it even goes on sale. But if you can wait until October, Amazon is selling the model with 24GB of RAM and 512GB of storage for $30 off, one of the only ways to get it for less than Apple’s $1,299 MSRP. Getting your order in early means you’re near the front of the line the moment these start shipping. This little box is an amazing piece of technology. Running on the speedy M6 chip with a 12-core CPU and 12-core GPU paired with 24GB of unified memory and 512GB of storage, this computer will make it easy to handle absolutely all the apps you need for work or fun. From basic browsing to handling big projects, the Mac Mini can do it all with ease. The M6 really shines when it comes to AI, handling AI workflows up to 4.8 times faster than before, according to Apple. This means that editing photos, cleaning up video, or running smart features will work so much faster now. Yes, even if you need help writing a cover letter for that new job you’re hoping to get. The mini PC features three Thunderbolt 4 ports, HDMI, and 2.5Gb Ethernet on the back, as well as two USB-C ports and a headphone jack in the front where you can reach them. This tiny computer can support up to three external displays, so you can multitask easily. The Mac Mini M6 will be officially released on September 22, but Amazon seems to have it on backorder until late October. But nabbing a $30 discount will be worth the wait, so snatch this Mac Mini M6 pre-order while you still can.

The first benchmarks for the M6 Mac mini have emerged. While Moore's Law is in fact dead, the Mac mini is still getting a massive and noticeable boost in processing performance.Mac miniAhead of the release of Apple's product launches to consumers, benchmarks for the models frequently surface, hinting at what's on the way. That has seemingly happened for the M6 Mac mini, which Apple introduced at the end of August.The Geekbench 7 listing for a "Mac18,5" posted on September 15 mentions it is a Mac with an M6 chip, complete with 12 cores. The listing adds that it has a base frequency of 4.78GHz, up from the 4.4Ghz M4 Mac mini and the 3.2GHz M1 Mac mini. Continue Reading on AppleInsider | Discuss on our Forums

An early Geekbench listing for Apple's new M6-powered Mac mini shows multi-core gains that line up closely with Apple's own performance claims while, in an odd twist, the iPhone 18 Pro Max's chip narrowly edges it out in single-core speed.

The first unverified benchmark result for Apple's new M6 chip surfaced in the Geekbench 7 database today, offering a look at the chip's performance gains. The new Mac mini will be Apple's first device to be equipped with the M6 chip, which is 2nm. Here is how the M6 chip scored: Single-core CPU score: 4,071 Multi-core CPU score: 22,783 Here are the average M5 chip scores for comparison: Single-core CPU score: 3,641 Multi-core CPU score: 17,948If this single Geekbench 7 result is accurate, the M6 chip has up to around 12% faster single-core CPU performance and up to around 27% faster multi-core CPU performance compared to the M5 chip. Note that the M6 chip is in the new Mac mini, while the M5 chip scores are based on the 14-inch MacBook Pro, but performance should be similar. Apple said the M6 chip has the world's fastest single-threaded CPU performance, and its 4,071 single-core score indeed tops all other Macs and PCs in the Geekbench 7 database, including the M5 Max chip (3,731) and Qualcomm's Snapdragon X2 Elite Extreme (3,396). Up to 27% faster multi-core CPU performance is in line with Apple's claim of up to 1.2× faster multi-threaded performance, so all of Apple's advertised claims hold up. Here is where the M6 chip slots in for maximum multi-core CPU performance:M5 Ultra: TBD M3 Ultra: 39,059 M5 Max: 35,119 M5 Pro: 33,593 M4 Max: 29,047 M2 Ultra: 28,789 M4 Pro: 24,894 M3 Max: 24,649 M1 Ultra: 23,328 M6: 22,783 M5: 17,948 M2 Max: 17,387 M3 Pro: 16,880 M2 Pro: 16,725 M4: 15,477 M1 Max: 14,299 M1 Pro: 13,914 M3: 11,650 M2: 9,809 M1: 8,582Based on these scores, the M6 chip is more than 2.5× faster than Apple's original M1 chip. The new Mac mini with M6 and M5 Pro chips and the new Mac Studio with M5 Max and M5 Ultra chips launch on Tuesday, September 22. We are still waiting for GPU results for the M6 chip to appear in the Geekbench 7 database, and for M5 Ultra chip benchmarks.Related Roundup: Mac miniTags: Benchmarks, GeekbenchBuyer's Guide: Mac Mini (Buy Now)Related Forum: Mac miniThis article, "M6 Chip Benchmark Surfaces Ahead of New Mac Mini Launch Next Week" first appeared on MacRumors.comDiscuss this article in our forums

Apple refreshed its silicon lineup with the introduction of the M6 chip in August. At the time, the Cupertino-based tech giant also updated the Mac mini with the latest SoC. Now, an early benchmark listing has offered a glimpse at its performance. The Mac mini M6 is listed with 32GB of memory and a 12-core CPU. The listing also reveals its core configuration, which is headlined by two Super cores. The results reportedly suggest a notable multi-core improvement over the outgoing M5.

Last month, Apple announced a new Mac mini built around the all-new M6 chip and the M5 Pro, replacing the M4 and M4 Pro models that had been on sale since October 2024. Pre-orders are open now, with the machines arriving to customers and in stores on September 22. The M6 model starts at $899 and the M5 Pro model at $1,699, each $100 above what its predecessor was selling for by the end of its run and $300 above what their predecessors launched at. The ‌Mac mini‌ rose from $599 to $799 in May, and the M4 Pro configuration went from $1,399 to $1,599 in June, both as a consequence of the memory shortage driven by AI demand. Education pricing brings the new models down to $799 and $1,599 respectively. What Changed Across Both Models A number of upgrades apply equally to the standard and Pro configurations, regardless of which chip you choose: ‌Mac mini‌ (2024) ‌Mac mini‌ (2026) Neural Accelerators in each GPU core Variable refresh rate and HDR support Wi-Fi 6E connectivity Wi-Fi 7 connectivity Apple N1 wireless networking chip Bluetooth 5.3 Bluetooth 6 Thread networking technology Gigabit Ethernet or 10Gb Ethernet 2.5Gb Ethernet or 10Gb Ethernet Genlock support over USB-C Mac Mini With M4 vs. M6 Here is everything else that differs between the M4 and M6 versions of the ‌Mac mini‌: ‌Mac mini‌ (M4) ‌Mac mini‌ (M6) M4 chip M6 chip 10-core CPU with four performance cores and six efficiency cores 12-core CPU with two super cores, four performance cores, and six efficiency cores 10-core GPU 12-core GPU 16-core Neural Engine Dual 16-core Neural Engine 120GB/s memory bandwidth 153GB/s memory bandwidth, rising to 170GB/s with 32GB of unified memory Two displays up to 6K at 60Hz, plus a third up to 5K at 60Hz Two displays up to 6K at 60Hz or 4K at 165Hz, plus a third up to 5K at 60Hz Up to two external displays over a single Thunderbolt port Now discontinued From $899 Mac Mini With M4 Pro vs. M5 Pro The comparison below outlines the remaining differences between the two Pro configurations: ‌Mac mini‌ (M4 Pro) ‌Mac mini‌ (M5 Pro) M4 Pro chip M5 Pro chip Base: 12-core CPU with eight performance cores and four efficiency cores Configurable to: 14-core CPU Base: 15-core CPU with five super cores and 10 performance cores Configurable to: 18-core CPU Enhanced shader core and third-generation ray tracing 273GB/s memory bandwidth 307GB/s memory bandwidth Three displays up to 6K at 60Hz Three displays up to 6K at 60Hz or 4K at 165Hz Two displays: one up to 8K at 60Hz or 4K at 240Hz, plus a second up to 6K at 60Hz Two displays: one up to 8K at 60Hz, 5K at 120Hz, or 4K at 240Hz, plus a second up to 5K at 120Hz or 4K at 200Hz Up to three external displays over a single Thunderbolt port Now discontinued From $1,699 How Much Faster Is It, Really? The latest refresh is minor for ordinary work and significant for AI workflows. Against the M4, Apple claims 40% faster CPU performance and 2x faster graphics, which is a normal generational step, alongside unusually large gains of up to 4x faster AI performance and up to 4.8x faster prompt processing in LM Studio. Almost all of the engineering appears to have gone into AI optimization, in the form of Neural Accelerators built into every GPU core for the first time on the ‌Mac mini‌ and a Neural Engine doubled to two 16-core units. The M5 Pro follows the same pattern, at up to 4x faster than the M4 Pro for prompt processing but only 1.4x faster for ray-traced rendering in Blender. Display support is the one significant change beyond the chips. Both models add 4K at 165Hz and variable refresh rate, which the 2024 machines never supported, and the M5 Pro can drive a second display at 5K at 120Hz where the M4 Pro capped it at 6K at 60Hz. If you own a high refresh rate monitor, this is perhaps the most noticeable difference in the entire update. It is worth noting that Apple's figure of up to 170GB/s for the M6 only applies to the 32GB configuration. The 16GB and 24GB models run at 153GB/s, so the gain over the M4's 120GB/s is around 28% for most buyers rather than the 42% implied. Bandwidth governs how fast a model's weights move out of memory, which makes the 32GB configuration a faster machine. The memory ceilings are also not the increases they appear to be. The M4 shipped with a 32GB option and the M4 Pro with 64GB when they launched in October 2024, and Apple removed both in May as memory prices climbed. The new models restore those ceilings rather than raising them, so a 32GB M4 or 64GB M4 Pro already has the same ceiling as its 2026 equivalent. Which to Choose? If you own a 2024 ‌Mac mini‌ and do not run AI models on it, skip this generation. A 40% CPU improvement is not something you will notice in daily use, and nothing else meaningful about the machine has changed. The exception is display support: if you have a high refresh rate monitor stuck at 60Hz, that is a real problem the new models solve and the old ones never will. If you do run models locally, the upgrade is easy to justify from an M4, but more difficult from an M4 Pro. Roughly 4x faster prompt processing changes what you can attempt. From an M4 Pro you get unchanged GPU core counts, a 12% bandwidth increase, and a $300 rise over what you paid, so wait for the next year's revision unless you specifically need to upgrade to a 64GB model. For new buyers, the gap between the two 2026 models is wider than the $800 price difference suggests: the M5 Pro has 80% more memory bandwidth, double the memory ceiling, and 50% more CPU cores at the top. Since tools like LM Studio and Ollama run on the GPU rather than the Neural Engine, capacity and bandwidth are what matter. Memory capacity decides which models you can load at all, while bandwidth determines how fast they run. If your models fit in 32GB, buy the M6 at $899. If they do not, the M5 Pro is your only option here. The 2024 models remain worth considering even though Apple has stopped selling them new, with availability via third parties, Apple's refurbished store, or second-hand. Do not expect prices to collapse in the usual way, whichever route you take. The memory shortage pushed Apple's prices up, twice during the M4's final year, so a modest discount off $799 is unremarkable. The M4 model is worth buying nearer the $599 it launched at, and much above that, the stretch to buy a new M6 is difficult to argue against. The 32GB M4 and 64GB M4 Pro were only sold between October 2024 and May 2026, so they exist on the used market but were unavailable new for the machine's final months. A 64GB M4 Pro matches the memory ceiling of a $1,699 M5 Pro at 273GB/s against 307GB/s, for considerably less. For running larger models on a budget, that may be the most cost-effective configuration. The new ‌Mac mini‌ is available to pre-order now, with deliveries and in-store availability beginning on Tuesday, September 22.Related Roundup: Mac miniBuyer's Guide: Mac Mini (Buy Now)Related Forum: Mac miniThis article, "2024 vs. 2026 Mac Mini Buyer's Guide" first appeared on MacRumors.comDiscuss this article in our forums

Apple last week announced two new Mac mini models, one with the all-new M6 chip and one with the M5 Pro chip that debuted in the MacBook Pro earlier this year. Somewhat like the ‌MacBook Pro‌ last year, Apple has again placed its newest silicon in the entry-level machine and a previous-generation Pro chip in the high-end machine, so the more expensive ‌Mac mini‌ is not simply a faster version of the cheaper one. The M6 model starts at $899 with a 12-core CPU, 16GB of unified memory, and 256GB of storage. The M5 Pro model starts at $1,699 with a 15-core CPU, 24GB of memory, and 512GB of storage, and it can be configured with up to an 18-core CPU and a 20-core GPU. Both are the highest starting prices Apple has ever set for the ‌Mac mini‌, which makes the $800 gap between the two models more consequential than in previous generations. Our guide helps to answer the question of how to decide which of these two ‌Mac mini‌ models is best for you. Both models are available to pre-order now and launch on Tuesday, September 22. The two machines are physically identical and share the majority of their hardware. The shared features include: The same 5.0 by 5.0 inch aluminum enclosure in silver, unchanged since 2024 Neural Accelerators in every GPU core, a first for the ‌Mac mini‌ Wi-Fi 7 and Bluetooth 6 via the N1 chip, another first for the ‌Mac mini‌ 2.5Gb Ethernet as standard, with a 10Gb Ethernet configuration option Two front USB-C ports and a headphone jack with high-impedance headphone support An HDMI port and native support for up to three external displays Genlock over USB-C for synchronizing a display with a camera such as the iPhone 17 Pro macOS 27 with Apple Intelligence and Siri AI Everything that differs between the two models is set out below: ‌Mac mini‌ (M6) ‌Mac mini‌ (M5 Pro) M6 chip M5 Pro chip Built with TSMC's 2nm (N2) process Built with TSMC's 3nm (N3P) process 12-core CPU 15-core or 18-core CPU Two super cores, four performance cores, and six efficiency cores Up to six super cores and 12 performance cores World's fastest single-threaded performance, according to Apple 12-core GPU 16-core or 20-core GPU Updated shader core architecture, Dynamic Caching, and hardware-accelerated ray tracing, with 50% higher geometry rates Enhanced shader core with third-generation ray tracing Dual 16-core Neural Engine, with up to 2x the peak compute of previous generations 16-core Neural Engine Up to 170GB/s memory bandwidth 307GB/s memory bandwidth 16GB, 24GB, or 32GB of unified memory 24GB, 48GB, or 64GB of unified memory 256GB, 512GB, 1TB, or 2TB of storage 512GB, 1TB, 2TB, 4TB, or 8TB of storage Three Thunderbolt 4 ports Three Thunderbolt 5 ports Clustering of multiple ‌Mac mini‌ systems over Thunderbolt 5 1.5 pounds (0.67 kg) 1.6 pounds (0.73 kg) Starts at $899 Starts at $1,699 For the majority of buyers, the M6 model is the right choice, and not only because it is $800 cheaper. It is the newer chip, built on a 2nm process, and Apple says it contains the world's fastest CPU core. It is also the only ‌Mac mini‌ with the Dual 16-core Neural Engine, which Apple says delivers up to twice the peak compute of the single Neural Engine used in the M5 Pro. If your workload is dominated by everyday productivity, web work, photo editing, coding, or light on-device AI, the M6 should feel marginally faster in day-to-day use, especially for single-core tasks, and be more future-proof. Buying the more expensive machine means accepting older silicon in exchange for a broader performance. What the M5 Pro provides is scale rather than speed per core: up to 18 CPU cores against 12, up to 20 GPU cores against 12, and 307GB/s of memory bandwidth against 170GB/s. Those advantages only really surface in sustained, heavily parallel work such as video rendering, 3D and VFX production, compilation of large codebases, and scientific simulation. The memory ceiling is the clearest dividing line. The M6 model tops out at 32GB of unified memory, while the M5 Pro reaches 64GB. If you intend to run local large language models, work with complex 3D scenes, or keep sizeable datasets resident in memory, the M6 configuration simply cannot be specified high enough, no matter how much you spend on it. Storage works the same way, with the M6 limited to 2TB and the M5 Pro extending to 8TB. Thunderbolt is the other hard limit. The M5 Pro model has three Thunderbolt 5 ports, double the bandwidth of the Thunderbolt 4 ports on the M6 model, and Thunderbolt 5 is what allows several ‌Mac mini‌ systems to be clustered together to run large AI models entirely on device. This is significant for users building a small local compute setup, or attaching high-speed external storage arrays for video work. A note of caution applies to configuring the cheaper machine upward. Adding 32GB of memory and 2TB of storage to the M6 model pushes it well past its $899 starting price and narrows the gap to the M5 Pro considerably. At that point, the M5 Pro entry configuration becomes a more sensible purchase for anyone doing professional work, since the extra outlay buys substantially more CPU and GPU capacity, faster memory, and Thunderbolt 5 rather than just more of the same. One final consideration is longevity. Apple reportedly has no plans for an M6 Pro chip, so the M5 Pro will remain the highest-end ‌Mac mini‌ option until the M7 family arrives in 2027. Buyers who want the newest Apple silicon in the smallest desktop Apple sells can only get it by choosing the $899 machine.Related Roundup: Mac miniBuyer's Guide: Mac Mini (Buy Now)Related Forum: Mac miniThis article, "M6 vs. M5 Pro Mac Mini Buyer's Guide" first appeared on MacRumors.comDiscuss this article in our forums

Amazon has introduced the first cash discounts on Apple's brand new Mac mini, with discounts including two of the M6 models as well as the M5 Pro model. All of these deals are pre-order discounts on the 2026 Mac mini, which officially launches on September 22. Note: MacRumors is an affiliate partner with Amazon. When you click a link and make a purchase, we may receive a small payment, which helps us keep the site running. You can get the 16GB RAM/256GB SSD Mac mini for $879.99, down from $899.00, and the 16GB RAM/512GB SSD model for $1,069.99, down from $1,099.00. Both of these devices come with the new M6 chip, and Amazon also has $29 off the M5 Pro Mac mini right now. $19 OFFM6 Mac mini 16GB/256GB for $879.99 $29 OFFM6 Mac mini 16GB/512GB for $1,069.99 $29 OFFM5 Pro Mac mini 24GB/512GB for $1,669.99 In terms of upgrades, Apple said the Mac mini with the M6 chip delivers up to 40% faster CPU performance, up to 4× faster performance for AI tasks in particular, up to 2× faster graphics performance, and up to 2× faster storage speeds compared to the previous-generation model with the 10-core M4 chip, 32GB of unified memory, and 2TB of storage. If you're on the hunt for more discounts, be sure to visit our Apple Deals roundup where we recap the best Apple-related bargains of the past week. Deals Newsletter Interested in hearing more about the best deals you can find in 2026? Sign up for our Deals Newsletter and we'll keep you updated so you don't miss the biggest deals of the season! Related Roundup: Apple DealsThis article, "Apple's New Mac Mini Already Discounted - See the Pre-Order Deals" first appeared on MacRumors.comDiscuss this article in our forums

Apple's new M6 Mac mini is shipping soon, and a giant leap over Apple's first Apple Silicon Mac mini. Here's how much has changed.M6 Mac mini [left], M1 Mac mini [right]After the introduction of the M5 MacBook Pro and MacBook Air, it was inevitable for Apple to bring the upgrade over to the desktop versions. That means the Mac mini has been given the spec-bump treatment once again.However, it's not just bringing the Mac mini to the M5 level. Apple instead took the opportunity to bring it to the M6 level. Continue Reading on AppleInsider | Discuss on our Forums

With the new M6 Mac mini jumping to R17,699 while sticking to a meagre 256GB SSD, Apple’s once-unbeatable desktop value proposition is suddenly a much tougher sell.

So Apple just did something weird. On August 25 they announced the new Mac mini, and instead of the M5 everyone was expecting, the base…Continue reading on Medium »

Apple announced new Mac mini machines this week, and the lower-end models include the first M6 chip. The M6 era will be a little complicated, because few Macs are going to get it. We won't have M6 Pro or M6 Max chips, which shakes up the Mac lineup for the next couple of years. Subscribe to the MacRumors YouTube channel for more videos. Devices With M6 The ‌Mac mini‌ is the first Mac with an M6, but the chip is going to come to a couple of other products in the lineup. MacBook Pro - The 14-inch entry-level MacBook Pro could be updated with an M6 chip in October 2026. iMac - The 24-inch iMac is also expected to get the M6 chip, likely around the time the ‌MacBook Pro‌ is updated. MacBook Air - The MacBook Air could get the M6 chip in early 2027. iPad Pro - The next iPad Pro could get the M6 chip. iPad Air - A future version of the iPad Air is likely to adopt the M6. Apple usually keeps the ‌iPad Air‌ processor one generation behind the ‌iPad Pro‌. M6 Pro and M6 Max Apple isn't going to make M6 Pro or M6 Max chips, according to Bloomberg, so the M6 will be the first standalone Apple silicon chip that won't have more powerful variants. Instead of manufacturing M6 Pro and M6 Max chips, Apple is speeding up its chip development timeline to bring the M7 Pro and M7 Max to market more quickly. The M7 Pro and M7 Max will have technologies that support on-device AI and GPU-intensive software, so they better meet growing demand for processors with those capabilities. M5 Makes Up the Gap Macs that would have used an M6 Pro or M6 Max chip are going to be stuck with the M5 Pro and M5 Max until the M7 family is ready. That means the high-end OLED "MacBook Ultra" we're expecting in late 2026 or early 2027 is going to use the same M5 Pro and M5 Max chips that are in the current ‌MacBook Pro‌ models. It's also possible it will get the M5 Ultra. The new ‌Mac mini‌ also got the M5 Pro instead of an M6 Pro chip. The new Mac Studio announced alongside the ‌Mac mini‌ uses M5 Max and M5 Ultra chips. Short Life Span The M6 isn't going to be around for long, because Apple plans to launch the M7 in the first half of 2027. The M7 Pro and M7 Max will follow at the end of the year. M6 Features The M6 is Apple's first chip built on a new 2-nanometer process that increases transistor density on a smaller die. The process change improves performance and efficiency. It has a 12-core CPU with what Apple says is the world's fastest CPU core, a larger 12-core GPU with Neural Accelerators for each core, a new Dual 16-core Neural Engine, and up to 170GB/s memory bandwidth. The GPU has updated shader core architecture, Dynamic Caching, hardware-accelerated ray tracing, and 50 percent higher geometry rates for complex graphics.This article, "Which Macs Will Get an M6 Chip and Which Won't?" first appeared on MacRumors.comDiscuss this article in our forums

Apple’s next-generation M6 chip is here, debuting first in the new Mac mini. And among its powerful upgrades, M6 gets a new feature previously exclusive to higher-end chips like M5 Pro and Max.

The new M6 Mac mini brings a faster chip, more memory options and a steeper price tag than the M4. Here’s everything that changed. (via Cult of Mac - Your source for the latest Apple news, rumors, analysis, reviews, how-tos and deals.)

Amazon today has introduced the first cash discounts on Apple's brand new Mac mini, with discounts including two of the M6 models as well as the M5 Pro model. All of these deals are pre-order discounts on the 2026 Mac mini, which officially launches on September 22. Note: MacRumors is an affiliate partner with Amazon. When you click a link and make a purchase, we may receive a small payment, which helps us keep the site running. You can get the 16GB RAM/256GB SSD Mac mini for $879.99, down from $899.00, and the 16GB RAM/512GB SSD model for $1,069.99, down from $1,099.00. Both of these devices come with the new M6 chip, and Amazon also has $29 off the M5 Pro Mac mini right now. $19 OFFM6 Mac mini 16GB/256GB for $879.99 $29 OFFM6 Mac mini 16GB/512GB for $1,069.99 $29 OFFM5 Pro Mac mini 24GB/512GB for $1,669.99 In terms of upgrades, Apple said the Mac mini with the M6 chip delivers up to 40% faster CPU performance, up to 4× faster performance for AI tasks in particular, up to 2× faster graphics performance, and up to 2× faster storage speeds compared to the previous-generation model with the 10-core M4 chip, 32GB of unified memory, and 2TB of storage. If you're on the hunt for more discounts, be sure to visit our Apple Deals roundup where we recap the best Apple-related bargains of the past week. Deals Newsletter Interested in hearing more about the best deals you can find in 2026? Sign up for our Deals Newsletter and we'll keep you updated so you don't miss the biggest deals of the season! Related Roundup: Apple DealsThis article, "Apple's M6 Mac Mini Gets First Pre-Order Discounts at Amazon" first appeared on MacRumors.comDiscuss this article in our forums

Apple has quietly launched its new M6 Mac Mini ahead of its September 9 event, signalling a wave of upcoming product releases—and higher prices.

A new Mac mini with M6 and M5 Pro was unveiled this week, but we’ve since learned three things about the product that weren’t highlighted by Apple.

When it comes to Apple Silicon, a higher number doesn't necessarily mean a better chip.

Apple launched a new Mac mini yesterday with M6 and M5 Pro chips, and reports online show that recent, backordered M4 purchases are being upgraded for free to the new model.

Apple has informed some customers who recently ordered a Mac mini with an M4 chip that has yet to ship that it will be upgrading their order to an equivalent version of the new Mac mini with an M6 chip at no additional cost. Apple's email to customers:Thank you for your recent Mac order. We know you're looking forward to receiving your purchase. As you may know, Apple recently announced the new Mac mini. Since your order has yet to ship, we automatically upgraded you to the new Mac mini at no additional cost.Given the Mac mini now starts at $899 instead of $799 in the U.S., some customers are effectively receiving a $100 discount on the new model. One customer on social media was delighted to learn that they would not only be receiving the new Mac mini at no additional cost, but also saw their delivery estimate bumped up from October to September. On the other hand, a student emailed us to complain that their delivery estimate was pushed back by several weeks as a result of the free upgrade, as they said they need the computer imminently for their studies. The student said Apple did not offer them a choice to accept or decline the free upgrade. Apple announced the new Mac mini with M6 and M5 Pro chip options this week, alongside a new Mac Studio with M5 Max and M5 Ultra chip options. Both new Macs are available to pre-order now ahead and launch on Tuesday, September 22. The previous-generation Mac mini was released in November 2024.Related Roundup: Mac miniBuyer's Guide: Mac Mini (Buy Now)Related Forum: Mac miniThis article, "Apple Giving Some Mac Mini Customers a Free Upgrade" first appeared on MacRumors.comDiscuss this article in our forums

Apple has introduced its first Mac mini refresh in nearly two years, powered by the all-new M6 chip and the M5 Pro. The update marks a major leap over the outgoing M4-based model, bringing up to 40 percent faster CPU performance, 4x faster AI processing, 2x faster graphics and storage, and Apple's first 2-nanometer chip in a shipping product. It also arrives as the last product Apple has unveiled under Tim Cook, who steps down as CEO on September 1 after 15 years, handing the reins to hardware chief John Ternus.What's new in the Mac Mini 2026 over the previous generationThe outgoing Mac mini, launched in October 2024, topped out with the M4 and M4 Pro chips. The new lineup replaces both with the M6 and M5 Pro:> The M6 uses a 12-core CPU (up from 10 cores) and 12-core GPU, built on Apple's first 2nm process> Every GPU core now carries a dedicated Neural Accelerator, plus a new dual 16-core Neural Engine — double the previous single-engine setup> Memory bandwidth rises to 170GB/s from 153GB/s> Wi-Fi 7 and Bluetooth 6 replace Wi-Fi 6E and Bluetooth 5.3> The M5 Pro variant gains Thunderbolt 5 with clustering support, letting multiple Mac minis link up to run larger AI models, plus Genlock support over USB-C for syncing with external displays and cameras> The M6 model retains Thunderbolt 4 and cannot be clusteredApple Launches Free Repair Program For Select 2023 Mac Mini M2 ModelsMac Mini 2026: Specs and configurationsThe new Mac mini with M6 comes with 12-core CPU, 12-core GPU, Neural Accelerators in every core, up to 32GB unified memory, up to 2TB SSD. Connectivity options include Thunderbolt 4, Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth 6, 2.5Gb Ethernet (10Gb optional).The Mac mini with M5 Pro comes with configurations with a 15-core CPU/16-core GPU or an 18-core CPU/20-core GPU. It comes with up to 64GB unified memory, up to 8TB SSD. Connectivity options include Thunderbolt 5 with clustering, Genlock via USB-CBoth models ship with macOS 27, which brings an upgraded Apple Intelligence stack, an AI-enhanced Siri with access to on-device personal context, and Spotlight Visual Intelligence.Mac Mini 2026: Pricing and availability in IndiaAs for pricing, the Mac mini (M6) with 16GB/256GB is priced at Rs. 99,900. The Mac mini (M5 Pro) with a 15-core CPU/16-core GPU, 24GB/512GB is priced at Rs. 2,09,900, and the Mac mini (M5 Pro) with 18-core CPU/20-core GPU, 24GB/512GB is priced at Rs. 2,33,900Education pricing brings the entry M6 model down to Rs. 88,900 and the base M5 Pro model to Rs. 1,97,900. Pre-orders opened August 25 across 30 countries and regions, including India, with retail availability from September 22.

Apple’s $899 Mac mini Skips M5 Entirely, Keeps the 2024 BodyTwelve days ago I wrote that Apple was testing a Mac mini with a brand new M6 in the cheap model and a carried-over M5...

Apple just introduced the high-performance M6 processor in the Mac mini, and it's coming to a range of other devices. But for how long? (via Cult of Mac - Your source for the latest Apple news, rumors, analysis, reviews, how-tos and deals.)

Apple’s latest compact desktop gets a major AI and performance boost with the new M6 and M5 Pro chips.

Apple has unveiled a new Mac mini with either its new M6 chip or the M5 Pro chip released earlier this year. It adds faster CPU, GPU, storage, and AI performance along with Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth 6, and 2.5Gb Ethernet as standard. There's also a new higher starting price of $899, which is up from the previous $799 base price and far above the $599 starting price of the 2024 model. MacRumors reports: The M6 chip is equipped with a 12-core CPU and a 12-core GPU, up from a 10-core CPU and 10-core GPU in the M5 chip. In addition, the M6 chip features the first-ever dual Neural Engine with two 16-core engines, up from one in previous chips. The M6 chip has up to 170GB/s memory bandwidth, up from 153GB/s for the M5 chip. Apple said the Mac mini with the M6 chip delivers up to 40% faster CPU performance, up to 4x faster performance for AI tasks in particular, up to 2x faster graphics performance, and up to 2x faster storage speeds compared to the previous-generation model with the 10-core M4 chip, 32GB of unified memory, and 2TB of storage. There are two M5 Pro configurations available, including one with a 15-core CPU and a 16-core GPU, and another with an 18-core CPU and a 20-core GPU. Both of these models are equipped with a single 16-core Neural Engine for AI tasks. For both the M6 and M5 Pro configurations, Apple said the Mac mini now includes Neural Accelerators in each GPU core for the first time. Read more of this story at Slashdot.

Apple's new Mac minis with M6 and M5 Pro chips are here. Here's how to pre-order yours, starting at $899.

Apple has refreshed the Mac mini adding the M6, in an unusually timed update. Here's how the new model specs compare against the M4 version it replaces.M6 Mac mini vs M4 Mac miniIn a rare move, Apple has updated the Mac mini just before its main iPhone event, rather than during its usual fall Mac window. The big change is the shift from the M4 generation it has been on for almost two years.That shift isn't to the M5, but to M6. Continue Reading on AppleInsider | Discuss on our Forums

The Mac mini just got upgraded with either the all-new M6 chip or the more powerful M5 Pro, bringing substantially faster performance. (via Cult of Mac - Your source for the latest Apple news, rumors, analysis, reviews, how-tos and deals.)

Today Apple launched a new Mac mini, available in M6 and M5 Pro configurations. Here’s everything new compared to the M4 and M4 Pro Mac mini models.

Apple has announced a new generation of its popular Mac mini series that comes with the brand new M6 chip as well as the M5 Pro chip. [Read More]

Macworld As predicted on this site earlier today, Apple has announced the launch of a new Mac mini model with M5 and M6 chip options. It doesn’t feature any design changes or external upgrades, but it does offer a two-generation bump in processors compared to the previous model. Slightly confusingly, the version of the Mac mini with a chip from the M5 generation is the more powerful of the two, because it’s the M5 Pro. This spec starts at $1,699 for a 15-core CPU and 16-core GPU, but customers have the option to bump that to 18 and 20 cores, respectively, for an additional $200. There are also configuration options to increase RAM from the starting 24GB or storage from the baseline 512GB, and to upgrade to 10 Gigabit Ethernet. The RAM options remain the same, but the 64GB highest-end option now costs $1,000. More appealing for the Mac mini’s traditional budget market will be the M6 model, which starts at a far more manageable $899. That, however, is still a $100 increase over the M4 model from 2024 that it replaces. Worse, the M4 model started at just $599 until June, when Apple responded to the ongoing memory crunch by imposing brutal price hikes. In other words, the cheapest entry point to Apple’s desktop Mac ecosystem has jumped by $300, or 50 percent, in the space of two months. The $899 version isn’t exactly a state-of-the-art build, either. The entry-level configuration comes with 16GB of RAM and just 256GB of storage. We should note that it is possible to get this spec for $799, but only if you’re an education buyer. Of note, the Mac mini is not available for the Apple Upgrade program either. The price hike is likely to weaken the Mac mini’s appeal among budget buyers, but (aside from the necessity to accommodate increasing component costs) Apple may not care. In his report predicting that a new mini was on the way, Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman noted that the machine had become increasingly popular for running AI applications locally, and that Apple was struggling to meet demand. The company may not mind if fewer customers are prepared to pay the asking price, since there are plenty of AI fans ready to take their place. Those AI fans will likely be tempted by a new model with a new chip. Apple boasts that the M6 delivers “gains across every dimension of performance” and “the ideal balance of performance, power efficiency, and on-device AI to effortlessly fly through daily tasks, coding, and creative projects.” Another surprise is how early Apple has announced the new Mac mini. Pre-orders are open now, but it won’t go on sale until 22 September, almost a month from now.

The new Mac Mini starts at $899, up $100 from the prior model, with availability beginning September 22

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In an uncharacteristic August launch, Apple has updated the Mac mini, retaining the same design, but adding the M6 and M5 Pro processors.M4 Mac mini. M5 is identical externallyThe release comes almost two years after the then-redesigned M4 Mac mini was released. There's nothing different externally, with the major change being the M6 processor.And, it comes after wait times were as long as two months on the morning of August 25 for the M4 version of the hardware. It will almost certainly sell out rapidly upon release, and we advise that if you want one, you order one when the preorder period starts. Continue Reading on AppleInsider | Discuss on our Forums

Apple today announced the next-generation Mac mini, which can be configured with an all-new M6 chip or the M5 Pro chip released earlier this year. The M6 chip is equipped with a 12-core CPU and a 12-core GPU, up from a 10-core CPU and 10-core GPU in the M5 chip. In addition, the M6 chip features the first-ever dual Neural Engine with two 16-core engines, up from one in previous chips. Apple said the Mac mini with the M6 chip delivers up to 40% faster CPU performance, up to 4× faster performance for AI tasks in particular, up to 2× faster graphics performance, and up to 2× faster storage speeds compared to the previous-generation model with the 10-core M4 chip, 32GB of unified memory, and 2TB of storage. Apple says the Mac mini is the "leading" desktop computer for "always-on, deskside agentic computing." The new Mac mini is available to pre-order starting today, and it will begin arriving to customers and launch in stores on Tuesday, September 22. In the U.S., the M6 model starts at $899, while the M5 Pro model starts at $1,699.Related Roundup: Mac miniBuyer's Guide: Mac Mini (Buy Now)Related Forum: Mac miniThis article, "Apple Announces New Mac Mini With M6 and M5 Pro Chips and More" first appeared on MacRumors.comDiscuss this article in our forums

Apple unveiled its new Mac mini featuring the M6 and M5 Pro chips. These updated machines offer significantly improved artificial intelligence performance. The M6 model boasts faster CPU and graphics capabilities for everyday tasks. Pre-orders begin August 25, with availability starting September 22. New connectivity options and macOS 27 Golden Gate enhance user experience.

The Mac mini keeps its tiny design but gets a major performance boost with the M6 chip, designed to crush AI tasks, and can be configured with an M5 Pro chip for more power. Plus, the new Mac Studio boasts either an M5 Max or M5 Ultra chip for more muscle as a desktop powerhouse.

Apple today announced the first Mac mini update in nearly two years. The new Mac mini keeps the same compact design, but delivers a major performance boost with the new M6 and M5 Pro configurations. The new Mac mini lineup is available to pre-order today. Head below for all the details.

Apple is announcing a new generation of the Mac Mini, once again offering two models: one with a new M6 chip and a higher-end model with the M5 Pro found in this year's MacBook Pro. The new Minis have the same tiny design and footprint as the 2024 M4 / M4 Pro models, but with […]