Apple Raises Mac Mini Prices Amid M6 and M5 Pro Launch
AI-generated image · Bay Street Wire
The compact desktop sees a $100 price hike across entry-level and Pro models as Apple introduces 2nm silicon and enhanced AI capabilities.
Apple has unveiled a new generation of the Mac Mini featuring the M6 and M5 Pro chips, accompanied by a price increase for both models. The Verge reports that the M6 Mac Mini's starting price is now $899, while the M5 Pro begins at $1,699. Both configurations represent a $100 increase over the starting prices of the previous M4 generation.
The hardware updates are significant. The M6 chip is Apple's first to utilize a 2nm process and features a 12-core CPU and 12-core GPU, which Apple claims provides a 40 percent CPU performance uplift over the M4. In its press release, Apple states the M6 provides up to 2x faster graphics and 4x faster AI performance compared to the M4 model. The M5 Pro variant offers up to an 18-core CPU and 20-core GPU, designed for heavier AI workloads such as diffusion models and video upscaling.
Beyond the silicon, both models now include 2.5 gigabit ethernet ports, Wi-Fi 7, and Bluetooth 6 via Apple's N1 chip. Storage speeds have doubled across the lineup. The M6 model maintains a base configuration of 16GB unified memory and 256GB of storage, while the M5 Pro starts at 24GB and 512GB.
Connectivity varies by chip: the M6 features Thunderbolt 4 ports on the rear, while the M5 Pro is equipped with Thunderbolt 5. Both machines will come preloaded with macOS 27 Golden Gate. Preorders are open now, with shipping scheduled to begin September 22, a date The Verge notes follows high demand for previous models used to run AI agents.