Apple is giving its desktop lineup an update. The Mac mini and the Mac Studio are getting new chips, faster connectivity, and a higher price tag.
Apple is launching a new Mac mini and a new Mac Studio. Little is changing regarding the housing: Apple still refers to the same compact design for the mini, and the Studio also retains its familiar aluminum block. Inside, however, are new components, with the M6 and M5 Ultra as the most notable innovations.
Mac mini: two chips, two types of Thunderbolt
The Mac mini comes in two versions. The entry-level version runs on the new M6 with twelve CPU and twelve GPU cores, and starts with 16 GB of memory and 256 GB of storage. Configurations with 24 GB and 32 GB of memory and up to 1 TB of storage are available.
Above that is a model with the M5 Pro. This is a chip that Apple already introduced in the MacBook Pro in March. That version starts with fifteen CPU cores, sixteen GPU cores, 24 GB of memory, and 512 GB of storage, and goes up to eighteen CPU cores, twenty GPU cores, 64 GB of memory, and 1 TB of storage.
Pay attention to the ports, because there is a difference that cannot be seen from the outside. Both models have three USB-C ports at the back, but on the M6 version, these are Thunderbolt 4 (40 Gb/s) and on the M5 Pro version, Thunderbolt 5 (120 Gb/s). This distinction already existed in the previous generation, but it is still striking because the M6, given its naming, claims to be a generation ahead.
On the front of both devices are two USB-C ports with USB 3 and a headphone jack; at the back, there are also HDMI and Ethernet. That Ethernet port is a significant improvement: while the previous Mac mini came with gigabit Ethernet as standard, it is now 2.5 Gb. Ten gigabit remains a paid option. Also new for both models are Wi-Fi 7 and Bluetooth 6, which replace Wi-Fi 6E and Bluetooth 5.3.
Mac Studio: six times Thunderbolt 5
The Mac Studio gets the M5 Max or the M5 Ultra. The entry-level configuration combines eighteen CPU cores with 32 GPU cores, 36 GB of memory, and 512 GB of storage. Those who choose the M5 Ultra start with thirty CPU cores, 64 GPU cores, 96 GB of memory, and 1 TB of storage.
Apple provides up to six Thunderbolt 5 ports, good for 120 Gb/s per connection. This allows the device to support up to eight displays, including up to four Studio Display XDRs at full 5K resolution at 120 Hz. The Mac Studio also now gets Wi-Fi 7 and Bluetooth 6, which is a first for this device.
The SSD is built for PCIe Gen 6 and is said to be up to twice as fast as the previous generation. Via Thunderbolt 5 and RDMA, you can link multiple Mac Studios together to run larger AI models locally; according to Apple, four linked systems provide three times faster inference than a single device. Both desktops also support genlock via USB-C, allowing you to synchronize a display and a professional camera.
Pricing and availability
Both devices run on macOS 27, which will be released as a free update this fall. Ordering is possible starting today, with delivery beginning on September 22. The Mac Studio configuration with 512 GB of memory will not follow until late October.
The Mac mini with the new M6 is available starting at 1,069 euros incl. VAT. For that, you get the version with 16 GB of RAM. The Mac Studio is available starting at 3,029 euros. Apple does not yet allow configuration of this device, so assume that price applies to the version with the M5 Max. The M5 Ultra edition will cost a bit more.