Apple announced the new Mac mini featuring the M6 and M5 Pro chips on August 25, 2026, marking a significant performance upgrade aimed at AI workloads and professional users.
The Mac mini with M6 delivers up to 4x faster AI performance, 2x faster graphics and storage, and 40 percent faster CPU performance compared to the M4 model, according to Apple. The M6 features a 12-core CPU and 12-core GPU with Neural Accelerators in each core for the first time on Mac mini. The chip includes a Dual 16-core Neural Engine providing up to 2x faster performance than the previous generation. Standard memory starts at 16GB of unified memory, configurable up to 32GB, with memory bandwidth up to 170GB/s.
Specific performance benchmarks include up to 13.5x faster LLM prompt processing in LM Studio compared to Mac mini with M1, and up to 2x faster gaming performance with ray tracing in Cyberpunk 2077: Ultimate Edition versus M4.
The Mac mini with M5 Pro targets professional workflows with up to an 18-core CPU and up to a 20-core GPU featuring third-generation ray tracing. It supports up to 64GB of unified memory with 307GB/s of memory bandwidth, enabling users to run larger local AI models and handle complex 3D work. According to Apple, the M5 Pro delivers up to 8.5x faster LLM prompt processing in LM Studio compared to Mac mini with M2 Pro, and up to 4.5x faster rendering performance in Blender versus M2 Pro.
Both models include Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth 6, and upgraded 2.5Gb Ethernet with a 10Gb option available. The M6 includes three Thunderbolt 4 ports on the back, while the M5 Pro features three Thunderbolt 5 ports. Thunderbolt 5 allows users to cluster multiple Mac mini systems to run large AI models on-device. Front connectivity includes two USB-C ports and a headphone jack.
The new Mac mini runs macOS 27, which includes Siri AI capabilities integrated into Spotlight and system-wide context menus, along with Apple Intelligence features for apps and productivity tasks.
According to Apple, the Mac mini is constructed with 50 percent recycled material overall. The new models are available for pre-order starting August 25, with availability beginning September 22.
Key facts
- Mac mini with M6 delivers up to 4x faster AI performance and 2x faster graphics and storage than M4
- M6 features 12-core CPU and 12-core GPU with Neural Accelerators; M5 Pro offers up to 18-core CPU and 20-core GPU
- M5 Pro supports up to 64GB unified memory with 307GB/s memory bandwidth
- Both models include Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth 6, and upgraded 2.5Gb Ethernet (10Gb option available)
- Pre-orders begin August 25, with availability starting September 22