Mac mini M6: Apple hikes AI and prices up to +50%

Apple launches a new Mac mini with M6 and M5 Pro chips, quadrupling AI performance and doubling graphics and storage. But prices soar: up to +50% compared to the previous generation, with configurations exceeding €3000.

M6 and M5 Pro chips designed for AI

The Mac mini M6 features a 12-core chip (CPU and GPU) and a 16-core Neural Engine per block, totaling two 16-core engines. Result: Apple promises AI request processing up to 4 times faster than the M4, and 2 times faster than the M5 for graphics and storage. Memory bandwidth reaches 170 GB/s, with 16 GB of unified RAM as standard (up to 32 GB).

The M5 Pro version ramps up power: up to 18 CPU cores and 20 GPU cores, with Neural Accelerators in each GPU core. It supports up to 64 GB of RAM and a bandwidth of 307 GB/s, ideal for local AI models or complex 3D scenes. Apple targets developers, designers, and studios with this configuration.

Prices that no longer bring smiles

The Mac mini M6 starts at $899 (around €830), $300 more than the M4 at its launch in October 2024. In Europe, the increase reaches 50% compared to the previous model. The M5 Pro configuration with 18 CPU cores and 20 GPU cores costs €1,999, and rises to €2,219 for the high-end version. With 64 GB of RAM and 8 TB of storage, the Mac mini M5 Pro exceeds €3,300.

The surcharges add up: adding 2 TB of storage costs $1,000 (more than the base price of the Mac mini), and upgrading to 4 TB on the M5 Pro adds $1,800. The Mac Studio M5 Ultra, with 36 CPU cores, 80 GPU cores, and 256 GB of RAM, reaches $18,299 (or €18,679 in Europe).

Connectivity and software: what’s new

The Mac mini adopts Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth 6, and 2.5 Gb Ethernet (10 Gb optional). The M6 retains Thunderbolt 4, while the M5 Pro moves to Thunderbolt 5, enabling multiple Mac mini units to be linked for running local AI models. A new feature: genlock support via USB-C, to sync display and camera (like the iPhone 17 Pro) without an external box.

The new Mac mini and Mac Studio will run on macOS 27 Golden Gate, available starting September 22. This system integrates Siri AI, capable of understanding personal context (messages, emails, photos) and interacting with apps via voice or text commands. Apple Intelligence, Apple’s AI layer, adds advanced photo editing tools, simplified automation in Shortcuts, and improved search in Safari.

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Availability and sustainability

Pre-orders have been open since August 25, with a release scheduled for September 22. Apple notes that the Mac mini is made with 50% recycled materials (100% recycled aluminum for the enclosure, 100% recycled rare earth elements for the magnets). The electricity used for its production comes from renewable sources, as part of Apple’s goal to achieve carbon neutrality by 2030.

“Mac mini has always been our most versatile Mac. Today, we’re going even further. With a more powerful CPU and graphics, Neural Accelerators in the GPU, and increased memory bandwidth, the Mac mini with M6 delivers a whole new level of AI performance.” — Johny Srouji, Apple’s hardware chiefTranslated from French

Apple is banking on AI to justify the price hike, but the Mac mini loses its status as an affordable machine. Professionals will gain in power, while others will have to choose between performance and budget. The question remains: who will pay €3,000 for a computer without a screen?

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