Apple launches M6 Mac mini and M5 Ultra Mac Studio with price increases across desktop line

New silicon architecture and the M6 Mac mini

Apple introduced updated desktop computers on August 25, 2026, debuting its 2-nanometer M6 processor alongside the higher-tier M5 Pro in the Mac mini. The base M6 processor features a 12-core central processor configured with two super cores, four performance cores, and six efficiency cores, paired with a 12-core graphics processor. Memory bandwidth reaches 170 GB per second, while a dual 16-core Neural Engine doubles peak artificial intelligence processing speeds compared to earlier models. According to Apple, the M6 delivers a 20 percent uplift in multithreaded performance over the M5 and up to four times the AI task speed of the M4 generation. Hardware executive Sri Santhanam detailed the design during the product announcement.

Built using the cutting-edge 2 nm process, M6 combines a new CPU complex, two additional CPU and GPU cores, a Dual 16-core Neural Engine, and more unified memory bandwidth to power through workloads with amazing energy efficiency.

Mac Studio and M5 Ultra capabilities

The refreshed Mac Studio lineup introduces configurations powered by the M5 Max and the M5 Ultra processor. The M5 Ultra uses a quad-die architecture that connects two dual-die M5 Max processors with Ultrafusion technology, providing 4.4 TB per second of inter-die bandwidth. The processor holds up to 36 CPU cores (comprising 12 super cores and 24 performance cores) and an 80-core GPU equipped with dedicated Neural Accelerators. Unified memory reaches up to 512GB with 1.2 TB per second of bandwidth, enabling systems to load large language models directly into memory. In connectivity, the M5 Ultra Mac Studio adds six Thunderbolt 5 ports capable of 120Gb per second transfer speeds, supporting up to eight external monitors or four 5K Studio Display XDR screens at 120Hz.

Pricing and hardware configurations

Apple increased prices across its desktop line, following memory market price pressures driven by data center demand. The base Mac mini with an M6 chip, 16GB of unified memory, and 256GB of storage starts at $899, representing a $100 increase over the prior generation. A higher-tier Mac mini with an M5 Pro chip, 24GB of memory, and 512GB of storage starts at $1,699, with optional upgrades to an 18-core CPU and 20-core GPU. The Mac Studio begins at $2,499 for the M5 Max edition with 36GB of memory, while the base M5 Ultra model with 96GB of memory and 1TB of storage starts at $5,499. Pre-orders opened on August 25, 2026, with customer shipments scheduled to begin on September 22.

Local artificial intelligence and executive handover

The desktop refresh addresses sustained customer demand for local hardware capable of hosting autonomous software agents such as OpenClaw and Hermes. High retail demand had depleted Mac mini inventories at several Apple retail locations in the months preceding the release. Johny Srouji, Apple senior vice president of hardware technologies, noted the versatility of the compact machine in handling always-on local workflows.

Whether it's being used as a home computer, powering a professional studio, or as an always-on agentic device, it's the little Mac that can do it all.

The launch arrives during an executive transition, marking what is expected to be the final product unveiling under chief executive Tim Cook before hardware lead John Ternus assumes leadership. All newly announced desktop models will ship with macOS 27 and updated Siri AI features.