Apple’s 2026 Mac mini adds M6, raises prices

Apple’s 2026 Mac mini lineup, announced August 25 and shipping from September 22, pairs the new M6 chip with an M5 Pro option, adds faster storage and updated connectivity, and raises prices. The M6 model starts at $899, while the M5 Pro starts at $1,699, according to several reports on the configurations. A separate account listed a higher starting price, but did not clarify the configuration or market behind that figure. Both models retain the compact design introduced in 2024. The M6 has a 12-core CPU and 12-core GPU, replacing the M4’s 10-core CPU and GPU. The M5 Pro is the higher-performance option for demanding workloads, with configurations reaching an 18-core CPU and 20-core GPU. It also offers more memory capacity and bandwidth than the M6. The different chip generations may be confusing, but the M5 Pro’s added cores and capabilities make it the more powerful choice for some professional tasks. Connectivity upgrades are shared across the lineup: WiFi 7, Bluetooth 6 and 2.5Gb Ethernet are now standard. The M6 has three Thunderbolt 4 ports, while the M5 Pro has three Thunderbolt 5 ports.