In a highly anticipated update, Apple has unveiled its latest desktop computers, the Mac mini and Mac Studio, now equipped with the cutting-edge M6 and M5 processors. These new additions to Apple's lineup promise impressive performance enhancements, marking a significant leap forward in computing power for both professionals and everyday users.
The revamped Mac mini is powered by the state-of-the-art M6 chip, built using a 2nm process. This chip boasts a revolutionary 12-core CPU, a powerful 12-core GPU, and dual 16-core NPUs. Apple claims that this new CPU delivers the fastest single-core performance available globally. The upgraded GPU is reported to be twice as fast for graphics processing and four times more efficient for AI tasks compared to its predecessor, the M4. Additionally, the NPU's performance has been enhanced, offering twice the previous capability.
Starting configurations for the M6 Mac mini include 16GB of unified memory, which can be upgraded to 32GB, along with a base storage of 256GB that is expandable to 2TB.
For users seeking more performance, Apple has introduced the M5 Pro variant of the Mac mini, featuring a robust 15-core CPU and a 12-core GPU, alongside a single 16-core NPU. This model comes standard with 24GB of memory and can be configured to 64GB, while storage begins at 512GB and can be expanded to an impressive 8TB.
The new Mac mini also sees enhancements in connectivity with Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth 6, and upgraded Ethernet options, including a 2.5Gb base with a 10Gb alternative available. The pricing for the updated Mac mini starts at $899 for the M6 version and $1699 for the M5 Pro model.
Turning to the Mac Studio, this model now incorporates the M5 Max chip previously introduced with the MacBook Pro and a new flagship option, the M5 Ultra. The M5 Max offers flexibility with an 18-core CPU and either a 32-core or 40-core GPU configuration. Standard memory stands at 32GB, with upgrade options up to 64GB for the 32-core GPU and 128GB for the 40-core GPU. Storage begins at 512GB and can be upgraded to 8TB.
The M5 Ultra chip, Apple’s most powerful chip to date, features two dual M5 Ultra dies linked via Apple's UltraFusion technology, providing a staggering 4.4TB/s bandwidth. The standard configuration includes a 30-core CPU and a 64-core GPU, with an optional upgrade to a 36-core CPU and 80-core GPU. The Mac Studio begins with 96GB of memory, expandable to 512GB with the 80-core GPU configuration, and has a default storage of 1TB that can ramp up to 16TB.
Both the Mac mini and Mac Studio are equipped with Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth 6, and multiple Thunderbolt 5 ports. The starting price for the M5 Max Mac Studio is set at $2499, while the M5 Ultra model kicks off at $5499. The fully maxed-out Mac Studio can reach up to $18,299, contingent on memory enhancements planned for late October.
