Apple Unveils M6 and M5 Ultra Chips, New Mac Mini & Studio

Apple is shaking up its lineup with the introduction of two new powerful processors: the M6 and M5 Ultra. These chips are set to power the latest iterations of the Mac Mini and Mac Studio, respectively. For tech enthusiasts eager to get their hands on the newest Apple hardware, preorders are already live directly from Apple's official channels. Most configurations are expected to begin shipping out on September 22nd, 2026.

The new Mac Mini, now featuring the M6 chip, starts at $899. This represents a notable price increase of $300 compared to the M4-equipped base model released in 2024. On the higher end, the Mac Studio, equipped with the M5 Ultra, begins at $2,499, maintaining the same price point as its M4 Max predecessor.

This announcement arrives just a few weeks before Apple's typical schedule for its annual iPhone event. The focus for these upgraded macOS computers appears to be a significant boost in AI performance and enhanced connectivity. Apple has made several claims regarding substantial performance gains over the previous generations. For those seeking in-depth details, dedicated announcement posts for the Mac Mini and Mac Studio are available.

Digging into the specifics, the Mac Mini with the M6 chip starts at $899, while the M5 Pro variant is priced at $1,699. This marks a considerable upgrade from the previous generation, which only offered M4 and M4 Max chips. Beyond the processor enhancements, the new Mac Mini boasts improved connectivity, including 2.5Gb Ethernet as standard, alongside the latest Bluetooth 6 and Wi-Fi 7 standards.

For the Mac Studio, the updated model featuring the M5 Max chip, 36GB of unified memory, and 512GB of storage, starts at $2,499. The M5 Ultra version, which comes with a generous 96GB of RAM and a 1TB SSD, is set at $5,499. While the base models are slated for a September 22nd release, configurations with a massive 512GB of RAM, with pricing yet to be confirmed, won't be available until late October.