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Products & Applications

Apple refreshes Mac mini and Mac Studio with faster chips ahead of fall launch

Apple has unveiled updated Mac mini and Mac Studio desktops with faster chips, available for pre-order now and shipping next month.

AI News Feed · 2026-08-27 07:47

The Mac mini and Mac Studio share similarities but differ in size and performance. The Mac mini is a compact 2-inch-tall box, while the Mac Studio is 3.7 inches tall and weighs over 6 pounds. Both require users to supply their own keyboard, mouse, and monitor, as none are included in the box.

For most users, the Mac mini is sufficient. It starts at $899 and includes an M6 chip, Apple's first built on 2-nanometer technology, with a 12-core CPU and 12-core GPU, 16GB RAM, and 256GB storage. Engadget suggests upgrading the storage, as 256GB is limited. The M6 handles basic tasks and some video editing easily.

For those needing more power, a Mac mini with the M5 Pro chip is available, matching the chip in the latest MacBook Pros. It offers up to 18 CPU cores, 16 GPU cores, and can be configured with up to 64GB RAM and 8TB SSD, suitable for 3D graphics and coding.

The Mac Studio targets power users. The base model features an M5 Max chip with 18 CPU cores and 32 GPU cores, starting at $2,499. It can handle heavy workloads like AI model training and demanding games. The top-end Mac Studio with an M5 Ultra, created by fusing two M5 Max chips, delivers up to 36 CPU cores and 80 GPU cores, with options for up to 512GB RAM and 16TB SSD, aimed at production studios, engineers, and scientists.

The Mac Studio also offers more ports: four Thunderbolt 5 ports at up to 120 Gbps, 10Gb Ethernet, HDMI, a headphone jack, two USB-A ports, and two additional USB-C ports on the front. The Mac mini has fewer ports, missing one Thunderbolt port and both USB-A ports.

Choosing between the two depends on the user's work. The Mac mini is enough for most people, while the Mac Studio is for those who need maximum performance without second-guessing. The price difference is significant, with the Mac Studio starting at $2,499, overkill for most users but appealing to a specific audience.