Apple has released new Mac Mini models featuring the M6 and M5 Pro chips, representing a significant performance upgrade over the previous M4 generation. However, the launch is accompanied by a substantial price increase: the base model has risen from $599 to $899, which represents a $300 real-world jump when accounting for discontinued storage configurations. The company has attributed this partly to supply constraints and demand from users running specialised software like OpenClaw. Despite this, the Mac Mini remains the most affordable desktop in Apple's lineup.

The new M6 chip features 12 processor cores (comprising 2 super, 4 performance, and 6 efficiency cores) and 12 graphics cores, an increase from the M4's 10-core configuration. The M6 achieves the fastest single-core performance of any processor currently available, roughly 10 percent quicker than the M5 Pro's cores and 20 percent faster than the M4. For multithreaded workloads, the higher-core-count M5 Pro compensates by delivering 40–50 percent greater performance than the base M6 model. The iconic compact form factor remains unchanged at 0.82 litres, with reviewers noting it is smaller than many gaming laptop chargers.