Apple has opened pre-orders for the new Mac mini with M6 and M5 Pro chips, giving buyers two performance levels while keeping the same compact desktop design. Orders started on August 25, 2026, across 30 countries and regions, with deliveries and in-store availability beginning September 22.
The M6 Mac mini starts at $899 in the US, while the more powerful M5 Pro version starts at $1,699. Education pricing lowers those prices to $799 and $1,599 respectively.
Mac mini M6 vs M5 Pro
| Feature | Mac mini M6 | Mac mini M5 Pro |
|---|---|---|
| Starting price | $899 | $1,699 |
| CPU | 12-core | Up to 18-core |
| GPU | 12-core | Up to 20-core |
| Unified memory | 16GB to 32GB | Up to 64GB |
| Memory bandwidth | Up to 170GB/s | Up to 307GB/s |
| Rear Thunderbolt | 3x Thunderbolt 4 | 3x Thunderbolt 5 |
| Ethernet | 2.5Gb standard, 10Gb optional | 2.5Gb standard, 10Gb optional |
| Wireless | Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth 6 | Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth 6 |
The M6 model offers a major increase in everyday and AI performance, with Apple claiming up to 40 percent faster CPU performance, twice the graphics performance and up to four times faster AI performance compared with the M4 Mac mini. The M5 Pro configuration targets heavier workloads such as software development, 3D rendering, video production and running larger local AI models.
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How to pre-order the new Mac mini
You can pre-order directly through Apple’s online store or the Apple Store app.
- Open the Apple Store website or Apple Store app and select Mac.
- Choose Mac mini and select either the M6 or M5 Pro configuration.
- Choose your unified memory, SSD storage and Ethernet configuration.
- Add any accessories you need, including a display, keyboard or mouse.
- Select AppleCare+ if you want additional hardware and accidental-damage coverage.
- Add the Mac mini to your bag, enter your delivery or pickup details and complete payment.
- Check the estimated delivery date before placing the order, since customized configurations can have different shipping times.
Apple also allows eligible customers to trade in an existing computer for credit toward the purchase. Students and educators should check Apple’s Education Store before ordering because both Mac mini configurations receive a $100 education discount in the US.
Which Mac mini should you pre-order?
The M6 Mac mini makes the most sense for general productivity, programming, photo editing, lighter video work and local AI tasks, while its 32GB maximum memory should cover most mainstream workflows.
The M5 Pro version is better suited to developers, video editors, 3D artists and users running larger AI models because it supports up to 64GB of unified memory, provides much higher memory bandwidth and includes Thunderbolt 5.
Both models are available to pre-order now, with the first units scheduled to reach customers and Apple Stores on September 22.
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