Apple unveiled a new M6‑powered Mac mini and upgraded Mac Studio with M5 Max and M5 Ultra chips, boosting AI performance for local model workloads.

Apple has refreshed its desktop lineup, introducing a M6‑powered Mac mini and an upgraded Mac Studio that ships with the new M5 Max and M5 Ultra chips, promising a noticeable lift in AI‑centric tasks and local model workloads.

New Mac mini with M6 chip

The latest Mac mini replaces the previous M2 and M2 Pro options with the M6, a chip that Apple says delivers up to 30% faster machine‑learning performance while maintaining the same compact form factor and fan‑cooled design.

Apple’s marketing highlights the M6’s integrated Neural Engine, which now supports larger on‑device models and faster inference for developers working with generative AI, computer vision, and speech‑to‑text applications.

Mac Studio upgrades: M5 Max and M5 Ultra

The Mac Studio line receives two new configurations. The entry‑level model now runs on the M5 Max, offering a step up from the prior M2 Ultra with more GPU cores and higher memory bandwidth. The top‑tier Mac Studio is equipped with the M5 Ultra, essentially two M5 Max dies fused together, delivering double the GPU cores and up to 64 GB of unified memory.

Both chips retain the same silicon‑level optimizations that Apple introduced with the M1 series, including a unified memory architecture that reduces data copying and improves overall system efficiency.

Performance and pricing

Apple claims the M5 Ultra can handle up to 2.5 TFLOPs of AI compute, a significant jump over the M2 Ultra’s capabilities. Early benchmarks suggest noticeable gains in tasks such as real‑time video encoding, large‑scale image generation, and multi‑model inference pipelines.

  • Mac mini starts at $699 with 8 GB unified memory
  • Mac Studio with M5 Max starts at $1,999
  • Mac Studio with M5 Ultra starts at $3,499

Pricing reflects the performance uplift, though Apple continues to position the Mac mini as an entry‑level option for developers and creators who need AI horsepower without a large footprint.

The new chips bring AI processing on‑device to a level that was previously only achievable with external accelerators.

Overall, Apple’s refreshed desktop offerings aim to keep the company competitive in a market where on‑device AI is becoming a key differentiator for creative professionals and enterprise users alike.

Engadget coverage of Apple’s Mac mini and Mac Studio refresh