Apple launches $899 Mac mini with M6 chip, raising entry price by $300

Apple introduced an updated Mac mini that retains the same compact design but upgrades to the company’s first M6-series chip. The base configuration offers 16 GB of RAM and 256 GB of storage for $899, which is $300 more than the 2024 model that used the M4 processor.

The M6 chip adds two “Super” performance cores to a mix of four standard performance cores and six efficiency cores, bringing the total to 12 CPU cores. GPU capacity rises to 12 cores, and the neural engine doubles to 32 cores. Benchmarks show the M6 delivering roughly 8-10 % faster single-core performance and about 20 % better multi-core performance compared with the M5, while graphics output improves by around 10 %.

All Mac mini units keep the same port layout, including two front-facing USB-C ports, a headphone jack, and rear Thunderbolt connections—Thunderbolt 4 on the M6 model and Thunderbolt 5 on the higher-end M5 Pro variant. The chassis is slightly taller than earlier generations but maintains a 5 × 5-inch footprint and active cooling via a bottom vent.

"The M6 mini’s single-core is roughly 8 to 10 percent faster than the M5 family’s in our benchmarks; graphics performance is also up by roughly 10 percent," the reviewer noted.

Apple’s pricing shift moves the entry-level Mac mini back to a price point similar to earlier generations, where a base M1 model cost $699 and a 16 GB RAM upgrade added $200. The reviewer highlighted that, despite the performance gains, the higher cost may challenge buyers who previously valued the Mac mini for its affordability.