Apple unveils $899 Mac mini with M6 chip, marking a $300 price increase over previous model

Apple introduced a new Mac mini powered by its M6 chip with a starting price of $899, $300 more than the M4 model launched at $599. The device retains the same compact 5-inch square, 2-inch tall chassis and silver finish as its predecessor, preserving the port layout that includes two front USB-C ports, a headphone jack, three Thunderbolt 4 ports, HDMI, 2.5 Gb Ethernet and a power connector. Wireless connectivity has been upgraded to Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth 6 and Apple’s N1 networking chip.

The M6 configuration features a 12-core CPU, a 12-core GPU with neural accelerators on each core, and a dual 16-core Neural Engine. Base memory is 16 GB of unified RAM, expandable to 24 GB or 32 GB, with storage options ranging from 256 GB to 2 TB. In benchmark testing, the M6 achieved roughly 25 % higher single-core Geekbench 7 scores than the M4 and approached the single-core performance of the M5 Pro, though the M5 Pro remained ahead in multi-core and memory bandwidth metrics.

Apple also offers an M5 Pro variant that starts at $1,699 and includes a 15-core or 18-core CPU, up to a 20-core GPU, 24-64 GB of RAM and up to 307 GB/s memory bandwidth, positioning it for users who need more intensive local AI processing.

Performance reviewers noted that the M6 handles everyday tasks such as app launches, coding, photo editing and light video work with ease, and it can run small local AI models, though it is not suited for larger, general-purpose models. The device’s price point, however, makes it a less compelling upgrade for owners of the previous M4 mini unless their workflows specifically require the newer AI and graphics capabilities.

Overall, the 2026 Mac mini remains a compact, quiet desktop with a robust port selection and strong macOS ecosystem support, but potential buyers must weigh the higher entry price against their performance needs and possible alternatives like the M5 Pro or waiting for future price adjustments.