Apple's new Mac Mini is now just 0.82 liters in size and runs on the M6 chip. But the entry price climbs from €599 to €899, making it the priciest Mac Mini yet.
The Mac Mini has never been this small-or this costly. The 2026 model comes in a tiny 0.82L case. You can hide it behind a monitor or slide it under a desk. But the real shock is the price. The base M6 Mac Mini now starts at €899, up from €599 for the M4. In the US, the M6 with 16 GB unified memory and 256 GB storage launches at $899. That's $300 more than the M4's starting price for the same specs.
If you want a lot of power in a small box, the new Mac Mini delivers. The M6 chip packs a 12-core CPU and 12-core GPU in the base model. That's a big jump from the last generation. The M5 Pro version goes even further, with a 15-core CPU, 16-core GPU, and 24 GB unified memory. It sets a new high for performance in Apple's compact desktops. Both models keep plenty of ports, including a front headphone jack. The M5 Pro adds Thunderbolt 5. Storage is fast, and the case is so light it weighs less than some gaming laptop chargers.
Unmatched compact power
The Mac Mini stands out in a crowded mini PC market. Its small size doesn't mean less power or fewer ports. Even as rivals like the Acemagic K5 try to shake up the desktop scene, as reported earlier, Apple's Mac Mini is still the go-to for anyone who wants MacOS in a small package. But Apple still leaves out an SD card slot, which is a problem for creative users who need removable storage.
The M6 chip is more than enough for most people. The M5 Pro is a powerhouse in a case that barely takes up any room. Both versions have lots of ports, but neither has an SD card slot-a missing feature that creative pros keep noticing. The built-in speakers are still just "better than nothing." Even at this price, some compromises remain. For schools, Apple offers special pricing: $799 for the M6 Mac Mini and $1,599 for the M5 Pro. That shows Apple's different approach for education buyers.
Базовая версия Mac mini M6 теперь оснащается 12-ядерным CPU, 12-ядерным GPU и 16 ГБ unified memory - это заметный шаг вперёд по сравнению с предыдущим поколением.
Value and limitations
The price jump is hard to miss. At €899, the base Mac Mini is no longer the cheap way into the Mac world. The M5 Pro, at €1699, gets so close to the Mac Studio that buyers who want top performance might start to wonder if it's worth it. Still, with tech prices up everywhere in 2024, the Mac Mini's mix of power, size, and flexibility keeps it at the front of the compact desktop pack. Retailers are already cutting prices. Amazon has dropped the base M6 to about $880, showing how fast the pricing game is moving.
Apple's move to raise prices while making the Mac Mini even smaller marks a clear change. The days of the ultra-cheap Mac desktop are over. But if you need a small, strong, and flexible Mac, there's still nothing else quite like it. The Mac Mini is still the best value in Apple's desktop range, but now you pay more for it-and the competition is catching up. For more on Apple's official specs and product details, check the Apple Mac Mini portal.
