Apple M6 Mac Mini Starts at $899, Ships September 22
Apple’s M6 Mac Mini starts at $899 with faster AI, graphics and storage, while M5 Pro and new M5 Max and Ultra Mac Studios arrive September 22 with Wi-Fi 7.
Summary
Apple unveiled its M6 Mac Mini on August 25, 2026, priced from $899 with 256GB storage and 16GB RAM. Apple claims 4x the AI performance and twice the storage and graphics speed of the M4 model. The M6 has a 12-core CPU and 12-core GPU, versus 10 cores each for M4. A $1,699 M5 Pro version includes 512GB storage, 24GB RAM, a 15-core CPU and 16-core GPU, upgradeable to an 18-core CPU and 20-core GPU. Both models offer Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth 6, 2.5Gb Ethernet and optional 10Gb Ethernet. Preorders are open, with shipping beginning September 22 alongside macOS 27 and Siri AI.
Apple also released Mac Studios with M5 Max and M5 Ultra, starting at $2,499 and $5,499. Their base configurations provide 36GB unified memory and 512GB storage, or 96GB and 1TB, respectively. Mac Mini demand grew among enthusiasts running local OpenClaw and Hermes AI agents, contributing to eBay markups earlier in 2026. The $899 entry model costs $100 more than the previous $799 M4 base while halving storage from 512GB, and $300 more than Apple’s discontinued $599, 256GB model.
Positives
- Apple claims the M6 delivers 4x the M4 Mac Mini’s AI performance and twice its storage and graphics speed.
- The M6 increases both CPU and GPU counts from 10 cores on M4 to 12 cores.
- Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth 6 and 2.5Gb Ethernet are standard on both new Mac Mini variants.
- The M5 Pro Mac Mini can be upgraded to an 18-core CPU and 20-core GPU.
- September 22 shipments include macOS 27 and Siri AI.
Risks & concerns
- The $899 M6 base costs $100 more than the $799 M4 base despite cutting storage from 512GB to 256GB.
- The new entry price is $300 above Apple’s discontinued $599 Mac Mini with the same 256GB storage capacity.
- Preordered Mac Minis will not begin shipping until September 22.
- Earlier demand for running OpenClaw and Hermes locally contributed to marked-up Mac Mini prices on eBay.
