Apple unveiled updated Mac mini models on August 25, featuring new M6 and M5 Pro chips; sales start on September 22. The base M6 Mac mini begins at $899 (roughly HUF 279,000 at current exchange rates) and — according to Apple — brings sizable performance gains for local AI workloads and graphics compared with the previous generation.
M6: 2 nm process, AI accelerators and an affordable entry point
The M6 is Apple’s first chip manufactured on a 2‑nanometer process. It includes 12 CPU cores and 12 GPU cores, and the graphics units incorporate neural accelerators. In Apple’s own benchmarks the M6 Mac mini may deliver:
- up to 4x faster performance on AI tasks compared with the M4,
- up to 2x faster graphics performance,
- around a 40% increase in CPU performance.
The base configuration ships with 16 GB of unified memory shared between CPU and GPU, which is beneficial for running local AI models. However, upgrading memory increases cost quickly: moving to 32 GB costs an additional $400 (about HUF 124,000), and the M6 does not support beyond 32 GB.
M5 Pro: a workstation in a small box
The Mac mini with M5 Pro starts at $1,699 (about HUF 528,000). The M5 Pro configuration supports up to 18 CPU cores and 20 GPU cores, up to 64 GB of unified memory and 307 GB/s of memory bandwidth. Because of its higher memory capacity and bandwidth, the M5 Pro is more suitable for users who run larger local AI models, heavier video projects, or other data‑intensive workloads.
Connectivity and scaling
Both Mac mini models include Wi‑Fi 7, Bluetooth 6 and 2.5‑gigabit Ethernet. The M6 model has three Thunderbolt 4 ports, while the M5 Pro offers three Thunderbolt 5 ports; Thunderbolt 5 enables connecting multiple Mac minis to build larger systems for running bigger AI models.
Mac Studio: the other end of the price scale
Apple also refreshed the Mac Studio line with M5 Max and M5 Ultra chips. The M5 Max Mac Studio begins at $2,499 (about HUF 776,000) and the M5 Ultra at $5,499 (about HUF 1.71 million). Top configurations can include up to 36 CPU cores and 80 GPU cores and up to 512 GB of unified memory. Pricing rises steeply for high‑end options: for example, a 256 GB memory option by itself can add some $4,000 (roughly HUF 1.24 million) to the price, and fully equipped Studio systems may cost many tens of thousands of dollars.
How Apple positions the Mac mini
Apple is pitching the Mac mini not only as a traditional home or office desktop but also as a platform for always‑on AI agents — small, continuously running servers for local AI workloads.
Comparison with the iPhone 18 Pro and the price debate
The Mac mini’s value proposition looks stronger when compared with early reports about the iPhone 18 Pro. Preliminary estimates suggest the iPhone 18 Pro 256 GB base price could reach $1,399 (about HUF 445,000), roughly a 30% increase over the iPhone 17 Pro. Analysts attribute much of that projected price rise to higher memory chip costs; estimates suggest the iPhone 18 Pro’s bill of materials could increase by as much as 38%.
If independent benchmarks confirm Apple’s performance claims for the M6, the $899 M6 Mac mini may be an especially compelling buy for users seeking local AI and improved graphics at a modest entry price. For the iPhone 18 Pro, by contrast, Apple may face tougher scrutiny to justify a potentially substantial price increase.
