Mac mini M6 and Mac Studio M5: Prices, Specs, and Availability
Apple's new desktop Macs arrived on 22 September 2026: Mac mini with M6 or M5 Pro, and Mac Studio with M5 Max or M5 Ultra. Here are the US starting prices, what changed, and the part that matters for budget buyers: the Mac mini starts $100 higher than the outgoing M4 generation's last Apple list price.
Every Price
| Model | Price | Education | Max memory |
| Mac mini M6 | $899 | $799 | 32GB |
| Mac mini M5 Pro | $1,699 | $1,599 | 64GB |
| Mac Studio M5 Max | $2,499 | $2,299 | 128GB |
| Mac Studio M5 Ultra | $5,499 | $5,099 | 512GB |
Apple began selling the new Mac mini and Mac Studio on 22 September. Delivery dates vary by configuration and location. The 512GB-memory Mac Studio option is expected in late October.
The Mac mini Went Up $100
This is the number that matters most to anyone shopping on price. The outgoing M4 Mac mini started at $799. The new M6 model starts at $899. The Pro tier moved the same way: the M4 Pro mini was $1,599, and the M5 Pro version is $1,699.
The base M6 mini has 16GB of unified memory and a 256GB SSD. Faster silicon and 2.5Gb Ethernet are reasons to consider it, but do not assume a newer chip means more storage: compare the exact RAM and SSD configurations before judging the $100 price increase.
The M5 Max Studio keeps the $2,499 starting price of its M4 Max predecessor. The Ultra tier does rise: the M5 Ultra starts at $5,499, $200 above the outgoing $5,299 M3 Ultra configuration.
What You Actually Get
Mac mini with M6. Apple claims up to 4x faster AI performance and 40 percent faster CPU than the M4 mini, with large language model processing up to 4.8x faster. It carries three Thunderbolt 4 ports on the back, two front USB-C ports, HDMI, 2.5Gb Ethernet with a 10Gb option, Wi-Fi 7 and Bluetooth 6. Memory starts at 16GB and configures to 32GB.
Mac mini with M5 Pro. The step up moves to Thunderbolt 5 and up to 64GB of memory, with Apple citing up to 4x faster AI performance than M4 Pro in its selected tests. That is not a fourfold speedup for every application. Consider this configuration for demanding video work and code builds, and look for benchmarks in the software you use.
Mac Studio. Apple claims up to 3.9x faster AI performance and up to 50 percent faster graphics for M5 Max versus M4 Max. For M5 Ultra, Apple cites up to 4.3x the peak AI compute, 1.8x graphics performance and 1.3x multithreaded performance of M3 Ultra. The Studio offers up to six Thunderbolt 5 ports and drives up to eight displays, depending on configuration. These are manufacturer claims from selected tests, not independent measurements or universal speedups.
Should You Buy One?
If you want an M4 mini, compare refurbished options. TheresMac now lists these older desktops only in the refurbished catalog. Compare the exact memory, storage, seller warranty and condition—not just the chip name. Refurbished inventory fluctuates, and an out-of-stock price is a reference point, not an offer you can buy today.
If you need a desktop now, compare current offers. The M6 mini and M5 Studio are orderable from Apple, and TheresMac tracks verified retailer listings for specific configurations. A live listing can still have a later delivery estimate; check the seller's checkout page for your location before a time-sensitive purchase.
If you are a student or at a school, education pricing takes $100 off both minis and $200 to $400 off the Studio, which cancels the mini increase outright. The M6 mini at the education price is $799, exactly what the M4 mini cost everyone else.
Where to Buy
The catalog tracks six new configurations. Apple links open a configurator; select the exact chip, memory and SSD listed. Best Buy offers use exact product pages. Availability and delivery estimates can change by location and configuration.
Sources: Apple's Mac mini announcement, Mac Studio announcement, and September availability update. Prices are US consumer prices before tax; education pricing requires eligibility.
Bottom Line
The M6 mini starts $100 above the last M4 Apple list price; the M5 Max Studio keeps the previous Studio entry price, while the M5 Ultra tier rises $200. Both families are available now. Buy the configuration that fits your work and compare its current retailer offer with a like-for-like refurbished predecessor before deciding whether the new performance is worth the gap.
Related: Should You Buy a Mac Now or Wait?, the late 2026 Mac roadmap, and Mac mini M4 vs M4 Pro.