Apple just unexpectedly released a new M6 Mac mini—and raised prices again

Apple has unveiled two entirely new desktop computers, the updated Mac Studio and Mac mini, surprising many with this announcement just before the highly anticipated iPhone 18 launch. The Mac Studio and Mac mini both feature brand-new chipsets, the M6 and M5 Ultra, respectively. The M6 chip is particularly noteworthy as it's the first to utilize TSMC's advanced 2-nanometer process, offering superior power efficiency and computational power compared to the previous 3-nanometer chips found in the M5 series used in Macs and iPhones.

While the new Mac mini starts at $899 for the entry-level M6 model, a price increase from the previous $599, the higher-end M5 Pro version is even more expensive at $1,699. The Mac Studio, which replaces the aging Mac Pro, comes with the M5 Max and M5 Ultra chips, boasting significantly enhanced performance capabilities. Unfortunately, both the Mac mini and Mac Studio are set to ship on September 22, nearly a month after their announcement, due to demand for these powerful machines, particularly for running large language models and AI locally.

This price hike comes amidst an ongoing AI-fueled memory shortage, which has driven up the cost of components across the board. The shortage is projected to worsen throughout 2027, potentially leading to continued price increases for Apple products. As the last new products under outgoing CEO Tim Cook's leadership, the new Mac mini and Mac Studio mark the end of an era, with incoming CEO John Ternus set to take the reins and unveil Apple's future products, including the company's first foldable smartphone, in September.