Apple’s new AI-ready Mac Minis, Mac Studio go on sale today: Here’s what to know

Apple has released upgraded versions of its Mac Mini and Mac Studio desktop computers, designed to handle artificial intelligence (AI) tasks locally without relying on cloud-hosted models. These new machines utilize the M6 and M5 Pro chips, with Mac Studio models featuring the M5 Max and M5 Ultra chips. The primary appeal is their ability to process AI tasks locally, eliminating concerns about token limits that often restrict cloud-based AI models like those from OpenAI or Anthropic.

These Macs are positioned as versatile all-in-one desktops for a diverse user base, including students and small business owners. While previous Mac Studio models were aimed at content creators, Apple has introduced new AI-specific features such as chip-to-chip networking called RDMA over Thunderbolt. Demonstrations at Apple's recent launch event showcased multiple Mac Studios working together to run a trillion-parameter AI model for debugging graphics coding issues.

The new desktops signal Apple's move into enterprise computing, directly competing with Nvidia and other PC manufacturers. Apple holds about 4.6% of the enterprise desktop market, compared to Windows' dominance at 91.3%, according to IDC's Linn Huang. Despite the challenge, Apple believes its expertise in optimizing performance in portable devices like iPhones will give it an edge.

Johny Srouji, Apple's chief hardware officer, emphasized that once a user purchases the machine, they won't incur any additional costs per token. The Macs offer significant performance for the price, with no ongoing token costs. Johny Srouji explained that their stack of Macs can handle AI workloads typically requiring substantial data-center infrastructure, potentially offering a more cost-effective solution for businesses.

Both Mac Minis and Mac Studio models are available in India at Apple Stores, on apple.com, and through the Apple Store app. Pricing starts at Rs 99,990 for the Mac Mini with M6 and goes up to Rs 6,29,900 for the Mac Studio with M5 Ultra. These Macs boast next-generation GPUs with Neural Accelerators, advanced CPUs, and Neural Engines, making them ideal for on-device AI tasks such as photo editing, running local models, or creating AI agents for automation.

With macOS 27 and Apple Intelligence features, including Siri AI, these Macs represent a powerful platform for AI applications both locally and across Apple's device ecosystem.