Apple’s 2026 Mac desktop lineup tested: We break down all four options
We break down Apple's 2026 Mac desktop lineup, testing M6 Mac mini and M5 Studio performance, price increases, and specs.
PCMag's Joe Osborne and CNET's Josh Goldman dissect Apple's upcoming Mac desktop lineup in their latest Lab Report. They evaluate the performance enhancements and upgraded Apple Intelligence of the base Mac mini M6, alongside the workstation-class M5 Pro mini and Mac Studio models equipped with M5 Max and M5 Ultra chips. The report examines whether the recent price increases are justified for creators, power users, and general Mac enthusiasts, and offers guidance on selecting the right model.
The episode commences with an overview of the Mac mini M6, its pricing, and a comparison of its performance against PC mini PCs. The hosts also delve into the Mac mini's design and connectivity features.
A focus on AI workloads and the required RAM comes next, followed by an analysis of the Mac mini with the M5 Pro chip. They discuss memory bandwidth and future-proofing aspects of this configuration.
Listeners are then guided on who should consider purchasing the M5 Pro model. The report shifts to the Mac Studio, featuring the M5 Max and M5 Ultra chips, and explores their capabilities.
The segment on gaming on Apple Silicon is next, followed by a final verdict and recommendations. The video is hosted by Joe Osborne and Josh Goldman, scripted by the same duo, and produced by Numidas Prasarn. The camera work is by Prasarn, the video editing by Dillon Lopez, and thumbnail design by Zooey Liao.
Written by urgent.news from Mashable's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
