Apple launches the M6 Mac mini and M5 Pro Mac mini on September 22, with both models available to pre-order since August 25, and no major design changes from the prior generation, MacRumors reports. Early reviews praise the new M6 and M5 Pro chips for substantially stronger performance and improved AI and efficiency capabilities, with reviewers calling the updated minis technical standouts. Critics note Apple raised the base Mac mini price to about $899, roughly a $300 increase versus the prior entry model, which reviewers say undercuts the Mac mini’s historical value proposition. Review roundups from outlets including The Verge and Ars Technica describe the machines as “marvels” on performance but “costly” compared with earlier minis. Several reviewers and commentators warn the higher starting RAM and storage choices make modest upgrades less cost-effective for buyers who valued the prior generation’s bang for the buck. The immediate practical consequence is that the Mac mini remains Apple's most compact desktop but may no longer be the default budget pick for buyers who prioritized value over peak performance.
