{"slug": "apple-launches-new-mac-mini-m6-and-m5-pro-chips-local-ai-power-and-pricing-in", "title": "Apple launches new Mac mini: M6 and M5 Pro chips, local AI power, and pricing in UAE", "summary": "Apple launched the refreshed Mac mini with its first-ever 2nm M6 chip and M5 Pro processors, starting at AED 3,799 in the UAE, with pre-bookings open and deliveries from September 22. The new desktop features up to 64GB RAM, 8TB SSD, and GPU-embedded Neural Accelerators for faster on-device AI inference, marking one of Tim Cook's final product launches before his September 1 leadership transition.", "body_md": "Apple has officially launched its refreshed Mac mini desktop alongside an updated [Mac Studio](/desktops/16343/apple-launches-mac-studio-with-powerful-new-m1-ultra-chip-at-2022-event) lineup. Engineered to meet surging consumer and developer demand for running [local AI agents](/tech/75268/xiaomi-reveals-ai-cube-prototype-multi-chip-local-llm-powerhouse-takes-aim-at-apples-macs) and [large language models](/tech/67275/meta-patented-llm-that-would-post-for-users-after-they-die) (LLMs) on-device, the new desktop jumps straight to Apple’s [first-ever 2nm](/tech/75092/inside-the-a20-pro-chip-leaked-benchmarks-reveal-18-performance-leap-on-iphone-18-pro) M6 chip and pro-tier M5 Pro processors. The launch marks one of the final consumer hardware introductions from the revolutionary CEO Tim Cook, ahead of Apple's [leadership transition](/tech/74426/tim-cook-praises-john-ternus-again-in-apples-q3-2026-earnings-call) on September 1. The updated machine brings enhanced ray-tracing graphics, high-speed unified memory, and expanded rear connectivity to Apple's smallest desktop chassis.\n\nThe new Mac mini is here. Small in size. Big on performance. From everyday productivity to all things AI, it can help you do it all.\n\n— Tim Cook (@tim_cook)[pic.twitter.com/GopxcHM5od][August 25, 2026]\n\n**New Apple Mac Mini UAE pricing and availability**\n\nBefore we jump straight to what’s new, first let's take a look at what the [updated pricing](/mobile/75270/apple-is-reportedly-preparing-iphone-price-hikes-because-of-course-they-are) looks like. The new M6 Mac mini starts from AED 3799 for the 16GB RAM and 256GB of storage, 2.5 Gigabit Ethernet, and can go up to 64GB of RAM and an 8TB SSD with a 10 Gigabit Ethernet port and M5 Pro SoC, which is priced at a whopping AED 29,349. The pre-bookings have already started,d and deliveries will start from September 22 in the UAE.\n\n**Key upgrades: M6 & M5 Pro silicon with Neural Acceleration**\n\nThe entry-level [Mac mini](/tech/75320/tim-cooks-final-product-reveal-new-mac-mini-tipped-for-august-launch-ahead-of-ceo-handover) features Apple's brand-new M6 processor, built on an advanced 2nm node. It incorporates a 12-core CPU, a 12-core GPU, and a Dual 16-core Neural Engine designed specifically to accelerate local [AI models](/tech/72104/microsoft-launches-new-mai-family-of-ai-models-for-reasoning-voice-coding-and-images), delivering up to four times faster neural processing speeds and double the graphics throughput compared to earlier generations.\n\nFor the first time in the Mac mini family, dedicated Neural Accelerators are embedded directly into the GPU pipeline to assist on-device inference. For creative and enterprise professionals, the higher-end configuration is powered by the M5 Pro chip.\n\nApple unveils the brand new M6 Mac mini\n\n— Noah Cat (@Cartidise)\n\n> Powered by M6, Apple’s first 2nm chip\n\n> New 12-core CPU complex (2 more cores than M5): 2 super cores, 4 performance cores, 6 efficiency cores\n\n> New 12-core GPU (2 more cores than M5), with a Neural Accelerator in each core\n\n> Nearly 30%…[pic.twitter.com/n0Q1FZeCEs][August 25, 2026]\n\nOffering up to an 18-core CPU and a 20-core GPU, the [M5 Pro](/laptops/62705/review-with-the-new-macbook-pro-m5-apple-is-just-showing-off) variant scales up memory configurations to a massive 64GB of high-bandwidth unified RAM. The Pro model also features high-speed Thunderbolt 5 ports capable of delivering data transfer rates up to 120Gb/s and driving multiple 6K and 8K external displays.\n\n**New Apple Mac mini: Complete spec sheet**\n\nProcessor Options: Apple M6 (12-core CPU, 12-core GPU, Dual 16-core Neural Engine) or Apple M5 Pro (Up to 18-core CPU, 20-core GPU)\n\n- AI Architecture: GPU-embedded Neural Accelerators + Dual 16-core NPU\n- Unified Memory: 16GB, 24GB, or 32GB (M6); 24GB, 48GB, or 64GB (M5 Pro)\n- Storage Configurations: 256GB, 512GB, 1TB, or 2TB (M6); 512GB, 1TB, 2TB, 4TB, or 8TB (M5 Pro)\n- Front Ports: 2× USB-C ports (up to 10Gb/s), 3.5mm high-impedance audio jack\n- Rear Ports (M6): 3× Thunderbolt 4 / USB4 ports, 1× HDMI port, Gigabit Ethernet (configurable to 10Gb)\n- Rear Ports (M5 Pro): 3× Thunderbolt 5 ports (up to 120Gb/s), 1× HDMI port (up to 8K @ 60Hz / 4K @ 240Hz), Gigabit/10Gb Ethernet\n- Chassis Dimensions & Weight: 5.0 × 5.0 × 2.0 inches (12.7 × 12.7 × 5.0 cm); 0.67 kg (M6) / 0.73 kg (M5 Pro)\n- Wireless Standards: Wi-Fi 6E/7 and Bluetooth 5.3/5.4\n\nThe new Mac mini represents Apple's smartest strategic leap in desktop computing. By aggressively baking GPU Neural Accelerators and 2.5Gb networking into a compact-sized aluminum enclosure, Apple isn't just selling a budget Mac; it has engineered the definitive localized open-weight AI workstation for developers. For anyone looking to run private LLMs or intensive video workflows without financing a high-end server rack, the M5 Pro configuration is an unbeatable powerhouse.\n\n*(Feature image credits to Apple.)*\n\nRead More: [Say goodbye to doomscrolling and Stories? Some of Meta’s biggest features are on trial.](/tech-industry/75335/say-goodbye-to-doomscrolling-and-stories-some-of-metas-biggest-features-are-on-trial)", "url": "https://wpnews.pro/news/apple-launches-new-mac-mini-m6-and-m5-pro-chips-local-ai-power-and-pricing-in", "canonical_source": "https://me.mashable.com/tech/75349/apple-launches-new-mac-mini-m6-and-m5-pro-chips-local-ai-power-and-pricing-in-uae", "published_at": "2026-08-26 07:59:21+00:00", "updated_at": "2026-08-26 08:14:30.177777+00:00", "lang": "en", "topics": ["artificial-intelligence", "ai-chips", "ai-products"], "entities": ["Apple", "Tim Cook", "Mac mini", "M6", "M5 Pro"], "alternates": {"html": "https://wpnews.pro/news/apple-launches-new-mac-mini-m6-and-m5-pro-chips-local-ai-power-and-pricing-in", "markdown": "https://wpnews.pro/news/apple-launches-new-mac-mini-m6-and-m5-pro-chips-local-ai-power-and-pricing-in.md", "text": "https://wpnews.pro/news/apple-launches-new-mac-mini-m6-and-m5-pro-chips-local-ai-power-and-pricing-in.txt", "jsonld": "https://wpnews.pro/news/apple-launches-new-mac-mini-m6-and-m5-pro-chips-local-ai-power-and-pricing-in.jsonld"}}