Apple launches new Mac mini: M6 and M5 Pro chips, local AI power, and pricing in UAE

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.

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. The 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. — Tim Cook @tim cook pic.twitter.com/GopxcHM5od August 25, 2026 New Apple Mac Mini UAE pricing and availability Before 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. Key upgrades: M6 & M5 Pro silicon with Neural Acceleration The 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. For 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. Apple unveils the brand new M6 Mac mini — Noah Cat @Cartidise Powered by M6, Apple’s first 2nm chip New 12-core CPU complex 2 more cores than M5 : 2 super cores, 4 performance cores, 6 efficiency cores New 12-core GPU 2 more cores than M5 , with a Neural Accelerator in each core Nearly 30%… pic.twitter.com/n0Q1FZeCEs August 25, 2026 Offering 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. New Apple Mac mini: Complete spec sheet Processor 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 - AI Architecture: GPU-embedded Neural Accelerators + Dual 16-core NPU - Unified Memory: 16GB, 24GB, or 32GB M6 ; 24GB, 48GB, or 64GB M5 Pro - Storage Configurations: 256GB, 512GB, 1TB, or 2TB M6 ; 512GB, 1TB, 2TB, 4TB, or 8TB M5 Pro - Front Ports: 2× USB-C ports up to 10Gb/s , 3.5mm high-impedance audio jack - Rear Ports M6 : 3× Thunderbolt 4 / USB4 ports, 1× HDMI port, Gigabit Ethernet configurable to 10Gb - Rear Ports M5 Pro : 3× Thunderbolt 5 ports up to 120Gb/s , 1× HDMI port up to 8K @ 60Hz / 4K @ 240Hz , Gigabit/10Gb Ethernet - 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 - Wireless Standards: Wi-Fi 6E/7 and Bluetooth 5.3/5.4 The 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. Feature image credits to Apple. Read 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