The M6 Mac mini is here with faster AI performance, better graphics and more power in Apple’s familiar compact desktop.

CUPERTINO: Apple has launched its new M6 Mac mini, giving its smallest desktop computer a big performance upgrade. The company has also introduced a more powerful M5 Pro version for people who need extra computing power for professional work.

Apple announced the new models on August 25, 2026. The biggest change is the new M6 chip, which Apple says can deliver up to four times faster AI performance than the previous M4 model. Graphics performance is also claimed to be twice as fast, while CPU performance can be up to 40 per cent faster.

For everyday users, that should mean a quicker and smoother experience when using demanding apps, editing photos and videos or working with newer AI tools.

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The M6 Mac mini comes with a 12-core CPU and 12-core GPU. It also has Apple’s upgraded Neural Engine, which is designed to handle artificial intelligence tasks directly on the computer.

The standard model starts with 16GB of unified memory and can be upgraded to 32GB. Apple says memory bandwidth reaches 170GB per second.

That extra power could be useful for developers and creators who want to run AI tools locally instead of sending every task to an online cloud service. It also makes the small desktop more useful for video editing, coding and other demanding work.

For users who need even more power, Apple is offering an M5 Pro model. It is aimed more at professionals working with heavier tasks such as video production, software development and gaming projects.

Despite the upgrades inside, Apple has kept the compact design that made the previous generation stand out. The small size means users can easily fit the computer into home offices and smaller workspaces.

Apple says pre-orders began on August 25, with deliveries and availability in stores starting September 22. In the UAE, the M6 Mac mini starts at AED 3,799, while the M5 Pro version starts at AED 7,299.

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Apple is also highlighting the environmental side of the new computer. The company says 50 per cent of the materials used in the product are recycled, including 100 per cent recycled aluminium in the enclosure.

Impact to expect

The new M6 Mac mini could appeal to people who want a small computer with enough power for modern AI tools, creative work and everyday tasks. It also shows how Apple is making on-device AI a bigger part of its Mac line-up.