Apple May Launch Updated Mac Mini Before End of August as Company Tests M5 and M6 Chips
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25.08.2026 13:51
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2 min read
Apple is preparing to launch a new generation of its compact Mac mini desktop ahead of its traditional September iPhone event. According to Bloomberg analyst Mark Gurman, engineers are testing models with two generations of processors — the Apple M5 and the unannounced Apple M6.
The device could be announced via a press release in the coming days.
Skipping a Chip Generation and Keeping the Compact Case
According to MacRumors, Cupertino is considering an unusual update strategy: the base Mac mini could jump straight from the M4 to the M6 chip, while the higher-end configuration would get the M5 Pro processor.
No design changes are expected: the nettop form factor was already completely redesigned in late 2024, when Apple shrank the device’s footprint to 12.7 × 12.7 cm and moved high-speed ports to the front panel. The update will focus entirely on boosting energy efficiency and performance.
Demand for Local AI and Tim Cook’s Final Launch
As 9to5Mac notes, interest in the Mac mini line among machine learning professionals has surged in recent months. Apple Silicon’s unified memory architecture allows heavy language models to run locally without discrete graphics cards, driving high demand for large-memory configurations.
The computer’s release will mark a historical milestone for the company’s executive team: the device could be the final hardware product introduced during Tim Cook’s tenure as CEO. According to Apple’s official executive transition schedule, starting September 1, 2026, the CEO position will transition to John Ternus, while Cook will become executive chairman of the board.
