Apple launches faster Mac mini, Mac Studio to tap AI boom

Apple has unveiled its latest Mac mini and Mac Studio, equipped with new M6 and M5 Pro/Max/Ultra chips designed to accelerate artificial intelligence tasks. The Mac mini, starting at $899, and the Mac Studio, beginning at $2,499, are seeing price increases of $100 and $500 respectively, attributed to climbing memory chip prices driven by high demand from AI data centers.

These devices have gained popularity among consumers seeking to run autonomous AI agents locally. The new Mac mini, available with the M6 chip, promises up to four times faster AI performance and double the graphics and storage speeds compared to its predecessor. The higher-end M5 Pro variant targets professionals with an 18-core CPU and 20-core GPU for demanding tasks like visual effects.

The refreshed Mac Studio lineup, featuring M5 Max and M5 Ultra chips, is aimed at developers and professionals needing to run large AI models on-device or combine computing power across multiple systems. This launch marks a significant push into AI capabilities for Apple's desktop offerings. The company's hardware chief, Johny Srouji, highlighted the Mac mini's versatility, calling it "the little Mac that can do it all," suitable for home use, professional studios, or as an "always-on agentic device."

This product release is anticipated to be among the last major announcements before CEO Tim Cook transitions leadership to hardware executive John Ternus. The increased costs also reflect broader industry pressures, as Apple had previously raised prices on some Mac and iPad models in June due to similar market conditions.

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Whether it's being used as a home computer, powering a professional studio, or as an always-on agentic device, it's the little Mac that can do it all.