Apple has unveiled its latest Mac mini, a compact yet powerful desktop computer that caters to a wide range of tasks beyond daily computing. This new model features the cutting-edge M6 chip and is designed to fit into tight spaces, being smaller than a typical headphone box.
As the most affordable computer in Apple’s lineup equipped with an M-series chip, the Mac mini’s starting price has risen to £899 (€1,049/$899/A$1,449) due to increased RAM costs, up from the £599 price point of its M4 predecessor.
The current design of the Mac mini, first introduced with the M4 model in 2024, remains unchanged. The latest iteration measures a compact 12.7 cm by 12.7 cm and stands 5 cm tall, featuring a sleek aluminum casing with rounded edges. Its small size makes it suitable for use on a desk or even discreetly hidden behind a monitor, transforming any display into a makeshift iMac.
The aesthetic is minimalist, with a small LED indicator on the front to show when the device is powered on. The rear of the Mac mini includes three Thunderbolt 4 (USB4) ports, a 2.5Gb Ethernet port, an HDMI 2.1 port, and a power connector. Notably absent are USB-A ports; however, adapters are readily available for older devices that have not yet transitioned to USB-C, such as flash drives and printers.
Basic speakers are integrated into the device, providing adequate sound for system notifications in macOS.
The Mac mini runs on the new macOS 27 Golden Gate, which features improvements to Apple’s Liquid Glass design from the previous year. A significant upgrade is the enhanced Siri assistant, now referred to as Siri AI, which exhibits improved comprehension and task execution, making it easier to retrieve information both locally and online. The assistant can now read screen content, allowing users to track deliveries from email codes or identify objects from images using a keyboard shortcut.
Additionally, Siri is incorporated into the Spotlight search, which can be convenient but may occasionally lead to web searches instead of launching local applications if a typo occurs, which can be frustrating for users.
Apple’s AI capabilities have also been enhanced, with tools for writing, proofreading, and summarizing available across most applications. One particularly useful feature is the suggestion for file and folder names, facilitating the matching of lengthy naming conventions.
The Mac mini comes with storage options of 256GB, 512GB, 1TB, or 2TB SSD, and is powered by the latest Apple Silicon M6 chip (also available with the M5 Pro variant for enhanced multicore and graphics performance).
In benchmarks, the M6 chip demonstrates superior single-core performance, outperforming its predecessors by approximately 8.5%. Users can expect rapid application launches and efficient task execution. Compared to the earlier M4 model, the M6 Mac mini shows a 25% increase in single-core performance, a 50% improvement in multicore tasks, and a remarkable 75% enhancement in graphics capabilities, marking a substantial advancement over older models.
This machine is also designed for energy efficiency, operating quietly under normal conditions, even when pushed to its performance limits.
Constructed from 50% recycled materials, Apple has detailed the environmental impact of the Mac mini in its sustainability report. The company provides trade-in and recycling options, including for devices not made by Apple.
The starting price for the Mac mini M6 is £899 (€1,049/$899/A$1,449) with 16GB of RAM and 256GB of storage. For comparison, the A18 Pro MacBook Neo starts at £699, the M5 MacBook Air is priced from £1,299, the M4 iMac begins at £1,499, and the Mac Studio starts at £2,499.
Overall, the Mac mini is an excellent general-purpose computer in a compact package, boasting significant power and performance for various tasks. For users requiring enhanced graphics capabilities, the M5 Pro chip is available, albeit at a higher price point.
The connectivity options are robust for a device of this size, providing three Thunderbolt 4 (USB4) ports, although it lacks traditional USB-A ports. Users may utilize a dock or hub to expand connectivity as needed.
The primary drawback is the price increase linked to the rising RAM costs, which makes the Mac mini M6 slightly less appealing compared to its predecessor. Despite this, at £899 (€1,049/$899/A$1,449), it remains a solid investment for a Mac.
Pros: Exceptional M6 chip performance, quiet operation, extensive port options, headphone jack, 2.5GbE, Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth 6, and Thread support.
Cons: Increased pricing, non-upgradable storage or memory, absence of USB-A ports, no SD card slot, and only 256GB storage in the base model, with a challenging power button placement.
