Apple Mac mini (M6, 2026)
By Apple · Desktop Computers · Phones & Computers
- Apple M6 chip: 12-core CPU (2 super, 4 performance, 6 efficiency cores), 12-core GPU
- 16GB unified memory, 153GB/s memory bandwidth
- 256GB SSD storage
- 5.0 x 5.0 x 2.0 in (12.7 x 12.7 x 5.0 cm), 1.5 lb (0.67 kg)
Lowest price seen
$699.99
from $699.99 at Micro Center · Checked Oct 7, 2026
- Micro Center $699.99View at Micro Center
- Costco $779.99View at Costco
- eBay $889.00View at eBay
- AppleView at Apple
- CDWView at CDW
- WalmartView at Walmart
- B&H PhotoView at B&H Photo
- eBay (used) eBay: used, open-box, refurbishedView at eBay (used)
- AmazonView at Amazon
Prices are snapshots. Check the current price with the store.
Summary
A compact Apple silicon desktop with a 12-core M6 chip, 16GB of memory and 256GB of storage in the same 5 × 5 × 2 inch case as the 2024 model. Check the storage and the price before you buy: the base configuration is fixed at 256GB and the M6 mini costs $300 more than the M4 it replaces.
Strengths
- Strong CPU and GPU performance for its class, beating comparable AMD and Intel mini PCs in PCMag’s tests.
- Cool and quiet under load; PCMag measured only slight warmth and near-silent single-core runs.
- The compact 5 × 5 × 2 inch chassis is unchanged and still a standard-setter among mini desktops.
- Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth 6 and 2.5Gb Ethernet are new for this generation.
- Ports are generous for the size: two front USB-C, a headphone jack and three rear Thunderbolt 4.
- PCMag named it Editors’ Choice among mini desktops.
Weaknesses
- The $899 base configuration costs $300 more than the 2024 M4 base model, the most criticized change.
- 256GB of base storage is low for the price; reviewers recommend upgrading before checkout.
- Memory and storage are soldered and cannot be upgraded after purchase.
- The power button sits on the bottom-rear, which is awkward with a Touch ID keyboard.
- It uses Thunderbolt 4, not Thunderbolt 5, and lacks the M5 Pro’s compute clustering.
- Apple’s performance claims are its own testing, not independent.
Verified specifications
| Model | Apple Mac mini (M6, 2026). |
|---|---|
| Chip | Apple M6 with a 12-core CPU (2 super cores, 4 performance cores, 6 efficiency cores), 12-core GPU and a 32-core Neural Engine. |
| Process | Apple’s first 2nm chip. |
| Memory | 16GB unified memory standard, configurable to 24GB or 32GB. |
| Memory bandwidth | 153GB/s with 16GB; 170GB/s with 24GB or 32GB. |
| Storage | 256GB SSD standard, configurable to 512GB, 1TB or 2TB. |
| Display support | up to three external displays, or one 8K@60Hz plus a second 5K@60Hz; VRR and HDR. |
| Front ports | two USB-C (USB 3, up to 10Gb/s) and a 3.5mm headphone jack. |
| Back ports | three Thunderbolt 4 (USB-C) up to 40Gb/s, HDMI and 2.5Gb Ethernet (configurable to 10Gb). |
| Wireless | Apple N1 chip with Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth 6 and Thread. |
| Media engine | hardware H.264, HEVC, ProRes and ProRes RAW; AV1 decode. |
| Operating system | macOS 27 “Golden Gate” preloaded. |
| Power | 100–240V AC, 155W maximum continuous power. |
| Acoustics | 5 dBA sound pressure at idle. |
| Dimensions | 12.7 × 12.7 × 5.0 cm (5.0 × 5.0 × 2.0 in); 0.67 kg (1.5 lb). |
| In the box | Mac mini and a 1.8m power lead only — no keyboard, mouse or monitor. |
Full research notes and sources
Performance
PCMag’s instrumented review names the M6 mini Editors’ Choice among mini desktops and says it dominated comparable AMD and Intel mini PCs in Cinebench 2024, Geekbench 6.3 Pro, HandBrake 1.8 and PugetBench for Creators, while the M5 Pro mini stayed ahead in multi-core work. Gaming is improved but secondary: PCMag reached 60fps in Cyberpunk 2077 at 1080p with upscaling and basic ray tracing.
Ars Technica measured single-core gains of 20–30% over the M4 and multi-core gains of 50–80%, and notes the M6 uses newer silicon than the more expensive M5 Pro mini with marginally better single-core speed. Apple rates the M6 at up to 4x faster AI, 2x faster graphics and storage and 40% faster CPU than the M4, but those are Apple’s own tests.
Price and value
The M6 mini launched at $899 for 16GB/256GB (Apple, September 2026), with education pricing at $799. That is $300 more than the 2024 M4 base model’s $599 and $100 over the $799 floor Apple settled on before the launch. Ars Technica calls the M4 mini one of Apple’s best values and the M6 mini not; PCMag argues it still dominates its new price band.
Storage upgrades are steep: 512GB adds $200, 1TB adds $500 and 2TB adds $1,000, and 10Gb Ethernet adds $100 (PCMag). The box holds only the mini and a power lead; a display, keyboard and mouse are extra. Apple’s Magic Keyboard starts at $99, Magic Mouse at $79, Magic Trackpad at $129 and Studio Display at $1,599.
Setup and upkeep
Memory and storage are soldered, so what you buy is what you keep. PCMag says the internals are not user-accessible without specialized tools and there are no turnkey upgrades, so configure for a few years ahead. The M6 mini began shipping September 22, 2026, so there is no long-term reliability data yet.
Which model this is
This page covers the entry-level 2026 Mac mini with the Apple M6 chip, 16GB of memory and 256GB of storage, model MHQK4LL/A. It is not the Mac mini (M5 Pro, 2026), which starts at $1,699 and uses Thunderbolt 5, nor the 2024 M4 minis or the Mac Studio.
The Amazon listing for this configuration is ASIN B0HGGJZ92H.
Sources
Manufacturer:
- Mac mini (M6 or M5 Pro) tech specs (Apple Support)
- The new Mac mini and Mac Studio are available today (Apple Newsroom)
Independent reviews:
- Apple M6 Mac mini review: the price hike spoils a nice upgrade (Ars Technica)
- Apple Mac mini (2026, M6) review (PCMag UK)
- Apple updates Mac mini with M6, M5 Pro processors and a price hike (PCMag)
- Apple’s new Mac mini has fresh M6 and M5 Pro chip offerings (The Verge)
- Mac mini 2024 vs Mac mini 2026 (PCMag UK)
Owner reports:
- No owner threads were retrieved for this launch.