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Why is the Mac mini M5 Pro more expensive than the M6?

ThinkingNews Desk · how this was written

Apple introduced a new Mac mini equipped with two chip options: an M6 processor and an M5 Pro variant. The M6 model starts at $899, while the M5 Pro version begins at $1,699, each priced about $100 higher than the prior-generation M4 models, and the devices claim up to four-times faster AI performance and roughly double the graphics speed. Additionally, the Mac Studio featuring an M5 Ultra chip is priced at $5,499 or more, reflecting a $200 increase.

Written from all 6 reports below, not from any single one.

How it was reported

  1. Wired·
    Apple Mac Mini M6 and Mac Studio M5 Ultra: Specs, Price, Release Date

    Apple introduced updated Mac Mini and Mac Studio desktops powered by new M6 and M5 Ultra silicon, respectively, while retaining the same chassis. The M6, built on a 2 nm process, features a 12-core CPU (2 super, 4 performance, 6 efficiency), 12-core GPU and dual 16-core Neural Engine, delivering up to 40% faster performance than the M4 and a $899 starting price. The M5 Ultra uses a quad-die architecture with 36 CPU cores, 80 GPU cores and UltraFusion bandwidth exceeding 4.4 TB/s, enabling multi-system Thunderbolt 5 clustering for trillion-parameter AI models; both models ship September 22 with macOS 27 Golden Gate.

  2. The Verge·
    Apple’s new Mac Mini has fresh M6 and M5 Pro chip offerings — and higher prices

    Apple unveiled two new Mac Mini models: a base version powered by the M6 chip and a higher-end version using the M5 Pro chip that also appears in this year’s MacBook Pro. Both retain the compact 2024 M4/M4 Pro chassis but add faster performance and upgraded Ethernet, with prices set at $899 and $1,699 respectively—each $100 above the prior generation’s starting prices. Pre-orders begin today, and shipments are scheduled for September 22.

  3. TechMeme·
    Apple unveils a Mac mini with M6 and M5 Pro, with up to 4x faster AI performance and up to 2x faster graphics, for $899+ with M6 and $1,699+ with M5 Pro (Apple)

    Apple introduced a new Mac mini powered by the 2 nm M6 chip, featuring a 12-core CPU/GPU and up to 32 GB unified memory, delivering up to four times faster AI performance and up to twice the graphics and storage speed, starting at $899. A higher-end Mac mini with the M5 Pro chip offers similar AI gains, enhanced graphics, and begins at $1,699, all within the same compact chassis.

  4. Hacker News·
    Apple's new Mac mini, featuring M6 and M5 Pro

    The Mac mini is available with an M6 chip (12-core CPU, 12-core GPU, Neural Accelerators) delivering up to 4× faster AI, 2× faster graphics, 2× faster storage, and 40% higher CPU speed, or an M5 Pro chip (up to 18-core CPU, 20-core GPU) for heavy video, game-development, and scientific tasks. Both models feature Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth 6, 2.5 Gb Ethernet (optional 10 Gb), up to 32 GB unified memory with 170 GB/s bandwidth, and run macOS 27 with Apple Intelligence. Pre-orders start today; shipments begin September 22.

  5. TechMeme·
    Apple raises Mac mini and Studio prices: the M6 and M5 Pro Mac mini are $899+ and $1,699+, $100 above M4 models, and the M5 Ultra Mac Studio is $5,499+, up $200 (Nicole Nguyen/Wall Street Journal)

    Apple launched a Mac mini with a 2 nm M6 chip, offering a 12-core CPU, 12-core GPU, up to 32 GB unified memory, and a starting price of $899; the M5 Pro version begins at $1,699, each $100 higher than the prior M4 lineup. The Mac Studio now features an M5 Ultra built on a quad-die 3 nm architecture, delivering up to a 36-core CPU, 80-core GPU, 4.4 TB/s inter-die bandwidth, up to 512 GB memory, and a base price of $5,499, $200 more than its predecessor.

  6. TechCrunch·
    Apple’s latest Mac Mini runs on a new M6 chip, and starts at $899

    Apple’s new Mac Mini uses a 12-core M6 chip, provides 256 GB storage, 16 GB RAM, and starts at $899, delivering AI performance four times faster and storage/graphics twice as fast as the M4. The M5 Pro version offers 512 GB, 24 GB RAM, a 15-core CPU, 16-core GPU (upgradeable to 18-core CPU/20-core GPU) for $1,699, both featuring Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth 6, 2.5 Gb Ethernet, and shipping September 22 with macOS 27 and Siri AI.

  7. Engadget·
    Why is the Mac mini M5 Pro more expensive than the M6?

    The Mac mini with the M5 Pro is priced at $1,699, while the M6 version costs $899. The M5 Pro includes 15- or 18-core CPUs (five or six super cores plus ten performance cores) and 16- or 20-core GPUs, versus the M6’s maximum of 12 CPU and GPU cores. It starts with 24 GB RAM and a 512 GB SSD, expandable to 64 GB RAM and 8 TB storage, whereas the M6 offers 16-32 GB RAM and SSD capacities from 256 GB to 2 TB.

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