Short answer: On 25 August 2026 Apple announced a new Mac mini with the M6 chip — its first 2 nm processor — with an M5 Pro option, starting at $899. Alongside it came the Mac Studio with the M5 Max (from $2,499) and M5 Ultra (from $5,499) chips. Shipping begins 22 September 2026.
This is Apple's most significant desktop announcement this year, and it came without a dedicated event — a direct announcement on 25 August, with shipping less than a month later.
The Mac mini with M6
The headline is not performance but the manufacturing process: the M6 is Apple's first 2 nm processor. It was described as delivering the world's fastest single-threaded performance, alongside enhanced AI processing.
An M5 Pro option is also available in the same machine. The announced price starts at $899.
The Mac Studio with M5 Max and M5 Ultra
| Spec | M5 Max | M5 Ultra |
|---|---|---|
| CPU cores | 18-core | 36-core |
| GPU cores | Up to 40-core | 80-core |
| Neural Engine | 16-core | — |
| Unified memory | Up to 128 GB | 256 or 512 GB |
| Memory bandwidth | Up to 614 GB/s | 1.2 TB/s |
| Announced price | From $2,499 | From $5,499 |
Memory bandwidth on the M5 Ultra reaches 1.2 terabytes per second, up from 819 GB/s on the M3 Ultra — the most consequential jump for work that moves large volumes of data, such as video editing and large models.
Upgrades shared by both machines
- PCIe 6 storage — a newer generation of the storage interface
- Wi-Fi 7
- Bluetooth 6
- Improved memory bandwidth across the line
A note on prices: the figures above are announced launch prices in US dollars. UAE prices differ by tax and distribution channel and had not been officially announced at the time of writing. We quote no dirham prices because we do not have a documented figure.
Who each machine suits
| Use | Likely machine |
|---|---|
| Home office · browsing and office work · a small server | Mac mini with M6 |
| Professional-level video editing and design | Mac Studio with M5 Max |
| Work needing enormous memory and high bandwidth | Mac Studio with M5 Ultra |
Do we sell them at HamadG?
These machines are not in our store at present. We published this article because it is the season's most significant desktop announcement and matters to customers who ask us about Apple hardware. If you are interested in availability, get in touch and we will let you know when they arrive.
For now, the Apple devices we do stock are in the mobiles and tablets category.
Frequently asked questions
When do the new Mac mini and Mac Studio ship?
22 September 2026, following the announcement on 25 August 2026.
What is new in the M6 chip?
It is Apple's first processor built on a 2 nm process, described as delivering the world's fastest single-threaded performance with enhanced AI processing.
What is the difference between M5 Max and M5 Ultra?
The M5 Max has an 18-core CPU, up to a 40-core GPU, up to 128 GB of memory and up to 614 GB/s of bandwidth. The M5 Ultra has a 36-core CPU, an 80-core GPU, 256 or 512 GB of memory and 1.2 TB/s of bandwidth.
How much is the new Mac mini?
The announced launch price starts at $899. UAE pricing had not been officially announced at the time of writing.
Are these available at HamadG?
Not in the store at present. Get in touch if you would like to know when they become available.
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Sources: Announcement details, specifications and prices from coverage by Forbes, MacRumors, Macworld and ThePCEnthusiast · prices are in US dollars as announced; we have not converted them to dirhams because no official UAE price was available at publication.