Apple has announced a significant refresh to its desktop lineup in India, introducing updated Mac Mini and Mac Studio models powered by its latest M-series silicon. The Mac Mini now offers M6 and M5 Pro chip options, while the Mac Studio receives upgrades to the M5 Max and M5 Ultra processors. These new machines promise enhanced performance, higher memory capacities, and improved connectivity.
The Refreshed Mac Mini: M6 and M5 Pro Power
The updated Mac Mini arrives with two powerful chip choices. The base M6 model features a 12-core CPU, a 12-core GPU with Neural Accelerators, and a dual 16-core Neural Engine. It comes standard with 16GB of unified memory, configurable up to 32GB, and boasts a memory bandwidth of up to 170GB/s. Apple claims the M6 variant delivers up to four times faster AI performance, double the graphics and storage speed, and a 40 percent boost in CPU performance compared to its predecessor.
For more demanding tasks, the Mac Mini with the M5 Pro chip offers an even greater punch. This configuration includes an 18-core CPU, up to a 20-core GPU with Neural Accelerators in each core, and support for up to 64GB of unified memory. Its memory bandwidth reaches an impressive 307GB/s.
Connectivity across the Mac Mini line has also seen upgrades, now supporting Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth 6, and 2.5Gb Ethernet, with an optional 10Gb Ethernet port. The front panel includes two USB Type-C ports with USB 3 support and a headphone jack. On the rear, the M6 model features three Thunderbolt 4 ports, while the M5 Pro version steps up to three Thunderbolt 5 ports, alongside an HDMI output.
Mac Studio Upgrades: M5 Max and M5 Ultra
The Mac Studio, designed for professional users with intensive workflows, now comes with the M5 Max and M5 Ultra chips. The M5 Max version is equipped with an 18-core CPU (comprising six super cores and twelve performance cores), an up to 40-core GPU with Neural Accelerators, and up to 614GB/s of unified memory bandwidth.
At the top end, the M5 Ultra model delivers extreme performance with up to a 36-core CPU (twelve super cores and twenty-four performance cores), an up to 80-core GPU with Neural Accelerators, up to 512GB of unified memory, and a staggering 1.2TB/s memory bandwidth.
Storage performance on the Mac Studio has been doubled, thanks to a next-generation SSD architecture built on PCIe Gen 6. Connectivity enhancements include Wi-Fi 7 and Bluetooth 6. According to Apple, the Mac Studio is capable of driving up to eight displays simultaneously, or up to four Studio Display XDR units at full 5K resolution and 120Hz refresh rates.
Both the refreshed Mac Mini and Mac Studio will be available for purchase in India starting September 22, with pre-orders expected to open shortly after the announcement. The Mac Mini starts at Rs 99,900, while the updated Mac Studio begins at Rs 2,79,900. These launches precede Apple's anticipated autumn event, where the iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone Ultra are expected to be unveiled.