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Apple has unveiled updated versions of the Mac mini and Mac Studio, introducing new Apple silicon designed to deliver higher performance and support increasingly demanding local AI workloads. The refreshed lineup includes the M6-powered Mac mini and a new M5 Ultra option for the Mac Studio.
Pre-orders opened on August 25, with most configurations scheduled to begin shipping on September 22, 2026.
Mac Studio Gets the M5 Ultra
The biggest upgrade in Apple’s desktop lineup is the new Mac Studio, which is now available with M5 Max and M5 Ultra chips.
The M5 Ultra uses a quad-die architecture that combines two dual-die M5 Max chips through Apple’s UltraFusion technology. Apple says this design provides up to 4.4TB/s of inter-die bandwidth.
The M5 Ultra configuration can provide up to a 36-core CPU and 80-core GPU, while supporting as much as 512GB of unified memory and memory bandwidth of up to 1.2TB/s.
The Mac Studio with M5 Max starts at $2,499, while the M5 Ultra model starts at $5,499. The 512GB unified-memory configuration is scheduled to become available later in October.
Mac mini Introduces the M6
Alongside the Mac Studio update, Apple introduced the M6 in the Mac mini. The M6 is Apple’s first 2-nanometer processor for the Mac and represents a move from the M4 generation to a newer architecture without an M5 version for the base Mac mini.
The M6 features a 12-core CPU, a 12-core GPU with Neural Accelerators and a 16-core Dual Neural Engine. Apple claims the chip delivers up to four times faster AI performance and twice the graphics performance compared with the M4 Mac mini.
The M6 Mac mini starts at $899, while an M5 Pro configuration starts at $1,699.
Mac Studio Targets Local AI
Apple is increasingly positioning the Mac Studio as a machine for local AI workloads. Its large unified-memory configurations can be particularly useful for developers and professionals working with computationally demanding AI applications.
Apple is also promoting the desktop for agentic computing and other workloads that can benefit from running processing locally rather than relying entirely on cloud infrastructure.
However, Apple’s performance claims are based on its own testing. Actual AI performance can vary depending on the model, software, workload and hardware configuration.
Mac Studio Specifications at a Glance
| Feature | Mac Studio M5 Max | Mac Studio M5 Ultra |
| Starting price | $2,499 | $5,499 |
| CPU | M5 Max | Up to 36-core |
| GPU | M5 Max | Up to 80-core |
| Unified memory | Configurable | Up to 512GB |
| Memory bandwidth | Varies by configuration | Up to 1.2TB/s |
| Primary focus | Professional workloads | High-end AI and professional workloads |
Why Local AI Matters
The Mac Studio update arrives as developers increasingly explore running AI models directly on computers rather than sending every workload to remote servers.
Apple’s unified memory architecture allows the CPU and GPU to access a shared memory pool, which can be useful for workloads involving larger models. The Mac Studio’s higher memory configurations therefore give developers more room to experiment with local AI applications.
That does not mean every AI model will run efficiently on the machine. Software optimisation, model architecture and memory requirements remain important factors.
Pricing and Availability
The refreshed Mac Studio is available to pre-order alongside the new Mac mini. Most configurations are scheduled to begin shipping on September 22.
The key prices are:
- Mac Studio with M5 Max: $2,499
- Mac Studio with M5 Ultra: $5,499
- Mac mini with M6: $899
- Mac mini with M5 Pro: $1,699
The highest 512GB memory configuration for the Mac Studio is expected later in October.
Apple’s Leadership Transition
The launch comes shortly before Apple’s planned leadership transition. John Ternus is scheduled to become Apple CEO on September 1, 2026, replacing Tim Cook, who will become executive chairman.
This makes the latest Mac announcements among the final major product launches under Cook’s tenure as CEO.
What the Mac Studio Upgrade Means
The new Mac Studio strengthens Apple’s position in high-performance desktop computing while putting greater emphasis on local AI.
The M5 Ultra’s combination of processing power and high memory capacity is aimed at users handling demanding professional workloads. Meanwhile, the M6 Mac mini offers a less expensive entry point for users interested in Apple’s newer silicon and local AI capabilities.
Apple’s own benchmarks indicate substantial performance improvements, but independent testing will ultimately provide a broader picture of how the new hardware performs across different applications.
Conclusion
Apple’s refreshed Mac Studio brings the new M5 Ultra to its most powerful desktop lineup while retaining the M5 Max option. With up to 80 GPU cores and 512GB of unified memory, the highest-end configuration is clearly aimed at professionals working with demanding workloads.
The launch also highlights Apple’s growing focus on local AI. Combined with the M6 Mac mini, the new desktops give developers and professionals more options for running increasingly sophisticated workloads directly on their Macs.