2026 Mac mini: In abstract
- The present M4 and M4 Professional Mac mini had been launched in November 2024.
- A report states that Apple is planning an M5 replace in 2026.
- No design modifications are anticipated.
With its November 2024 launch, Apple drastically modified the Mac mini, decreasing its general dimension. The smallest Mac you can purchase truly received even smaller. It additionally options new M4 and M4 Professional chips, making the Mac mini a mighty machine.
In October 2025, Apple launched the bottom M5 chip within the MacBook Professional, but it surely hasn’t launched the M5 Professional chip but. However now that the M5 chip is right here, prospects may very well be questioning if it’s going to make its means into the Mac mini quickly. This text retains observe of the stories on the upcoming Mac mini. For info on what the improve will embrace and when it may very well be launched, seek advice from this web page.
2026 Mac mini: Launch date
- Potential launch within the first half of 2026
The Mac mini has had an erratic launch historical past. Apple went by way of durations of updating the Mac mini yearly after which determined to attend so long as 4 years. Switching from Intel to Apple Silicon didn’t create any consistency; the M1 Mac mini was round for 3 years earlier than it received its M2 improve. The Mac mini skipped the M3 and received an M4 improve (and a redesign) in November 2024.
Since laptops dominate Apple’s Mac gross sales, desktop Macs just like the Mac mini received’t see constant annual upgrades. And with latest stories of Apple performing some redesigns for its higher-end chips, it’s potential that we may see the Mac mini with the Professional chip see longer improve cycles sooner or later.
The M5 is out, nonetheless, and Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman reported that the M5 and M5 Professional Mac mini are on Apple’s product schedule for 2026. When in 2026 stays a query, although with the M6 anticipated within the second half of 2026, count on the M5 and M5 Professional Mac mini to be launched in early spring or, on the newest, at WWDC26 in June 2026.
2026 Mac mini: Processor
- Anticipated to have M5 and M5 Professional
Apple has but to ascertain a constant improve cycle with the Apple Silicon Mac mini. Apple launched M1 and M2 variations however skipped the M3 and went with the M4. So, Apple isn’t afraid to skip a chip cycle with the Mac mini.
However it appears to be like like Apple isn’t going to skip the M5. Mark Gurman reported that Apple has the Mac mini on the 2026 launch schedule with M5 and M5 Professional chips.
The brand new M5 chip could make its means into the Mac mini.
Apple
2026 Mac mini: Specs
- 16GB RAM (M5); 24GB RAM (M5 Professional)
- Thunderbolt 4 (M5); Thunderbolt 5 (M5 Professional)
- Wi-Fi 6E (802.11ax) and Bluetooth 5.3
With the M4 Mac mini, Apple elevated the bottom RAM from 8GB (base M chip mannequin) and 16GB (Professional M chip mannequin) to 16GB and 24GB, respectively. That’s the usual configuration going ahead, with consumer choices so as to add extra reminiscence on the time of buy.
The M4 Mac mini has Thunderbolt 4, whereas the M4 Professional Mac mini has Thunderbolt 5. The not too long ago launched M5 chip has Thunderbolt 4, in order that’s what might be within the M5 Mac mini. Whereas specs on the M5 Professional haven’t been reported, it would have Thunderbolt 5.
The present Mac mini has Wi-Fi 6E (802.11ax) and Bluetooth 5.3. This didn’t change with the M5 MacBook Professional, so it appears to be like like Apple is not going to improve to Wi-Fi 7 and Bluetooth 6 with the M5 Mac mini. This additionally implies that Apple may not use its N1 wi-fi networking chip, which made its debut with the iPhone 17.
No stories have been made about modifications to the interior workings of the Mac mini.
New Mac mini: Design
- Mac mini redesign was launched in 2024
Apple did a serious redesign of the Mac mini in 2024, making it a lot smaller. This design might be in place for a number of years to return. It may’t actually make it any smaller and nonetheless have it present the options customers want.
No stories have been made on whether or not Apple will provide new colours.
Count on the ports to stay the identical on the brand new Mac mini.
Foundry
The port choices are additionally anticipated to stay the identical. The M4 Mac mini has:
- 2 entrance USB-C ports (supporting USB 3 at 10Gbps)
- Entrance 3.5mm audio jack
- 3 rear Thunderbolt ports
- HDMI port
- gigabit ethernet port (10Gb ethernet choice accessible)
New Mac mini: Value
Listed below are the costs for the present customary base configurations of the 2024 Mac mini for reference:
- $599/£599/CA$799/AU$999 M4, 16GB Unified Reminiscence, 256GB SSD
- $799/£799/CA$1,099/AU$1,299 M4, 16GB Unified Reminiscence, 512GB SSD
- $999/£999/CA$1,399/AU$1,599 M4, 24GB Unified Reminiscence, 512GB SSD
- $1,399/£1,399/CA$1,999/AU$2,199 M4 Professional, 24GB Unified Reminiscence, 512GB SSD
Pricing for the brand new Mac mini has not been reported, although pricing may go up due to the U.S. tariffs scenario–the elements are made abroad. The costs could also be tailored to newer alternate charges elsewhere.
