TL;DR by CuriousCats.ai
- Apple unexpectedly opened preorders for its new Mac mini on August 25, introducing the M6, its first chip built on a 2nm process, while also offering a higher-end version powered by the M5 Pro.
- Apple also offers a higher-end Mac mini powered by the M5 Pro, which costs more.
- The M6 Mac mini tops out at a 12-core CPU, while Apple's M5 Pro Mac mini has either 15 or 18 cores.
- The M6 has a configuration targeting power economy over raw speed, offering two "super" cores, four "performance" cores and six "efficiency" cores.
- The M5 Pro has five super cores and 10 performance cores in its base configuration, rising to six and 10 in its 18-core version.
- If you get the M6 Mac mini, you'll be stuck with a 12-core GPU.
- Choose the M5 Pro and you can get a 16- or 20-core GPU.
- The base M6 Mac mini comes with a 256GB SSD.
- The M5 Pro starts at 512GB and goes up to 8TB.
- As for RAM, the M6 gives you 16GB, 24GB or 32GB, while the M5 Pro starts at 24GB and goes all the way up to 64GB.
CuriousCats Full Story
Apple's new Mac mini features the M6 chip, marking a significant advancement as the first chip built on a 2nm process. Preorders began on August 25, with the M6 offering a maximum of 12 CPU cores and a 12-core GPU.16
In contrast, the M5 Pro version boasts a more powerful configuration, with options for 15 or 18 cores and a 16- or 20-core GPU. The M5 Pro starts at 512GB SSD and can be configured up to 8TB, while the base M6 comes with a 256GB SSD.3789
RAM options also differ significantly: the M6 offers 16GB, 24GB, or 32GB, while the M5 Pro starts at 24GB and can go up to 64GB. This disparity in specifications contributes to the higher price of the M5 Pro, especially as RAM prices soar.10
Key Insight
“The M6 Mac mini offers a power-efficient configuration with two super cores, four performance cores, and six efficiency cores, while the M5 Pro starts at 512GB storage and goes up to 8TB. RAM prices skyrocketing explain the M5 Pro's higher cost.”
CuriousCats studied:
1
digitimes
“Apple unexpectedly opened preorders for its new Mac mini on August 25, introducing the M6, its first chip built on a 2nm process, while also offering a higher-end version powered by the M5 Pro...”
digitimes →2
Engadget
“That cute little Mac that doesn't come with a keyboard or monitor now has an M6 chip inside.”
Engadget →Ask CuriousCats
What is Apple's new M6 Mac mini?
Why did Apple introduce the M5 Pro version?
How does the 2nm chip improve performance?
How do the CPU cores compare between M6 and M5 Pro?
Are other tech companies releasing new workstations?
