1 week ago
Apple Refreshes Mac mini and Mac Studio for Local AI
Apple has made faster versions of its Mac mini and Mac Studio computers.
The Mac mini can use an M6 or M5 Pro chip.
The Mac Studio can use an M5 Max or M5 Ultra chip.
These chips are designed to help computers handle artificial-intelligence tasks.
The Mac mini starts at $899, while the Mac Studio starts at $2,499.
The most powerful Mac Studio can have up to 36 CPU cores, 80 GPU cores and 512 gigabytes of memory.
People can preorder the computers on Tuesday, and they are expected to ship or reach stores on September 22.
Apple wants developers and researchers to build and run AI programs directly on these computers rather than depending completely on cloud services.
Apple introduced Mac mini models with M6 or M5 Pro chips and Mac Studio models with M5 Max or M5 Ultra chips.
The Mac mini starts at $899, or ₹99,900, while Mac Studio starts at $2,499 or ₹2,79,900 with M5 Max.
The new computers are available for preorder Tuesday and are scheduled to ship or reach stores on September 22.
Apple says the M6 Mac mini delivers four-times-faster AI performance than the previous M4 model, while the M5 Pro version processes large-language-model prompts 8.5 times faster than older Pro models.
Apple is targeting developers, researchers and professionals who want to run or fine-tune AI models locally instead of relying entirely on cloud computing.
- Who
- Apple announced upgraded Mac mini and Mac Studio computers for developers, researchers, professionals and other users with demanding workloads.
- What
- Apple introduced desktop computers with M6, M5 Pro, M5 Max and M5 Ultra processor options, emphasizing AI performance and local model processing.
- Where
- The products are part of Apple’s desktop-computer lineup; the articles do not specify an announcement location.
- When
- The announcement was made Tuesday; preorders begin Tuesday, and shipping or store availability is scheduled for September 22.
- Why
- Apple is positioning the computers as platforms for developing, running and fine-tuning AI models locally.
Apple’s Performance and AI Pitch
Cost, Supply and Transition Concerns
Local AI capability
Apple’s Performance and AI Pitch
Apple says the new chips let developers run and fine-tune large AI models locally, with the M5 Ultra allowing multiple Mac Studio systems to pool memory for very large models.
Cost, Supply and Transition Concerns
The articles note that local AI demand is contributing to shortages of computing hardware and has increased pressure on memory supplies.
Pricing
Apple’s Performance and AI Pitch
Apple presents the upgraded computers as more capable platforms for developers, researchers and professional users.
Cost, Supply and Transition Concerns
The Mac mini’s starting price rose to $899 after Apple removed its earlier $599 base configuration; the M5 Ultra Mac Studio starts at $5,499, up from $5,299 for the previous Ultra model.
Product and leadership timing
Apple’s Performance and AI Pitch
The launch expands Apple’s desktop lineup ahead of expected demand for AI-capable machines.
Cost, Supply and Transition Concerns
The articles describe the announcement as likely one of Tim Cook’s final major product launches before he hands the CEO role to John Ternus, while also noting continuing supply shortages and expected new iPhone announcements.
Key facts
- Mac mini chips
- M6 and M5 Pro
- Mac mini starting price
- $899, or ₹99,900
- Mac mini M6 specifications
- 12-core CPU, 12-core GPU and 16GB of memory, configurable up to 32GB
- Mac Studio chips
- M5 Max and M5 Ultra
- Mac Studio starting prices
- $2,499 with M5 Max and $5,499 with M5 Ultra
- Mac Studio maximum configuration
- Up to a 36-core CPU, 80-core GPU and 512GB of unified memory
- Availability
- Preorders begin Tuesday; shipping or store availability is scheduled for September 22
- Connectivity upgrade
- The new Mac Studio adds Wi-Fi 7 and Bluetooth 6, which the articles say were absent from the prior model.
Quotes
Johny Srouji
Apple’s hardware chief
“Whether it's being used as a home computer, powering a professional studio, or as an always-on agentic device, it's the little Mac that can do it all.”
republicworld.com
“With these frameworks and new chips, developers can run and fine-tune large AI models locally on their Mac.”
livemint.com
Sources
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