Apple has introduced refreshed versions of its Mac Mini and Mac Studio desktops, equipped with new chips and enhanced features aimed at improving artificial intelligence (AI) capabilities. This launch highlights the increasing importance Apple places on its desktop computers not only as critical tools for AI development but also as platforms showcasing the power of its advanced processors. The updates come just weeks ahead of Apple’s anticipated new iPhone announcement, reinforcing the strategic role of Macs among developers and researchers working on AI.

The new Mac Mini models come with options for the latest M6 and M5 Pro chips. Notably, the M6 chip marks Apple’s first use of its 2-nanometer manufacturing process, a significant technological advance made in partnership with Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co. The Mac Mini’s starting price has risen to $899 from $799 in the previous generation, reflecting inflationary pressures and the use of more sophisticated hardware. Apple claims that the device with the M5 Pro chip offers an 8.5-fold increase in speed when processing large language models compared to earlier Mac Mini Pro versions.

For power users and AI researchers, the Mac Studio remains Apple’s most capable screenless desktop. Select models now feature the M5 Max chip, which accelerates large language model performance by almost four times over the previous generation. More advanced configurations include the M5 Ultra chip, which Apple touts as its highest-performing processor currently available. Additionally, Apple enables users to link multiple Mac Studios with Ultra chips to pool their resources, enabling them to tackle frontier AI models with trillion-parameter sizes. Pricing for the Mac Studio starts at $2,499 for the M5 Max version and $5,499 for the M5 Ultra model, representing a modest increase from prior Ultra configurations.

These new desktops go on presale immediately, with shipments scheduled to begin on September 22. Apple emphasizes that its Macs incorporate specialized neural engines and unique RAM architectures that reduce memory bottlenecks, enabling developers to run and fine-tune large AI models locally rather than relying primarily on cloud services. This rollout serves as a key milestone in Apple’s broader push to anchor itself firmly in the evolving AI landscape while continuing its commitment to high-performance computer hardware.