Apple has introduced a new lineup of small desktop computers, following the release of the Mac mini M4 by nearly two years. The overall design of the Mac mini remains largely unchanged, with only minor updates to the Ethernet capabilities. Two key differences involve the introduction of the M6 chip in the base model, skipping the M5 chip entirely, while the high-end Mac mini continues to use the previous M5 Pro chip. Prices have increased significantly, with the Mac mini M4 starting at 700 euros in France and rising to 950 euros. The Mac mini M6 begins at 1,050 euros (16 GB of RAM, 256 GB SSD), and the Mac mini M5 Pro now starts at 2,000 euros, featuring 24 GB of RAM and a 512 GB SSD as standard. The Mac Studio has also seen a price increase, moving from 2,500 euros (M4 Max) to 3,000 euros (M5 Max). The Mac mini’s design has remained largely consistent over the years, with the compact M4 format likely to stay in use for some time. The housing used from 2005 to 2009 (with some variations in connectivity and the absence of an optical drive slot in some models), the second version from 2010 to 2023, and the third version from 2024 should last for a while. The Mac mini includes two USB-C ports and one headphone jack at the front, three Thunderbolt ports, an HDMI output, an RJ45 port, and a C8 port for power at the back. The front USB-C ports are limited to 10 Gb/s without video support, the analog output accepts high-impedance headphones, and the three Thunderbolt ports offer 40 Gb/s on the base M6 chip and 80 Gb/s on the Pro version (Thunderbolt 5). It is possible to connect three monitors in all cases. The HDMI output is limited to a 4K monitor at 60 Hz in the base model. Apple has upgraded the standard Ethernet speed to 2.5 Gb/s (up from 1 Gb/s) and still offers 10 Gb/s as an option. Some features that were problematic on the M4 or were at least criticized remain unchanged, such as the power button being located under the case, which is poorly positioned and impractical when needed. The placement of the headphone jack is a compromise—convenient for a wired headset but less so for speakers. The absence of SD card readers and USB-A ports remains an issue, though the latter is becoming less significant in 2026. Older USB-A accessories are still common, and if you have a wireless keyboard with a dongle, you may need an adapter (or Bluetooth if possible). The same applies to wired keyboards or mice: USB-C models are still relatively rare. The Mac mini and Mac Studio 2026 use USB-C genlock to synchronize cameras or the iPhone 17 Pro. The new M6 chip is the standout feature of the Mac mini, based on the same architecture as the A20 Pro and offering notable improvements over the M4 and M5 chips (which Apple did not include in the Mac mini). This upgrade highlights Apple’s continued focus on performance and efficiency in its desktop lineup.