Apple’s new Mac mini continues a familiar upgrade strategy the company has used in the past—retaining the same overall design but updating the internal components. While these updates are not groundbreaking, they usually provide users with a year or two of performance improvements at the same price as the previous model. However, the current global memory shortage, which has been particularly severe in 2026, has disrupted this usual pattern. The new M6 Mac mini starts at $899 for a configuration with 16GB of RAM and 256GB of storage, a $300 increase compared to the same specs in the $599 M4 Mac mini from 2024. The M4 model was widely praised as a high-quality, general-purpose desktop computer and one of Apple’s best value options in a desktop Mac. This review focuses specifically on the M6 Mac mini. An M5 Pro version was not available for testing, and further details on its performance and pricing will be included in a separate review of the Mac Studio. The M4 Mac mini marked the first complete redesign of the Mac mini in nearly 15 years, so it’s not surprising that the new model does not bring any significant design changes. Compared to earlier versions, including those with Intel and M1/M2 chips, the new Mac mini is slightly taller—now 2 inches instead of 1.4—but has a smaller footprint, measuring 5×5 inches (down from 7.7 square inches). The new Mac mini includes active cooling, with a fan vent on the bottom to help maintain high performance by allowing the internal chip to run at sustained high clock speeds. This cooling system is crucial for ensuring the device can handle demanding tasks without overheating. Despite the lack of a major redesign, the M6 Mac mini continues Apple’s tradition of offering a compact, powerful desktop option, though the current pricing reflects the ongoing challenges in the global semiconductor market.