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What to Expect From the Next Mac Mini

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AppleInsider's Marko Zivkovic today said that he has discovered a device identifier for what is "almost certainly" a Mac mini with an M5 chip.

M4 mini Glowing Teal
He already discovered an identifier for a potential Mac mini with an M5 Pro chip last month.

All in all, the next Mac mini will be powered by M5 and M5 Pro chips, if he is right.

Given that the current Mac mini can be configured with M4 and M4 Pro chip options, it might sound incredibly obvious that the next model will apparently have M5 and M5 Pro chip options. However, keep in mind that Apple does not always update the Mac mini on a regular basis. For example, the Mac mini skipped the M3 and M3 Pro chips.

The next Mac mini might not have many other changes, as the desktop computer already received its first redesign since 2010 last year. Released in October 2024, the current Mac mini is significantly smaller than the previous model, and it features two front-facing USB-C ports, Thunderbolt 5 support for configurations with the M4 Pro chip, and more. In the U.S., pricing starts at $599 for a model with 256GB of storage and 16GB of RAM.

When will the Mac mini be updated next? It was initially rumored that the first M5 Macs would launch later this year, but more recent reporting has pointed towards early 2026.

Related Roundup: Mac mini
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Top Rated Comments

azentropy Avatar
azentropy
8 months ago
512GB standard storage would be nice. Overall the mini is such a great machine and value.
Score: 32 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Mac Fly (film) Avatar
Mac Fly (film)
8 months ago

So is it a spec bump? I'd doubt they'd change the design any.
They are going to put the power button inside now, and provide a convenient screwdriver in the packaging box for when you need to turn the machine off and on again.
Score: 17 Votes (Like | Disagree)
U
ultratiem
8 months ago

512GB standard storage would be nice. Overall the mini is such a great machine and value.
No way. None. Zip. The base model is $599 and I bet 80% just can’t live with 256 so they inflate the price to $799. I bet Cook takes bows still for that stunt.

All he cares about is squeezing every last penny from its base. The only immediate issue is he’s now really hitting hard on what people need to spec bump just to have quality of life. I don’t care about your take on Cook or Apple, 256GB in 2025 is wild.
Score: 10 Votes (Like | Disagree)
rafark Avatar
rafark
8 months ago

already? october 2026 launch seems ideal, or thats what i wish
the mini getting the yearly upgrade treatment doesnt sit right at all to me
Why not? The m chips are basically glorified A chips (in the good sense) and we get new A chips every year. It’s nice that the mac gets updated frequently.
Score: 8 Votes (Like | Disagree)
N
neuropsychguy
8 months ago

already? october 2026 launch seems ideal, or thats what i wish
the mini getting the yearly upgrade treatment doesnt sit right at all to me
If it is upgraded this year, it will be perfect for me. I need a new computer at work and the mini is a great option to replace my 13 year old iMac.

I’d rather not start with a year old processor for this machine I’m trying to run for about 10 years.
Score: 8 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Moonjumper Avatar
Moonjumper
8 months ago
My M4 Pro Mini is a great device, so I won’t be surprised if a chip upgrade is the only change. I would like to see the power button moved to somewhere more accessible though.
Score: 8 Votes (Like | Disagree)
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