First impressions here are great. The Mac Mini (2026) with M5 Pro is a tiny machine, with a very capable chipset inside and the ability to get a lot done.
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Choice of chipsets Pick between the M6 and M5 Pro chips
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Starting memory M6 starts at 16GB, while the M5 Pro starts at 24GB
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Tiny form-factor The computer is so small considering the power
Apple’s smallest desktop has been updated for 2026, and I’ve had the chance to start testing the machine ahead of its release date.
Available with M6 and M5 Pro chip options, the Mac Mini 2026 sits below the updated Mac Studio as Apple’s entry-level desktop machine ideal for those who already have peripherals and a monitor.
Continuing the theme of 2026, there have been price rises here. The Mac Mini isn’t quite the no-brainer bargain it was before, with the M6 model starting at £899/$899 and the M5 Pro at £1699/$1699. The prices get even higher when extra memory and storage are considered.
But even with the higher starting point, is the Mac Mini still the best Mac for most, and the most cost-effective way to get a powerful, AI-ready desktop at home?
(NOTE: I have been testing the M5 Pro Mac Mini for a few days – long enough to give some initial impressions but not long enough for a full verdict. Once all the testing is complete, a star-rating will be added, along with more in-depth testing)
- Diminutive body for the power available
- Ports on the front and back
- Small enough to slot anywhere
When Apple first introduced the new design for the Mac Mini with the M4 version (a computer I loved when I reviewed it, and still love now), it felt like a notable shift for the desktop. Previous iterations of M-series Minis packed Apple’s silicon into exteriors built for Intel chips. Lots of space was wasted. That’s far from the case now, and these new models utilise the same diminutive case as the M4 model.
The size is important because it allows the Mac Mini to be a more versatile machine than previous generations. It can be slotted into desk setups that are tight on space, and it works tremendously well as a media machine under a TV. It can even be thrown in a bag and moved between, say, a home office and a workplace.
This is very much a machine focused on USB-C connectivity. Which is welcome in some aspects, but I do miss the SD card slot that sits on the front of the pricier Mac Studio.
The M5 Pro model I am testing features two USB 3 USB-C ports on the front – with speeds up to 10Gb/s – alongside a 3.5mm headphone jack. Around the back, there are a further three USB-C ports, although these are faster Thunderbolt 5/ USB 4 versions. There’s also an HDMI port, 2.5Gb Ethernet and a power connector. The cheaper M6 version keeps the same number of ports, but with the slower Thunderbolt 4 speeds on the rear.
I’d say this port selection is plentiful for the target market. I appreciate the front-facing ports, both of which are handy for quickly charging a phone or attaching an accessory that doesn’t require full speed, while the rear ones are more capable and for connecting displays, faster drives, etc. A single traditional USB-A port would have been nice – there are still a load of uses for these, although it’s not very Apple.
You can connect the Mac mini to a display through either the HDMI or Thunderbolt port. This M5 Pro version supports three external displays, each of which can be 6K at 60Hz or 4K at 165Hz. You can output a single display at 8K too, and VRR, HDR and multi-channel audio are all supported.
When you buy a Mac Mini, you only get the computer. You’ll need to provide your own peripherals and display, so these must be factored into the cost if you don’t already have them. I think the Mac Mini is best for those who will slot it into an existing setup, whereas something like the iMac is better if you’re starting from scratch. Check out our buying guides for the best monitors, keyboards, and mice for top recommendations for your setup.
- M5 Pro version tested, although available with an M6
- 16-64GB RAM, up to 8TB storage
The last 12 months or so have been brutal for the computing industry, especially for those looking to buy new tech. Prices have risen astronomically, mostly due to all these big tech companies hoovering up RAM and storage to run huge AI data centres. Everything is more expensive as a result, including the Mac Mini.
The base M4 version of the machine, which launched in 2024, started at £599/$599. The base M6 version, with 16GB RAM and a 256GB SSD, now starts at £899/$899. That’s a hefty rise.
I have the M5 Pro version in for testing, which starts at £1699/$1699 – although it can get a lot pricier than that. My model has the improved 18-core CPU and 20-core GPU, and that comes with 24GB RAM as standard. RAM upgrade prices are predictably pricey: 48GB is an extra £600/$600, while 64GB is a whopping £1000/$1000. A specced-out machine with 64GB RAM and 8TB of storage will set you back nearly £7000/$7000.
The Mac Mini has become increasingly popular for AI workflows, especially when the power of multiple machines is harnessed together. So having these higher CPU, GPU and RAM options is welcome.
Whichever model you get, there’s an Apple N1 chip inside that supports Wi-Fi 7 and Bluetooth 6, plus Thread support. There is a speaker onboard, but mostly I have found this is only good for alerts – and maybe basic listening. If you want to listen to music, connect up a speaker.
For someone looking at the options available for the new Mac Mini for the first time, it would be understandable for many to assume the M6 is the higher-end model. That’s fair – often the higher number represents the newer, better product. But that’s not the case. While the M6 is newer, and the M5 Pro has been available for a while now in MacBook Pro models, the latter is the more capable chip.
I’ve only had the Mac Mini M5 Pro for a couple of days. It’s been enough time to run some initial benchmarks, just not long enough to render a full verdict. I also haven’t had the chance to test it in daily real-world use, so that’ll come later.
See below for some initial benchmark results.
- – Single Core: 3583, Multi-Core: 32758
- – Single Core: 4065, Multi-Core: 27911
- – Single thread: 699, Multiple Threads: 8123
First impressions are strong, though, although that’s hardly surprising considering we’ve known previously that this is a very capable chipset. This is a bump from the M4 Pro, and a notable jump over the standard M4 – although it’s a lot more money.
After a few days of testing, the Mac Mini M5 Pro seems like an impressive desktop option for those who want a good amount of power, whether for higher-end video editing or AI workflows. I’ve not yet done all the tests I want to do to give it a full score, but that’ll come in the next few days.
| Apple Mac Mini (2026, M5 Pro) Review | |
|---|---|
| CPU | Apple M5 Pro |
| Manufacturer | Apple |
| Storage Capacity | 2TB, 4TB |
| Size (Dimensions) | 12.7 x 12.7 x 5 CM |
| Weight | 0.67 KG |
| Operating System | macOS |
| Release Date | 2026 |
| First Reviewed Date | 21/09/2026 |
| Model Variants | M5 Pro, M6 |
| Resolution | x |
| Ports | Three rear Thunderbolt 5 (USB-C) ports, Two front USB-C ports with support for USB 3 (up to 10Gb/s), 3.5mm jack |
| GPU | Apple M5 Pro |
| Connectivity | Apple N1 wireless networking chip, Wi‑Fi 7 (802.11be), Bluetooth 6, Thread networking technology |
| Colours | Silver |
| Touch Screen | Not Applicable |
| Convertible? | Not Applicable |
| UK RRP | £1699 |
| USA RRP | $1699 |