Apple overcomes memory shortage with new Mac minis
High-performance AI solutions drive demand for Apple's latest desktop lineup.
1New Mac models announced
Apple has opened pre-orders for new Mac Studio and Mac mini models, shipping September 22, 2026. These compact desktops offer high local AI performance and large memory options. Apple's hardware chief Johny Srouji stated the new Mac Studio is the company's most powerful Mac yet, featuring Neural Accelerators integrated into processor GPUs and high-bandwidth unified memory architecture.
2AI demand drives memory prices up
CEO Tim Cook acknowledged in June that AI demand has increased memory prices, with costs being passed to consumers. The Mac Studio with M5 Ultra chip offers up to 36 CPU cores, 80 GPU cores, and supports 512GB of high-bandwidth unified memory. This configuration, available in October, promises significant performance gains for AI inference tasks.
3Mac mini's AI potential
The Mac mini gained popularity among users running OpenClaw and open-weight AI models. Its unified memory architecture (CPU and GPU sharing RAM) makes it more efficient for AI agents and local inference than comparable PCs. For example, a 64GB unified memory Mac mini outperforms a PC with 64GB system RAM but only 16GB GPU VRAM.
4M6 chip innovations
The M6 chip in Mac mini is Apple's first 2nm processor. This 12-core chip features two additional cores over previous generations. Apple's silicon engineering VP Sri Santhanam noted M6's new CPU architecture, dual 16-core Neural Engine, and increased memory bandwidth enable efficient workload handling with remarkable energy efficiency.
5Thunderbolt 5 clustering
New Mac minis support clustering via Thunderbolt 5, allowing multiple units to connect for running large AI models on-device. M5 Pro models feature three Thunderbolt 5 ports, while M6 models come with three Thunderbolt 4 ports. This capability significantly expands local AI processing power for developers.
6Pricing and memory options
The maxed-out Mac Studio with 256GB RAM and 16TB SSD carries an $18,299 price tag. Mac mini starts at $899 but the base model only includes 16GB shared memory. Upgrading to 32GB costs an additional $400. M5 Pro models support 64GB unified memory and 307GB/s memory bandwidth for data-intensive applications.
7Connectivity and expansion
New Mac minis feature Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth 6, two USB-C (USB 3 supported) ports, and a headphone jack. Rear panel includes HDMI, Ethernet (2.5Gb or 10Gb), and Thunderbolt ports. Mac Studio supports PCIe expansion chassis. Both models will ship with macOS 27, expected to launch mid-September.
8AI-ready hardware
Apple's new Mac lineup addresses growing AI workloads and memory demands. With unified memory architecture, MLX framework support, and energy efficiency, these devices offer powerful options for developers and AI enthusiasts. Hardware optimized for local AI inference delivers high performance despite industry-wide memory shortages.
Original article: www.theregister.com - Articles — Apple yeni Mac mini'lerle bellek kıtlığını aşıyor