According to a 2026 review from The Verge, Apple’s 2024 Mac Mini offers a remarkable blend of compact size and enhanced processing power with its new M6 chip lineup. The source highlights a dramatic redesign that shrinks the device to under one liter in volume while packing improved CPU and GPU cores, marking it as a leading performer among small desktop computers.
- Smallest Mac Mini ever with powerful M6 and M5 Pro chips
- Significant price increase from previous base models
- Best value in Mac lineup despite higher starting cost
Product angle
The 2024 Mac Mini redesign emphasizes ultra-compact form factor paired with Apple’s latest M-series silicon. According to the source review, it measures just 0.82 liters in volume, making it easy to mount behind monitors or place discreetly under desks. Despite its small size, it offers multiple fast ports and even a front headphone jack, meeting diverse user connectivity needs.
The new M6 chip features a 12-core CPU and GPU, including the fastest Apple ‘super cores’ alongside performance and efficiency cores, which delivers top-tier single-threaded speed. The beefier M5 Pro variant adds even more CPU and GPU cores for multithreaded workloads but comes at a much higher price point. Both models improve storage speed significantly over previous generations.
Best for / avoid if
This Mac Mini is best suited for users who need a high-performance desktop in a very small footprint, such as space-constrained professionals, content creators, or Apple ecosystem users who prefer desktop power without size compromise. Its strong single-core performance and upgraded I/O appeal to those prioritizing speed and connectivity in a compact design.
Potential buyers should avoid the highest-end M5 Pro configuration if budget constraints exist, as the $2,899 price approaches Mac Studio territory, which may offer better value for extreme performance needs. Those looking for a budget or entry-level Mac Mini may find the $899 starting price less attractive compared to prior base models due to the $300 effective price increase.
Pricing and alternatives to check
The base M6 Mac Mini starts at $899 with 16GB RAM and 256GB SSD, which is roughly $300 more than the last available base M4 Mini model when factoring in previous discontinued lower-storage options. The reviewed M6 mid-tier and M5 Pro flagship models cost $1,299 and $2,899 respectively, escalating significantly with increased memory, storage, and connectivity upgrades.
Buyers should compare pricing against other Apple products like the Mac Studio, especially when considering the M5 Pro Mac Mini model, to ensure they are getting the best value for their performance requirements. For those prioritizing budget over cutting-edge performance or extremely tiny size, other compact desktops or older Mac Mini versions might still be worth considering.