Apple has introduced a new generation of the Mac Mini powered by its M6 processor, with the entry-level model priced at $899 as the company places greater emphasis on local artificial intelligence workloads.

The base M6 Mac Mini includes 16GB of memory and 256GB of storage. It is available for pre-order and is due to begin shipping after 22 September. Apple says the machine delivers four times the AI performance of its M4-based predecessor, while storage and graphics performance are twice as fast. 

The M6 version contains a 12-core CPU and 12-core GPU, compared with the 10-core CPU and 10-core GPU in the M4 generation. 

Apple has also introduced a higher-end Mac Mini using the M5 Pro processor. That model starts at $1,699 with 512GB of storage and 24GB of memory. Its standard configuration has a 15-core CPU and 16-core GPU, with upgrades available to an 18-core CPU and 20-core GPU. 

Both versions support Wi-Fi 7 and Bluetooth 6 and include a 2.5-gigabit Ethernet connection, with an optional upgrade to 10-gigabit Ethernet. The machines are expected to ship with macOS 27 and Apple's latest Siri AI features. 

The update comes as compact Macs have attracted interest from developers and technology enthusiasts looking to run AI models and agents locally rather than relying solely on cloud services.

Apple has also refreshed its Mac Studio range. Models using the M5 Max and M5 Ultra start at $2,499 and $5,499 respectively, according to the company. 

The new $899 starting price also represents a change in Apple's Mac Mini line-up. An earlier 256GB model had sold for $599 before being discontinued, while an M4 model with 512GB of storage subsequently became the base option at $799.