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Apple Debuts M5 Ultra in Mac Studio and M6 in Mac Mini

A move to speed on-device AI through larger chips that also raises entry prices.

Overview

  • Reviews published Monday report the M5 Ultra appears in a new Mac Studio test unit built from two M5 Max dies joined by a silicon interposer.
  • The M6 debuts in a refreshed Mac mini and Apple also offers an M5 Pro option, with the M6 made on TSMC's 2 nm node and the M5 Pro on 3 nm.
  • Benchmarks and real-world tests show clear gains: the Mac mini with M6 outpaces the M4 in Geekbench and Cinebench and shortens tasks like 4K video export.
  • Prices have risen noticeably, with the Mac mini starting at €1,049 for 16 GB/256 GB and the reviewed Mac Studio M5 Ultra configuration priced at about €14,079.
  • The launches signal Apple is prioritizing local AI capability across a tiered lineup, a shift shaped by fabrication delays and higher component costs that could raise spending for professionals and prosumers.