What to Expect From the Next Mac Mini

[MacRumors]

AppleInsider's Marko Zivkovic today said that he has discovered a device identifier for what is "almost certainly" a Mac mini with an M5 chip.

He already discovered an identifier for a potential Mac mini with an M5 Pro chip last month.

All in all, the next Mac mini will be powered by M5 and M5 Pro chips, if he is right.

Given that the current Mac mini can be configured with M4 and M4 Pro chip options, it might sound incredibly obvious that the next model will apparently have M5 and M5 Pro chip options. However, keep in mind that Apple does not always update the Mac mini on a regular basis. For example, the Mac mini skipped the M3 and M3 Pro chips.

The next Mac mini might not have many other changes, as the desktop computer already received its first redesign since 2010 last year. Released in October 2024, the current Mac mini is significantly smaller than the previous model, and it features two front-facing USB-C ports, Thunderbolt 5 support for configurations with the M4 Pro chip, and more. In the U.S., pricing starts at $599 for a model with 256GB of storage and 16GB of RAM.

When will the Mac mini be updated next? It was initially rumored that the first M5 Macs would launch later this year, but more recent reporting has pointed towards early 2026.

Article Link: What to Expect From the Next Mac Mini

 

[spaxxedout]

Marko switched up?? I didn’t believe in magic until my dog turned into a snake.

 

[Corefile]

So is it a spec bump? I'd doubt they'd change the design any.

 

[azentropy]

512GB standard storage would be nice. Overall the mini is such a great machine and value.

 

[woliparada]

already? october 2026 launch seems ideal, or thats what i wish
the mini getting the yearly upgrade treatment doesnt sit right at all to me

 

[MacATDBB]

This is very good to hear. I have M2 and M4 minis but would buy an M5 pro mini in a moment. Great little machines.

 

[goodthymes]

Wishful thinking on my part but would love to see the TB5 port also act as the power input for the Mini. Adding magsafe to the top of the Mini would be supreme.

 

[x86dude]

Great. Put it in a Mac Pro case and it’s a deal.

 

[DICK_CHENEY]

Was this really worthy of an article?

 

[vantelimus]

Was this really worthy of an article?

It got your engagement and showed you a few ads. I'll let you figure it out from there.

 

[iZac]

Imagine if they're only updating it to somehow brick the user installed SSD upgrades.

 

[Corefile]

Was this really worthy of an article?

I think so as an M5 Mini would be the most important Mac Mini release since the M4 Mini was introduced.

 

[VTGuy79]

I'm deciding between a Mac mini M4 (or this potential) and the iMac. Specs would be the same. I have a decent monitor but not as good as the iMac's.

 

[Moonjumper]

My M4 Pro Mini is a great device, so I won’t be surprised if a chip upgrade is the only change. I would like to see the power button moved to somewhere more accessible though.

 

[drrich2]

Hard to imagine they'll let the Mac Mini outshine the MacBook Pros with an M5 chip when they don't offer that.

Other than Wifi 7, not sure what else other than a processor speed bump they'd enhance it with.

I like seeing improvements on a schedule as fast as possible, but unless we start seeing rumors of MacBook Pros with M5s on the near horizon, I'm with Team 2026 for the next Mac Mini (and no guarantees then).

 

[neuropsychguy]

already? october 2026 launch seems ideal, or thats what i wish
the mini getting the yearly upgrade treatment doesnt sit right at all to me

If it is upgraded this year, it will be perfect for me. I need a new computer at work and the mini is a great option to replace my 13 year old iMac.

I’d rather not start with a year old processor for this machine I’m trying to run for about 10 years.

 

[JosephAW]

Maybe a $100 price bump?

 

[Mac Fly (film)]

So is it a spec bump? I'd doubt they'd change the design any.

They are going to put the power button inside now, and provide a convenient screwdriver in the packaging box for when you need to turn the machine off and on again.

 

[Mac Fly (film)]

Maybe a $100 price bump?

Congratulations: you unlocked another complaint.

 

[ultratiem]

512GB standard storage would be nice. Overall the mini is such a great machine and value.

No way. None. Zip. The base model is $599 and I bet 80% just can’t live with 256 so they inflate the price to $799. I bet Cook takes bows still for that stunt.

All he cares about is squeezing every last penny from its base. The only immediate issue is he’s now really hitting hard on what people need to spec bump just to have quality of life. I don’t care about your take on Cook or Apple, 256GB in 2025 is wild.

 

[citysnaps]

Was this really worthy of an article?

For me... absolutely. I'm currently running my home automation software on an Intel-era Mini 24/7 and am looking to upgrade to an AS processor. An M5 Mini would be outstanding. Far better performance and far less power dissipation.

I suspect many thousands of others will be also be interested.

The good news is you're not required to read every MR story. Just scroll on by and find happiness. Easy.

 

[Loud_Texan]

I just bought an M4 MacBook Air!

What to do now?


/s

 

[NewOldStock]

Up the ports speeds/types and Video outputs and change memory config and storage and Wifi.
Lots of changes could be made.

 

[drrich2]

One change some have lamented the lack of; an SD reader slot in the front, like the Studio. That would also make it visually distinct from the M4 series, important given that they are not likely to do a radical redesign this soon after the one done with the M4 series Mini.

 

[JensenKA]

Well, ****, I was gonna pick up a Mac mini when the macOS update drops, but I guess I'm sitting on my hands a bit longer.

That 2016 MacBook Pro's gonna march on for a bit longer.