At $899, the new Mac mini loses the fun factor of previous generations. The M6 chip delivers impressive performance, but the price hike from $599 makes it significantly less accessible. Earlier models often sold for under $500, making them ideal servers or AI dev boxes. Now, the Mac mini remains the best compact desktop available, but it no longer offers the shockingly great value that defined its recent success.

Apple skipped the M5 chip, launching instead with the M6 and M5 Pro configurations. The M6 supports up to 32GB of RAM, while the M5 Pro reaches 64GB for serious workflows. Apple highlights local AI processing as a key upgrade, claiming the M6 is 13.5x faster than the M1 for LLM prompt processing. Standard performance also sees gains, with the M6 reaching 2.3x the M1's Excel speed.

The design remains unchanged, retaining the iconic five-inch square chassis that feels more like an oversized Apple TV than a traditional computer. However, the power button placement at the bottom remains a minor frustration for hard resets. Port selection includes Thunderbolt 4 on the M6 and Thunderbolt 5 on the M5 Pro, though an SD card slot is still absent. For those needing maximum power, the Mac Studio starts at $2,499. Ultimately, the M6 Mac mini is a capable machine, but its elevated price tag makes it a harder recommendation for budget-conscious users.