Surprise & Shine is the name for Apple's 9 September event, where we expect to hear about the iPhone 18 and long-rumoured foldable iPhone Ultra. But perhaps a bigger surprise was this week's largely unexpected announcement of a new Max mini and Mac Studio.
The Cupertino tech giant has upgraded the silicon in both of its desktop computers. The new Mac mini comes with a choice between Apple's M5 Pro or new M6 chip, while the Mac Studio comes with either the M5 Max or M5 Ultra. In each case it's an iterative but significant jump that should mean better performance in creative software.
Preorders are now live, with prices starting at $899 / £899 for the base M6 Mac mini and $2,499 / £2,499 for the Mac Studio with M5 Max chip. Premium configurations of the M5 Ultra cost well over $10,000, but there are ways to save on all models. The Apple Store is offering trade-in credit if you have swap an older Mac: up to $480 for an older Mac mini and up to $580 for a MacBook Air.
The new Mac desktops will start shipping on 22 September. Also check out the brilliant new stop-motion Mac mini advert.
- Mac mini M6: $899 at Apple | Amazon | Best Buy
- Mac mini M5 Pro: $1,699 at Apple | Amazon | Best Buy
- Mac Studio M5 Max: $2,499 at Apple | Best Buy
- Mac Studio M5 Ultra: $5,499 at Apple | Best Buy
New 2026 Mac mini and Mac Studio: who are they for?
