M6 Mac mini vs M4 Mac mini: Specs, features, price

Apple has refreshed the Mac mini adding the M6, in an unusually timed update. Here’s how the new model specs compare against the M4 version it replaces.

In a rare move, Apple has updated the Mac mini just before its main iPhone event, rather than during its usual fall Mac window. The big change is the shift from the M4 generation it has been on for almost two years.

That shift isn’t to the M5, but to M6.

However, it’s also Apple’s usual spec-bump update, with the main changes being internal, not external. All of this has been done while retaining the Mac mini’s compact design without sacrificing mass.

This is how the M6 Mac mini compares against the M4 Mac mini it replaces.

M6 Mac mini vs M4 Mac mini – Specifications

M6 Mac mini vs M4 Mac mini – Design, weight, size

The Mac mini received a major redesign with the M4 generation, shrinking to a much smaller footprint. Apple is not changing that design for the M6 model one bit.

The M6 Mac mini keeps the same 5-inch by 5-inch square footprint as the M4 version. It stands 2 inches tall, versus the 1.41 inches of the wider M2 model.

M6 Mac mini vs M4 Mac mini: Externally, there’s no change at all, really.

The front-facing ports also carry over from the M4 redesign. That means two USB-C 10 gigabit per second ports and a headphone jack on the front, so you avoid reaching around the back for everyday connections.

Weight is unchanged at 1.5 pounds for the M6, matching the M4 exactly. This is expected given the shared enclosure, and as a desk-based device, it doesn’t matter too much either.

The M4 changed up where the power button was, putting it in a corner underneath the unit. It’s a quirk of the smaller design, which also comes through on the new model.

For most buyers, the two generations are visually indistinguishable. The changes are inside the aluminum shell, not outside it.

M6 Mac mini vs M4 Mac mini — Performance

The M4 chip in the previous Mac mini was a 10-core CPU, with four performance and six efficiency cores. It had a 10-core GPU and a 16-core Neural Engine.

The M6 Mac mini moves to the 2-nanometer M6 chip, which is a major change for the compact computer. It’s the first model to ship under the new chip generation.

A representation of the M6 chip – Image Credit: Apple

This time, Apple has a 12-core CPU running the show, consisting of two super cores, four performance cores, and six efficiency cores. As usual, Apple says the new chip has better cores, this time with the “world’s fastest single-threaded performance.”

There’s also more cores in the now 12-core GPU, but the bigger change is the inclusion of Neural Accelerators in each core. This was a change in the M5 generation, which helped significantly bump performance for machine learning or AI tasks.

Apple claims the M6 GPU delivers up to four times the peak AI compute of the M4, and 2x faster graphics.

The Neural Engine has also been given a change this time. While before it was a 16-core design in the M4, the M6 now uses a Dual 16-core Neural Engine.

As for how fast the dual version can be, Apple says the Neural Engine will deliver twice the performance than the previous generation. It’s an easy thing to claim, since it’s twice the core count.

Apple’s press release claims a 4.8x speed improvement on LLM prompt processing in LM Studio over the M4, when taking into account the accelerators.

Again, this should help make the M6 Mac mini an absolute AI powerhouse.

M6 Mac mini vs M4 Mac mini – Memory and the current market

Memory is one of the more interesting angles this generation. The current state of the memory market has pushed capacities and value in the buyer’s favour.

At launch, the M4 started with 16GB of unified memory, with options for 24GB and 32GB. However, in May, it started to cull some options, with 32GB taken away as a memory tier.

For the M6, Apple changes the situation back. There’s the base 16GB, a 24GB option, and a return of the 32GB level.

M6 Mac mini vs M4 Mac mini: Both the old and new Mac minis can beat some older Mac Pro models.

This is not an entirely surprising move for Apple, but one that can be a very costly one for consumers. If you want more memory, you’re going to have to pay a bit more for those upgrades thanks to the supply issues.

With similar capacities, the difference is in the faster bandwidth feeding them, which helps the chips make better use of them.

Memory bandwidth is a headline gain, climbing to 170GB/s on the M6 from the M4’s 120GB/s.

For anyone running large local AI models, the higher bandwidth matters. Moving data between the CPU, GPU, and Neural Engine is quicker, which speeds up on-device inference.

M6 Mac mini vs M4 Mac mini – Benchmark estimation

Direct benchmarks for the M6 Mac mini are not yet available, even though Apple has outlined the specifications of the chips. For the M5, we would’ve drawn conclusions from an equivalent M5 Mac, but that is not the case here.

What we are left with is Apple’s speculation and applying them against the M4 results we know about. Namely those published in the Geekbench 7 results table.

Geekbench 7 single-core benchmarks based on Apple’s M6 claims

Apple says the M6 delivers up to 40% faster CPU performance than the M4, thanks to those Super Cores. In the same breath, the M6 is also claimed to have up to 1.2 times faster multi-threaded performance over the M4.

For single-core performance, the M4 Mac mini scores 3,277. If we take Apple’s 40% improvement claim as fact, that would make the M6 Mac mini hit about 4,590 for the same benchmark.

Geekbench 7 multi-core benchmarks and an estimation based on Apple’s claims.

When it comes to multi-core, that 1.2x claim that Apple made would mean a shift from 15,359 for the M4 to an impressive 18,431.

Geekbench 7 Metal benchmarks, comparing M4 Mac mini results against an estimate for the M6.

On the GPU side, Apple says the graphics will be twice as fast as the M4 Mac mini. With a Metal score of 54,176 for the M4, the M6 version should theoretically push past 100,000, matching the M4 Pro Mac mini.

We will update this section with Mac mini figures once verified M6 Mac mini scores are published.

M6 Mac mini vs M4 Mac mini – Ports and connectivity

Connectivity carries over almost entirely from the M4 generation. Both models keep the same rear and front port layout.

The M6 Mac mini uses HDMI, three Thunderbolt 4 ports, two front USB-C ports, and a front headphone jack, just like the M4 version. While Thunderbolt 5 exists, it’s still being kept as a benefit of the Pro models.

The only physical connection to change is the Ethernet. While the M4 Mac mini started with Gigabit Ethernet with 10Gb as an option, it’s changed to have a 2.5Gb Ethernet base configuration and a 10Gb upgrade.

Wireless connectivity is also upgraded. The M4 used Wi-Fi 6E and Bluetooth 5.3, but the M6 upgrades to Wi-Fi 7 and Bluetooth 6.

M6 Mac mini vs M4 Mac mini: The rear port lineup is the same, as too is the power button.

Display support has changed a little bit.

The M4 could handle two 6K 60Hz screens over Thunderbolt and a third 5K 60Hz over Thunderbolt or HDMI. There was even a possibility for an 8K screen at 60Hz or 4K at 240Hz over Thunderbolt or HDMI supported by another 5K 60Hz on Thunderbolt.

The new M6 Mac mini also does three with two 6K 60Hz Thunderbolt or 4K 165Hz screens over Thunderbolt, along with a third 5K 60Hz on Thunderbolt or 4K 60Hz on HDMI.

You could also go for an 8K 60Hz or 5K 120Hz or 4K 240Hz screen on Thunderbolt, with a second 5K 60Hz over Thunderbolt or 4K 60Hz over HDMI.

This time, Apple adds that there’s support for two external displays over a single Thunderbolt port, as well as variable refresh rate support.

To hear audio, you can use the same built-in speaker as always on both devices, pipe it through HDMI, or use the 3.5mm headphone jack with high-impedance headphone support.

M6 Mac mini vs M4 Mac mini — Price

At launch, the M4 Mac mini was priced at $599 for 16GB of memory, 256GB of storage, and Gigabit Ethernet.

The upgrade to 24GB cost an extra $200, with $200 more getting you to 32GB. On storage, you could go from 256GB to 512GB of $200, with 1TB another $200 again, and another $400 getting up to 2TB of capacity.

The Ethernet was upgradable for $100.

Now, thanks to factors such as time and the ongoing memory crisis, those M4 prices are a far cry from what it is now.

The base M6 Mac mini with 16GB of memory and 256GB of storage is now $899. That’s a $300 premium on the old model’s launch pricing.

Surprisingly, the memory upgrades are exactly the same, at $200 for 24GB and another $200 again for 32GB. This is probably an upgrade absorbed by that $300 base price increase.

Storage is a bit different, but you do start with the same $200 upgrade fee from 256GB to 512GB. Going to 1TB is now an extra $300 on top, and 2TB an extra $500 on top of that.

The Ethernet upgrade is still $100, mercifully. Though since you start at 2.5Gb, it’s not as massive an upgrade as it once was.

And, it’s not yet clear if the SSDs are socketed again, allowing for unauthorized third-party upgrades.

M6 Mac mini vs M4 Mac mini – Which to buy

The M6 Mac mini is an internal upgrade, so the decision rests on performance rather than design. Externally, the two generations are the same machine and have absolutely no bearing on which you will ultimately want.

The Mac mini is supposed to be a tightly-packed block of computing, after all. It still looks good.

The real meat of the change is in M6. The faster CPU, the better GPU, and the considerable advancement in AI performance.

M6 Mac mini vs M4 Mac mini: Always a pint-sized powerhouse. Just even more so, now.

With the industry continuing to push forward with its artificial intelligence agenda, it certainly makes sense for Apple to bring out something that leans into it.

The networking change is a nice minor benefit, as is the wireless connectivity. The video upgrade is less useful, unless you are at the bleeding edge of display tech and absolutely need it.

But, ultimately, the only reason anyone’s going to really want to get the M6 Mac mini over the M4 is its sheer performance gain and AI chops.

Newer is usually the better pick when it comes for those buying their first Mac mini or are upgrading from a much older model. For once, we can also recommend that the M6 Mac mini could be an adequate upgrade for existing M4 Mac mini users.

At least, for those who do a lot with local AI processing.

Where to buy the M6 Mac mini and M4 Mac mini

Apple’s M6 Mac mini can be preordered at B&H Photo, with prices starting at $899.

Extremely limited supply remains of the M4 line, with Amazon knocking $30 off this M4 Pro configuration. You can find the latest pricing and availability in our M4 Mac mini Price Guide.