Apple’s latest wave of tech innovations is coming in fast, and this time, the spotlight is shifting from the flashy MacBook Pro to something a bit more grounded yet powerful — the M5 Mac Mini. And while the M4-powered version is still fresh on our desks, tech enthusiasts and leakers are already looking ahead to the M5 generation. This information is also featured on 9to9trends YouTube, so don’t forget to check it out.
Why the hype? Apple’s compact desktop finally got a makeover in 2024 after nearly 15 years of being stuck in the same dull chassis. The updated Mac Mini now boasts a design that looks more like a mini Mac Studio — sleek, sharp, and professional. The refreshed look quickly became a fan favorite thanks to its minimalist aesthetic, space-saving form factor, and—most surprisingly—its relative affordability.
M5 Mac Mini Leaks:
The base M4 Mac Mini was launched at a pretty attractive price point of $599, offering a solid 10-core CPU, a 10-core GPU, 16GB of unified memory, and 256GB of storage. For more demanding users, Apple introduced the M4 Pro variant, which starts at $1,399. This version takes things up a notch with 24GB of RAM and 512GB of SSD storage, offering a solid balance between performance and value.
The two models are also differentiated by their port selections: the base M4 includes three Thunderbolt 4 ports on the back, while the Pro version upgrades to the newer Thunderbolt 5 standard — a welcome boost for pros dealing with high-speed data. You’ll also find an Ethernet port, HDMI, and two front-facing USB-C ports delivering up to 10 Gbps speeds.
But as polished as this refresh seems, Apple couldn’t resist slipping in one odd design choice: placing the power button underneath the Mac Mini. Yes, underneath. This means that unless your unit is hovering off your desk, you’ll have to physically lift it to power on. Not a dealbreaker, but definitely one of those head-scratching decisions that makes you wonder what was going on in the design room.
The M5 Chips Are Already in the Works
Now comes the real excitement — the future. Multiple leaks and insider reports confirm that Apple has already begun production of the M5 chip family, including the base M5, M5 Pro, and even M5 Max. This is big news because Apple skipped the M3 entirely in the Mac Mini lineup, much like it did with the iMac M2. That gap left a lot of fans disappointed, unsure whether Apple was quietly phasing out high-end configurations for the Mac Mini altogether. But now, hopes are high again. If the M5 line is already in production, the odds of a 2025 Mac Mini refresh are looking strong — about 70/30 in favor, according to insider chatter.
So, what can we expect from these new chips? The M4 already brought us up to 10 CPU cores, so don’t expect major changes there for the base M5. Instead, Apple might finally shift the GPU from the longstanding 10-core standard to 12 cores. It’s not revolutionary, but it’s a meaningful performance bump for creative professionals and casual users alike.
Meanwhile, the M5 Pro is rumored to receive two additional high-performance CPU cores, plus an upgrade from 16 to 18 GPU cores — a significant step up for users who need serious multitasking and graphics capabilities. That said, RAM is expected to remain unchanged, with 16GB for the base model and 24GB for the Pro. Apple just updated these memory configurations with the M4 launch, so a bump this soon is unlikely.
A Much-Needed Storage Upgrade Might Finally Happen
If there’s one area where Apple’s Mac Mini line consistently lags behind the competition, it’s storage. Even with all the M-series improvements, Apple has stubbornly clung to a 256GB starting capacity — a move that feels increasingly out of touch in 2025. Let’s face it: when even budget Windows mini PCs are shipping with 512GB SSDs by default, Apple’s entry-level option looks like a relic. Thankfully, that might be changing.
There’s growing optimism that the M5 Mac Mini will start with a 512GB SSD by default, finally making it a viable option for photographers, video editors, and developers without forcing them into costly upgrades. And for the M5 Pro version? The jump to 1TB seems likely, aligning Apple with industry standards and, frankly, customer expectations.
If Apple pulls the trigger on these storage upgrades, it would significantly improve the Mac Mini’s overall value, especially since performance bottlenecks on Apple silicon devices often stem more from limited storage than raw processing power. With macOS increasingly reliant on local file caching and heavy memory swapping, more onboard storage isn’t just convenient — it’s essential.
Expected Release Date: Late 2025 or Early 2026
The big question, of course, is: when? When can we expect to see the M5 Mac Mini hit the shelves? While analyst Ming-Chi Kuo has indicated that the first device to receive the M5 chip will be a new iPad Pro—expected to enter mass production in late 2025—this doesn’t necessarily mean the Mac Mini will be left behind. Apple has a well-established pattern of debuting its next-generation chips in mobile devices like the iPad Pro or MacBook Air before extending them to desktop machines.
So, although the iPad Pro may be first in line, the Mac Mini is likely not far behind. Given the popularity of the redesigned M4 Mac Mini and the performance leap Apple achieved with it, it makes strategic sense for Apple to continue pushing the desktop lineup forward with M5-powered variants.
As for the release timing, don’t expect the M5 Mac Mini to launch in the summer. Based on Apple’s usual product cycle and whispers from industry insiders, a late 2025 release—most likely in November—seems to be the sweet spot. At worst, the launch could be nudged into early 2026, landing somewhere around January or February. However, if the current leaks about M5 chip production are accurate, there’s a solid chance that the M5-powered Mac Mini will be announced and shipped before the end of 2025. That timeline would align neatly with Apple’s traditional fall hardware events and keep the Mac Mini competitive heading into the new year.
Price: Expect Familiar Numbers, For Now
Now let’s talk pricing. With the M4 Mac Mini lineup starting at $599 for the base model and $1,399 for the Pro, don’t expect Apple to shake things up just yet. All signs point to the M5 line sticking to those exact prices, at least at launch. Apple tends to maintain the same price structure across multiple generations before introducing any increases unless there’s a dramatic redesign or spec overhaul. And since the M5 Mac Mini will likely be more of a silicon upgrade than a design revamp, $599 and $1,399 are safe bets.
Of course, there’s always the chance Apple sneaks in a small price bump, maybe $100 extra across the board, citing “advanced chip architecture” or “increased production costs.” That wouldn’t be new; we’ve seen similar moves in the MacBook lineup. However, unless inflation or global logistics throw a wrench into Apple’s plans, the pricing structure should remain consistent for at least one more cycle.
Final Thoughts
The Mac Mini has always walked the line between entry-level desktop and powerful workstation. With the M4, Apple finally showed some love to this underrated device, giving it modern ports, a sharp design, and competitive performance. But the upcoming M5 version could be the real game-changer. With confirmed chip production, likely GPU and storage upgrades, and a release window that’s well within sight, the M5 Mac Mini is shaping up to be one of Apple’s most anticipated products in 2025. Whether you’re a casual user, a developer, or a creator, this might finally be the compact desktop that checks all your boxes.
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Last update on 2025-09-26 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
