Nuovo Mac mini: il chip a 2 nanometri porta più potenza per l'IA

Il nuovo Mac mini punta sul chip a 2 nanometri per dare più potenza alle attività di intelligenza artificiale. Architettura, prezzo e prestazioni professionali delineano il ruolo del compatto desktop nella prossima generazione di strumenti di lavoro.

first desktop refresh with the advanced M6 and M5 Pro processors. The base M6 configuration delivers four times the artificial intelligence performance of the previous M4 generation, while the M5 Pro targets intensive professional workloads. Both machines retain the ultracompact 12.7?cm aluminum chassis but introduce significant internal upgrades in memory bandwidth, neural processing and connectivity, positioning Apple competitively against Windows-based workstations. The unified memory architecture allows the CPU, GPU and 16?core Neural Engine to share a single pool of data, eliminating the latency typical of separate memory subsystems and enabling larger AI models to run locally.

Technical specifications and architecture

The M6 model ships with a 12?core CPU split into two super cores, four performance cores and six efficiency cores, paired with a 12?core GPU. A dedicated 16?core Neural Engine provides 32 AI cores total, while 16?GB or 24?GB of unified memory runs at 170?GB/s. Storage options start at 256?GB with a faster 512?GB SSD available, and Wi?Fi?7 and 2.5?Gb Ethernet ensure future?proof connectivity. The system supports three external displays, including 8K at 60?Hz or 4K at 240?Hz.

The M5 Pro variant steps up to a 15?core CPU (five super cores and ten performance cores) and a 16?core GPU with third?generation ray tracing support. Unified memory remains at 24?GB but operates at 307?GB/s, and storage is fixed at 512?GB. Three Thunderbolt?5 ports expand connectivity, while the chassis adds a headphone jack. The higher?end model weighs 0.73?kg versus 0.67?kg for the M6, reflecting additional cooling for sustained workloads.

Pricing and market positioning

In Italy the M6 line starts at €1,079 for the 16?GB/256?GB configuration, with the 24?GB/512?GB version priced at €1,519. The M5 Pro carries a base price of €2,029. Amazon has already listed pre?orders with discounts of roughly €100?€130 off the official launch prices, making the new machines available sooner than typical Apple product rollouts. The early pricing movement signals strong retailer interest in capturing demand from professionals and creatives who need immediate access to the latest silicon.

Performance implications for professionals

Per attività di sviluppo e uso di modelli di IA in locale, la scelta dipende soprattutto dalla memoria: il modello M6 da 24 GB offre più spazio rispetto alla configurazione base da 16 GB. Per rendering e montaggio video impegnativi, l’M5 Pro abbina 24 GB di memoria a una banda passante di 307 GB/s, contro i 170 GB/s dell’M6. Valuta anche lo spazio di archiviazione: il modello M5 Pro parte da 512 GB, mentre l’M6 base ne offre 256 GB.

Prima dell’acquisto, confronta queste specifiche con i requisiti dei software e dei modelli che usi: la memoria disponibile e lo spazio occupato dai progetti possono incidere più del numero di core.