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Apple Mac mini (M1) vs Apple Mac mini (M6 or M5 Pro)

Every spec side by side, from each maker's published figures.

Better figure, where one is clearly better

AppleMac mini (M1)AppleMac mini (M6 or M5 Pro)
Overview
ReleasedNovember 2020September 2026
Performance
ProcessorApple M1Apple M6 or Apple M5 Pro
CPU cores812, 15 or 18
Graphics8-core GPU12-core GPU, 16-core GPU or 20-core GPU
Memory8 GB or 16 GB16 GB, 24 GB, 32 GB, 48 GB or 64 GB
Storage256 GB to 2 TB256 GB to 8 TB
CPU8-core CPU with 4 performance cores and 4 efficiency coresM6: 12-core CPU with 2 super cores, 4 performance cores and 6 efficiency cores; M5 Pro: 15-core CPU with 5 super cores and 10 performance cores, or 18-core CPU with 6 super cores and 12 performance cores
GPU8-core GPUNeural Accelerators; hardware-accelerated ray tracing
AI engine16-core Neural EngineDual 16-core Neural Engine (M6); 16-core Neural Engine (M5 Pro)
Memory bandwidth–M6: 153GB/s with 16GB, 170GB/s with 24GB or 32GB; M5 Pro: 307GB/s
Storage typeSSD, configurable to 512 GB, 1 TB or 2 TBSSD
Media engine–Hardware-accelerated H.264, HEVC, ProRes and ProRes RAW; video decode engine; video encode engine; ProRes encode and decode engine; AV1 decode
Display
ScreenNone built inNone built in
Connections
Ports2 × Thunderbolt 3, 2 × USB-A, HDMI, Ethernet, headphone jack3 × Thunderbolt 4, 2 × USB-C, HDMI, Ethernet, headphone jack
Ethernet1 Gb/s2.5 Gb/s
External displaysUp to 2Up to 3
Wi-FiWi-Fi 6Wi-Fi 7
Bluetooth5.06
Front ports–2 × USB-C with USB 3 (up to 10Gb/s); 3.5 mm headphone jack with advanced support for high-impedance headphones
Back portsTwo Thunderbolt / USB 4 ports with DisplayPort, Thunderbolt 3 and USB 4 up to 40 Gb/s, and USB 3.1 Gen 2 up to 10 Gb/s; two USB-A ports up to 5 Gb/s; HDMI; Gigabit Ethernet, configurable to 10 Gb Ethernet; 3.5 mm headphone jackM6: 3 × Thunderbolt 4 (USB-C) with Thunderbolt 4 and USB 4 (up to 40Gb/s) and DisplayPort; M5 Pro: 3 × Thunderbolt 5 (USB-C) with Thunderbolt 5 (up to 120Gb/s), USB 4 (up to 40Gb/s) and DisplayPort; HDMI with multichannel audio output; 2.5Gb Ethernet (RJ-45), configurable to 10Gb Ethernet
External displaysOne display up to 6K 60 Hz over Thunderbolt and one up to 4K 60 Hz over HDMI, simultaneouslyM6: up to three (two at up to 6K 60Hz or 4K 165Hz, plus a third at up to 5K 60Hz over Thunderbolt or 4K 60Hz over HDMI), or two (one at up to 8K 60Hz, 5K 120Hz or 4K 240Hz, plus one at up to 5K 60Hz over Thunderbolt or 4K 60Hz over HDMI); M5 Pro: up to three at up to 6K 60Hz or 4K 165Hz, or two (one at up to 8K 60Hz, 5K 120Hz or 4K 240Hz, plus one at up to 5K 120Hz or 4K 200Hz); VRR and HDR supported
SpeakersBuilt-in speaker; HDMI multichannel audio outputBuilt-in speaker
Microphones–None built in; Apple says an external microphone or headset is needed for calls
Design and power
TypeCompactCompact
Weight1.2 kg0.67 kg
Width × depth × height197 × 197 × 36 mm127 × 127 × 50 mm
Operating systemmacOSmacOS
Power supplyBuilt-in; 100–240 V AC, 50–60 Hz; maximum continuous power 150 WBuilt-in; 100–240V AC; 155W maximum continuous power
Power use–M6 with 16GB and 256GB: 4W idle, 70W maximum; M5 Pro with 64GB and 8TB: 6W idle, 145W maximum
Noise5 dBA sound pressure at idle and during Apple's wireless web test (operator position)5 dBA sound pressure at idle (operator position); declared to ECMA-109 as 1.3 B sound power and 4 dB sound pressure at idle and wireless web (M5 Pro, 18-core CPU, 20-core GPU)
Materials100% recycled aluminium enclosure100% recycled aluminium enclosure; 50% recycled content overall
ColoursSilverSilver
In the boxMac mini, power cordMac mini, power lead (1.8 m)

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