If there was ever an example of expecting the unexpected from Apple, this is it. On Tuesday 25th August, everyone was taken by surprise when the M6 and M5 Pro debuted in the new Mac mini and the M5 Ultra and Max in the new Mac Studio. Yes, that’s two major products upgraded before Apple’s autumn announcements across its annual September/October events.
Here’s everything you need to know, including the latest stock details, pre-ordering information and a breakdown of the powerful capabilities these new desktop upgrades bring – especially for AI…
New Mac mini and Mac Studio stock
As of 25th August, all Mac mini and Mac Studio stock switched to pre-orders only, with the following models listed:
| Model | Base memory/storage | Lease Loop price |
| Mac mini (M6) | 16GB / 256GB | From £5.74 per week + VAT |
| Mac mini (M5 Pro) | 24GB / 512GB | From £10.40 per week + VAT |
| Mac Studio (M5 Max) | 36GB / 512GB | From £15.26 per week + VAT |
| Mac Studio (M5 Ultra) | 96GB / 1TB | From £32.75 per week + VAT |
To view listings for higher memory and storage options for these devices, visit our Mac mini and Mac Studio product pages.
Essential information
We understand that Apple has cancelled all unfulfilled Mac mini and Mac Studio orders placed before the upgrade announcement on 25th August. Although pre-orders for the new models are available now, shipping and ‘buy now’ availability won’t be until 22nd September. For these reasons, we expect demand to be sky-high.
If you wish to upgrade to any of the new Mac mini or Mac Studio models, placing your order and getting in the virtual queue now is essential to ensure earlier delivery to meet your business needs.
Even more power for AI
The allure of Mac desktops to run local AI models and agentic applications has caused major stock shortages and chip upgrade delays all year long for the Mac mini and Studio. Their capacity, compactness, cost-effectiveness and high power efficiency for ‘always on’ local servers make them a magnet for anyone looking to run local AI models and agents.
Now, finally, chip upgrades for both products have landed – and the AI capabilities are through the roof:
- Mac mini M6: 12-core CPU, 12-core GPU – Dual 16-core Neural Engine
- Mac mini M5 Pro: 15(18)-core CPU, 16(20)-core GPU – 16-core Neural Engine
- Mac Studio M5 Max: 18-core CPU, 32(40)-core GPU – 16-core Neural Engine
- Mac Studio M5 Ultra: 30(36)-core CPU, 64(80)-core GPU – 32-core Neural Engine
Compared to the previous models, which were already highly powerful pieces of kit, the upgraded Mac mini and Mac Studio multiply their capabilities with hikes in AI performance speed, graphics speed and CPU performance, with enhanced connectivity for exceptional on-device ‘always on’ AI capabilities.
What to expect from Apple’s October event
Not even the rumour-oracle Mark Gurman saw this one coming, and we certainly didn’t. Given the memory chip crisis, nobody was expecting mini or Studio upgrades until the end of this year or 2027. Yet here we are with two groundbreakingly powerful new Mac desktops announced in August – both available before Apple’s October event, which is the usual focus for new Mac announcements.
Based on the latest rumours, fuelled by Apple’s accidental leak of unreleased product codes within the macOS Tahoe 26.7 beta, here’s what you might see announced at that event:
- iPad mini 8th Gen
- M6 MacBook Pro
- iMac update
We’re sure the plot will thicken in the coming weeks. So, as always, keep your eyes peeled for more updates from us as and when we get them!
Simple, customer-first upgrades with Lease Loop
We’re here anytime with flexible leasing solutions when you want to upgrade your equipment. Whether your old kit is coming to the end of its lifespan or you’ve got new starters rolling in, we’re ready to kick into action and meet your business needs quickly and effectively.
If you need a bit more information about the new upgrades or how leasing can benefit your business, we’d love to chat. Give us a call on 01952 876928, email sales@leaseloop.co or fill out our online contact form.