Apple has quietly launched its new M6 Mac Mini ahead of its September 9 event, signalling a wave of upcoming product releases—and higher prices. Picture: Apple
Image: Apple
Earlier this week, Apple quietly dropped a new product via a press release on its website, confirming the next generation of Mac mini models.
Notably, the standard Mac mini is the first Apple device to feature the new M6 processor.
However, continuing recent industry trends, prices have taken another jump. In the US, the entry-level M6 Mac mini starts at $899—roughly R14,300, though local import costs and taxes will push the South African retail price higher.
Alongside it, Apple unveiled the higher-tier Mac mini Pro powered by the M5 chip, starting at $1,699 (approximately R27,157 before local duties).
With Apple’s primary annual launch event scheduled for September 9, this surprise press release breaks standard protocol. Apple rarely debuts new hardware silently right before a major keynote, sparking speculation that a massive queue of releases is waiting in the wings.
Potential upcoming reveals include a long-overdue update to the Apple TV, which has remained untouched since 2022.
Clearing these minor updates out of the way early could allow Apple to dedicate its full September keynote to the upgraded, AI-powered Siri originally announced earlier this year.
Industry watchers also expect new budget iPads and a second-generation MacBook Neo, rumoured to address memory bottlenecks by offering upgraded unified memory.
Until recently, Apple had largely been insulated from the surge in RAM and storage component prices, which have soared as AI features demand more powerful hardware.
For example on Apple.com, the price of the 15-inch MacBook Air has increased by $100 (about R1,600), while the Mac mini now costs $200 (around R3,200) more.
While much of the upcoming timeline remains speculative, one takeaway is clear: consumers should prepare for higher price tags across the board.
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