Early reviews of Apple’s new Mac mini are broadly positive about its performance, but less enthusiastic about its price. The desktop now starts at $899 in the United States, a $300 increase over the previous model’s launch price of $599.

The new Mac mini arrives with M6 and M5 Pro chip options and is scheduled to launch Tuesday. Reviewers say the small desktop remains powerful and versatile, including for artificial intelligence workloads, but the higher entry price makes it harder to view as an exceptional bargain.

Mac mini performance earns strong reviews

WIRED reviewer Luke Larsen called the computer “still a good deal,” pointing to the capabilities of Apple’s M6 and M5 Pro processors. The overall assessment from early reviews is similar: Apple has delivered a highly capable machine in the Mac mini’s compact desktop format.

Reviews from Tom’s Guide, CNET, Engadget, 9to5Mac, and Six Colors also focus on the system’s combination of small size and strong performance. The coverage indicates that the new chips are a central strength of the updated model, particularly for buyers interested in demanding applications or AI-related tasks.

Why the higher price matters

The main criticism is not that the Mac mini performs poorly. Instead, reviewers question whether its value proposition remains as compelling after the $300 increase.

The previous model entered the market at $599, putting the Mac mini in a notably affordable position among Apple’s desktop computers. At $899, the new version still offers a relatively compact way to access Apple silicon performance, but buyers now face a much larger initial investment.

That change also raises the importance of a buyer’s existing setup. The Mac mini is a desktop computer, so customers must account for the rest of their workstation when judging the total cost. The reviews’ focus on value reflects how much the computer’s appeal has historically depended on delivering substantial performance at a comparatively low starting price.

Apple points to memory chip costs

Apple has attributed price increases across many of its products to the ongoing shortage of memory chips. The company said the rising cost of RAM and storage chips has been passed on to customers.

That explanation provides context for the Mac mini’s higher starting price, but it does not eliminate the practical impact for shoppers. Buyers considering the new model will need to weigh the M6 and M5 Pro performance against the substantially higher cost of entry.

Based on the first reviews, the M6 Mac mini remains an attractive option for users who prioritise performance in a small desktop. Its main disadvantage is that it no longer delivers the same standout value associated with the previous generation.