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Apple is planning new desktop Macs with M5 chips next year. According to current information, the M5 Mac mini and the Mac Studio with M5 Max and M5 Ultra are already in the starting blocks. A new report now provides more precise information on when the market launch can be expected.
Apple has consistently relied on its own chips in recent years, regularly updating its Mac lineup. Following the introduction of M1 through M4 variants, the next generation is now on the horizon: the M5. While previous reports have primarily focused on new MacBooks with the M5, concrete details about the desktop models are now emerging. In his "Power On" newsletter, Mark Gurman provides, for the first time, a more precise timeframe for the market launch of the M5 Mac mini and the Mac Studio with the M5 Max and M5 Ultra.
M5 Mac mini and Mac Studio will be released mid-year
According to Gurman , Apple plans to introduce the new desktop Macs in mid-2026. Specifically, the following models are expected:
- M5 Mac mini
- M5 Pro Mac mini
- Mac Studio with M5 Max
- Mac Studio with M5 Ultra
This suggests a clear timeline for Apple's product strategy: The MacBook Air with M5 and the MacBook Pro with M5 Pro and M5 Max are expected to be launched as early as the beginning of 2026, followed by the more powerful desktop versions in the middle of the year.
No design changes are expected for the Mac mini.
The Mac mini was redesigned in 2024, so a new design is considered unlikely. From a hardware perspective, there's little to suggest an early market launch: the M5 Pro should already be available when the MacBook Pro is released in the first quarter. Therefore, a delayed launch cannot be explained by a lack of chips or production problems.
This gives Apple a flexible starting position. Since no major design change is necessary and the components are already available, an earlier launch would also be conceivable. Nevertheless, Apple seems to be deliberately planning the Mac mini for the summer.
Mac Studio: M5 Ultra could delay release
The situation is different with the Mac Studio. The Ultra versions of Apple's chips traditionally appear later than the base and Pro variants. The M5 Ultra could therefore actually be the reason why the Mac Studio won't be released until mid-year. Unlike with the Mac mini, a delay here would be understandable – the most powerful chips require more time for completion and validation.
No connection to new Apple displays
Another striking point in Gurman's report: Apple is expected to launch two new Mac displays in early 2026. These could be successors to the Studio Display or the Pro Display XDR. At first glance, it would seem logical to release new Macs and displays simultaneously – but Apple appears to be deliberately avoiding this.
It seems likely that Apple views the Mac mini and Mac Studio as specialized products that function independently of peripheral launches. Those who purchase these devices often do so specifically, regardless of whether a new display is available. This suggests that Apple isn't planning a major launch campaign, but rather a simple update on its usual annual cycle.
An earlier market launch remains possible
Despite Gurman's mention of a "mid-year" release, there's still room for maneuver. Should Apple actually launch the M5 MacBook Air and MacBook Pro early in the year, it would be technically possible to release the Mac mini earlier as well. The necessary M5 Pro chip would already be available by then.
Nevertheless, there are several indications that Apple is using this leeway to strategically stagger the launch of its desktop Macs – especially in a year where several important products could be released throughout the year.
Mac mini and Mac Studio are expected to be released in mid-2026.
Apple will update the Mac mini and Mac Studio with M5 chips in 2026. According to Mark Gurman, a mid-year release is planned. While the Mac mini would be technically ready to launch sooner, the Mac Studio, with its M5 Ultra chipset, might require a bit more lead time. New displays are also expected, but apparently don't affect the desktop Macs' timeline. This aligns with Apple's established practice: high-performance devices receive targeted updates, even without a major marketing campaign. Those waiting for the next generation can expect a market launch in summer 2026. (Image: Apple)
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