Mac mini with M5: Apple allegedly already busy testing

Friends of the Mac mini apparently need not worry that Apple's smallest desktop computer will continue with its new design in the near future. As the blog Appleinsider reports, citing sources within the company, Apple is currently testing both a variant with the M5 and one with the M5 Pro. These devices are expected at the end of the year at the earliest, but more likely in early to mid-2026.

The fact that Apple is immediately following up the Mac mini models with M4 and M4 Pro with M5 and M5 Pro is not a matter of course. Apple skipped the M3 and M3 Pro – The larger gap was probably due to the extensive downsizing of the computer that took place with the M4 generation. And in general, the M3 seemed to be a chip that Apple wanted to leave behind quickly due to higher production costs.

Tests with different software versions

Appleinsider reports that the Mac mini with M5 will be called J873g, the Pro version J873s. The manufacturer is thus following the naming scheme of the M4 generation. Apple is reportedly testing the devices with macOS 26.1, the first major update that will be released after macOS 26 and is expected in September. However, test versions of macOS 26.4 and macOS 27 are also being used in the trials. Version 26.4 is considered significant insofar as this version is expected to bring the fundamental renewal of voice assistant Siri.

Observers do not expect the switch to the M5 generation to result in any major changes to the exterior of the Mac mini. With the previous redesign, the housing of the mini was significantly reduced in size. Apple also added additional ports on the back and front. Only the decision to place the on/off switch diagonally under the device instead of on the back caused some discussion.

What the M5 should be able to do better

The M5 promises some internal improvements in performance and energy consumption. The chip contract manufacturer TSMC will continue to produce the processor with 3-nanometer structures. According to rumors, major improvements are to be expected in the Pro and Max models in particular, which allegedly stack several chips on top of each other for the first time with TSMC's "System on Integrated Chips" (SoIC) kit.

In addition to a new edition of the Mac mini, the rumor mill is also expecting new models of the MacBook Pro with M5 Pro and M5 Max and perhaps even a new Mac Pro.

(mki)