# Apple M5 and M6 chip development and performance > Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/apple-macbook-hardware-and-m5-chip-development > Updated: 2026-09-24T22:00:00.000Z. Sources: 115. Developments: 6. Apple has launched its 2026 desktop lineup, featuring Mac mini and Mac Studio computers powered by M6 and M5 series chips. The new Mac mini utilizes the first 2nm M6 chip, which includes a dual 16-core Neural Engine designed to provide up to “four times the AI performance of its predecessor” and 40 percent faster CPU performance. This hardware targets the enterprise AI market by enabling high-performance local tasks, such as running large language models, to reduce reliance on cloud-based services. While the chip offers significant gains, the base price has increased to $899 due to rising costs for RAM and storage. Technical analysis has raised concerns regarding the 256GB M6 Mac mini; its single-chip NAND configuration may fail to achieve the “2x storage speed increase” seen in higher-capacity models, resulting in slower read and write speeds. Recent reports confirm that the SSD module is “no longer listed as a replaceable part” for the M6 and M5 Pro versions. While the M4 generation featured removable NAND storage modules that allowed for third-party upgrades, the latest models have the storage soldered directly to the logic board. Specialists such as Expand Mac mini indicate that the previous modular design was a rare exception. Consequently, users are advised to select their required storage capacity at the time of purchase, as internal memory cannot be expanded after assembly. The high-end Mac Studio models are equipped with M5 Max and M5 Ultra chips. The M5 Ultra variant can support up to 512GB of unified memory with 1.2TB/s bandwidth. Technical reviews of the M5 Ultra highlight significant performance leaps over the M3 Ultra, including approximately 30% faster single-core and 50% faster multi-core CPU speeds. ## Claims - The new Mac mini models with M6 and M5 Pro chips feature soldered NAND storage, making them non-upgradable. (corroborated by 16 sources) - The 256GB Mac mini M6 model uses a single NAND chip, resulting in slower SSD speeds compared to 512GB or larger models. (corroborated by 10 sources) - The M6 Mac mini offers up to four times faster AI performance and 40 percent faster CPU performance than the M4 model. (corroborated by 7 sources) - Apple is marketing the new Mac Studio as a platform for running large language models and complex AI tasks locally. (corroborated by 7 sources) - The Mac Studio with M5 Ultra can be configured with up to a 36-core CPU, 80-core GPU, and 512GB of unified memory. (corroborated by 6 sources) - Apple released new Mac mini and Mac Studio models on September 22. (corroborated by 3 sources) - The M6 chip uses a 2nm manufacturing process. (corroborated by 2 sources) - A new framework called 'Learning Ensemble' is proposed to test the reliability of medical AI. (corroborated by 2 sources) - Apple has officially launched the new generation of Mac Studio featuring M5 Max and M5 Ultra chips. (corroborated by 2 sources) - Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang stated that the probability of AI causing the end of the world by 2030 is zero percent. (corroborated by 2 sources) - The Mac Studio with M5 Max/Ultra chips retains a modular SSD design that allows for user replacement and repair. (single source) ## Timeline ### 2026-09-24: Apple Mac mini M6 and M5 Pro models remove SSD upgradeability Apple's new Mac mini models with M6 and M5 Pro chips no longer support SSD upgrades, as storage is now soldered to the logic board, ending the modularity seen in the previous M4 generation. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/apple-mac-mini-m6-and-m5-pro-models-remove-ssd-upgradeability ### 2026-09-24: Apple launches new Mac mini and Mac Studio with M5 and M6 chips Apple has launched new Mac mini and Mac Studio models featuring M6, M5 Pro, M5 Max, and M5 Ultra chips, with a major emphasis on local artificial intelligence performance and professional workflows. 8 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/apple-launches-new-mac-mini-and-mac-studio-with-m5-and-m6-chips ### 2026-09-22: Apple launches new Mac mini and Mac Studio with M6 and M5 chips Apple has released new Mac mini and Mac Studio models featuring M6 and M5 chips, targeting the enterprise AI market with enhanced local processing capabilities and high-performance unified memory. 55 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/apple-launches-m5-powered-mac-studio-to-target-enterprise-ai-market ### 2026-09-20: Apple launches new Mac mini and Mac Studio with M6 and M5 chips Apple launches new Mac mini and Mac Studio models, featuring the 2nm M6 chip and M5 Ultra silicon, optimized for high-performance AI workloads and professional creative tasks. 66 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/apple-m6-pro-benchmark-results-suspected-of-being-fake ### 2026-09-18: Apple M5 chip performance benchmarks and thermal reports emerge Apple's M5 Ultra shows a 41% GPU performance jump in Geekbench tests, while M5 Max MacBook Pro users report significant thermal throttling issues. 6 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/apple-m5-chip-performance-benchmarks-and-thermal-reports-emerge ### 2026-08-21: Apple reportedly developing new MacBook Ultra with touchscreen Apple is reportedly developing a new high-end MacBook Ultra category featuring touchscreens, Tandem OLED displays, and M5-series chips to sit above the current MacBook Pro lineup. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/apple-reportedly-developing-new-macbook-ultra-with-touchscreen --- Cite as: Apple M5 and M6 chip development and performance. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/apple-macbook-hardware-and-m5-chip-development