So, Apple has quietly discontinued the base variant of its most affordable and best Mac—the M4. You won’t find the 256GB variant anywhere now, and there is bad news if you were waiting for the Mac M5 as well.
The Mac Mini M5 was actually scheduled to launch in June, but it has now been delayed. The main reason is the massive demand for AI in the market, which has severely impacted the supply chain for RAM and SSDs. Apple delayed the M5 launch due to this component shortage.
This is also exactly why the 256GB variant of the Mac Mini M4 was discontinued; rising supply chain costs meant Apple wasn’t making much profit on the base model. Currently, you can get the 512GB Mac M4 for ₹80,000, but delivery will take almost a month.
The M5 will also come with 512GB of storage, and while there won’t be a huge price difference between the M4 and M5, the M5 will offer superior, up-to-date performance.
Now, the biggest question: when will the M5 arrive? Based on current speculation, you should see the Mac Mini M5 by the end of this year. It’s a bit of a wait, but the Mac Mini M5 is definitely coming.
Mac mini M5 (Rumored) – Expected Price & Specifications
Note: Apple has not officially announced a Mac mini M5. The information below is based on industry reports, leaks, and analyst predictions. Specifications and pricing may change before launch.
🖇️ Check out the previous-gen Macmini M4 – https://link.amazon/B0emUkz6P
Expected Price (USD)
| Model | Expected Starting Price |
|---|---|
| Mac mini M5 | $699–$799 |
| Mac mini M5 Pro | $1,399+ |
Recent reports suggest Apple may discontinue lower-storage base configurations, making 512GB storage the new starting point, which could push prices higher than previous generations.
Expected Specifications
| Feature | Mac mini M5 (Rumored) |
|---|---|
| Chip | Apple M5 |
| CPU | 10–12 cores (expected) |
| GPU | Improved integrated GPU |
| AI Engine | Faster Neural Engine for Apple Intelligence |
| RAM | 16GB unified memory standard |
| Storage | 512GB SSD standard |
| Connectivity | Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth 6 |
| Ports | Thunderbolt 4, HDMI, USB-C |
| Design | Same compact design as current Mac mini |
| OS | Latest macOS version |
Analysts expect the update to focus on performance, AI capabilities, and connectivity rather than a major redesign.
Expected Release Date
Most current reports suggest a late 2026 launch window, although supply-chain issues and memory shortages could affect timing. Some reports even indicate Apple may test configurations using both M5 Pro and M6 chips.
Performance Expectations
Compared to the M4 Mac mini, the M5 version is expected to offer:
- Better AI performance for Apple Intelligence features
- Faster GPU performance
- Improved power efficiency
- Faster SSD speeds
- Better support for local AI and LLM workloads
Disclaimer: The information above is based on rumors, leaks, and industry reports. Apple has not officially confirmed the Mac mini M5, its specifications, pricing, or release date. Actual features and pricing may differ when the product is officially announced.
