Apple's Mac Mini and Mac Studio have quickly become essential tools in the AI sector, with certain configurations increasingly hard to find on the market. This Tuesday, the company launched updated versions of these compact desktops, delivering a performance boost tailored for AI developers.

The Mac Mini has won over AI enthusiasts and engineers thanks to its accessible price point and its ability to run without a connected display. Developers can leverage it to operate AI agents for various tasks, managing everything remotely from their phones or laptops. Similarly, the Mac Studio has attracted a large base of headless users who rely on its powerful chip performance.

The new Mac Mini is specifically designed to lure in AI developers. It offers a choice between the brand-new M6 chip or the M5 Pro processor; the M6 model supports up to 32GB of memory, while the M5 Pro version can be configured with up to 64GB. On the other hand, the Mac Studio is equipped with the M5 Max and the all-new M5 Ultra processors. Apple has promised a significant leap in overall AI performance for both devices, along with enhanced gaming and video editing capabilities.

In 2025, Apple's Mac business generated $33.7 billion in revenue, ranking as the company's fourth-largest income segment. The iPhone, Apple's biggest operation, contributed $209.5 billion to the company's total revenue of $416.1 billion.

Apple (AAPL) closed at $310.34, up $0.99 (+0.32%) as of 4:00:01 PM ET, with pre-market trading at $311.08, up $0.74 (+0.24%).

Like other tech firms, Apple is grappling with a global shortage of memory and storage chips driven by the AI boom. This has prompted the iPhone maker to raise prices on several Mac and iPad models, with expectations that the upcoming iPhone 18 will also see a price hike. Following the adjustments, the Mac Mini's starting price has climbed from $799 to $899, while the M5 Pro version starts at $1,699, up from $1,599 for its predecessor M4 Pro model. The base Mac Studio retains its $2,499 starting price, but the M5 Ultra variant is now priced at $5,499, compared to $5,299 for the previous M4 Ultra edition.

Demand for the current generation of Mac Mini and Mac Studio remains exceptionally strong. As of Monday, ordering a base Mac Mini means waiting over a month for delivery, and the Mac Studio's lead time stretches even longer, with a 10 to 12 week wait for arrival.