Apple is reportedly preparing the next wave of Mac Mini with M5 processors, marking a major shift in the company’s compact desktop line. According to Apple Insider, internal testing is already underway on two variants: J873g, which carries the standard M5, and J873s, powered by the beefier M5 Pro.
This upgrade arrives after the Mac Mini skipped both the M3 and M3 Pro entirely, leaving users with last year’s M4-based machine. That model, known for its sleek redesign and energy efficiency, earned praise but didn’t push performance forward in the way many expected. The leap to M5 aims to correct that.
Mac Mini with M5 Pro promises big internal upgrades
Physically, the new Mac Mini will likely keep the same footprint introduced with the M4 chassis. Under the hood, though, the changes are expected to be far more dramatic. Reports suggest the M5 Pro will deliver a more advanced GPU, a faster neural engine built for Apple’s on-device AI features, and higher performance across the board.
With these moves, Apple appears ready to sharpen its edge in both professional and consumer workloads where raw power is becoming just as important as efficiency.
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AMD Strix Halo puts pressure on Apple
This rumored launch also puts Apple in direct competition with AMD’s Strix Halo APUs. These processors, which fuse Zen 5 CPU cores with RDNA 3+ integrated graphics, have already been turning heads in the Windows mini-PC space. AMD has even claimed that Strix Halo can rival discrete GPUs like the RTX 4060 in certain tasks, setting a high bar for compact computing.
For Apple, the M5’s rumored GPU upgrades will be crucial in closing the gap. Reports suggest it may even use 3D stacking techniques.
How Mac Mini with M5 could shift the market
Both sides have distinct advantages. Apple leans on macOS integration, Apple silicon’s efficiency, and a polished ecosystem. AMD pushes raw gaming strength and the flexibility of Windows and Linux environments. For consumers, the competition means better machines no matter which camp they favor.
Key points shaping the next battle:
- M5 and M5 Pro expected to deliver GPU and AI performance boosts
- AMD Strix Halo already rivals midrange GPUs in small form factors
- Apple skipped M3, raising stakes for its M5 debut
- Possible late 2025 or early 2026 launch timeframe
Waiting for Apple’s move
The exact release date remains unconfirmed, but most leaks point to the end of 2025 or the start of 2026. If the reports prove accurate, the new Mac Mini could mark one of Apple’s most competitive pushes against AMD yet.
The stage is set: sleek macOS polish on one side, raw Strix Halo firepower on the other. Consumers will be the ones cashing in.
