Apple’s transition to the M5 era is officially underway — and it’s already shaping the next wave of AI-powered Macs. The company has rolled out a few select devices featuring the new M5 chip in 2025, showcasing faster performance, better efficiency, and a much stronger focus on on-device intelligence.
But what about Apple’s desktop lineup? If you’ve been holding off for a refreshed Mac mini or Mac Studio, the wait might not be long. Leaks and insider reports hint that both models are in active testing and could debut as early as 2026.
Apple’s M5 Lineup: What’s Official So Far
The M5 chip represents the biggest leap in Apple Silicon since the original M1. Built on TSMC’s third-generation 3-nanometer process, M5 delivers stronger performance and better AI acceleration — all while maintaining Apple’s hallmark efficiency.
So far, these are the devices confirmed to ship with M5 as of October 2025:
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14-inch MacBook Pro (M5) – Apple’s October 2025 refresh introduced the M5 chip to its entry-level Pro notebook, bringing a 10-core CPU, a redesigned 10-core GPU, and per-core Neural Accelerators.
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iPad Pro (M5) – Apple’s flagship tablet has again been the first to adopt the newest chip generation, setting a benchmark for creative and AI workloads.
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Vision Vision Pro (M5 update) – Reports indicate that Apple’s next Vision Pro iteration will use the M5 to deliver faster spatial computing performance.
According to Apple, the M5 delivers up to 15% faster CPU speeds and 45% better GPU performance compared to M4, alongside a 153 GB/s unified memory bandwidth — a major uplift for multitasking and media-heavy workflows.
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What to Expect from the M5 Mac mini
Apple's M5 Mac mini is poised to be a significant upgrade over its M4 predecessor, incorporating advancements in performance, connectivity, and AI capabilities. Here's a comprehensive look at the expected features:
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Model identifier “J873s” is likely linked to a Mac mini version with an M5 Pro chip.
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No major design changes are expected for the Mac mini M5 — the 2024 redesign (with smaller footprint) is likely to be retained.
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The M5 chip itself features a 10-core CPU (4 performance + 6 efficiency cores) and 10-core GPU in its base version, built on TSMC’s third-generation 3 nm process.
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The M5 chip's improved Neural Engine is expected to deliver enhanced machine learning capabilities, resulting in better performance for AI-driven tasks.
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The M5 chip supports unified memory bandwidth of ~153 GB/s (≈30% increase vs M4) and up to ~32 GB unified memory in its base variant.
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The Mac mini M5 is expected to arrive in early 2026 (though some rumors suggest late 2025) rather than immediately in 2025
Mac Studio M5: Rumors & Expectations
After Apple’s M4 Max and M3 Ultra-powered Mac Studio models in 2025, the next major update is already on the horizon. According to multiple credible sources, the Mac Studio M5 could redefine Apple’s compact powerhouse lineup once again — possibly arriving in spring 2026.
What We Know So Far
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Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman reports that Apple is already testing M5-series chips across several Mac models. It will likely feature the next-gen chip variants in the M5 family — such as M5 Pro and M5 Max — rather than just the base M5.
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The unified memory bandwidth baseline (for the base M5) is about 153 GB/s, so higher end M5 variants in Mac Studio may exceed this.
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Design changes are predicted to be minimal externally (same chassis as current Mac Studio), with most improvements under the hood (chip, thermals, I/O).
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Release timing is expected to be mid to late 2026 for the Mac Studio M5 line, following earlier M5-chip Mac launches.
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ZEERA MacForge Gen2 for Mac mini M4: Adds a dedicated SSD slot, improved ventilation, and a seamless, screw-free look, turning your Mac mini into a compact powerhouse.
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ZEERA Mac Studio M3 Ultra/M4 MaxAluminum Case: Optimized for professional workflows, it enhances airflow and keeps your machine cooler during intensive tasks, all while preserving the elegant aluminum finish Apple users love.
Final Thoughts
With the M5 generation, Apple is clearly doubling down on efficiency, performance, and AI acceleration across its Mac lineup. The Mac mini M5 looks set to bring flagship performance to the compact form factor, while the Mac Studio M5 will push Apple Silicon closer to workstation-level power.
Both are expected to arrive in 2026, marking the next major milestone in Apple’s desktop roadmap.
If you’re holding out for a desktop upgrade — whether you’re a developer, designer, or video creator — the M5 cycle might be the one worth waiting for.
