Apple Mac mini with M6 — 12-core CPU, 24GB, 256GB SSD and 10Gb Ethernet
M6 12-core CPU12-core GPU24GB · 256GB SSD10Gb Ethernet
The Apple Mac mini with M6 (configure-to-order build Z1UA-IN17) is a compact 12.7 cm desktop with a 12-core CPU, 12-core GPU, 24GB of unified memory and a 256GB SSD, configured with the factory 10Gb Ethernet port instead of the standard 2.5Gb. It is a network-first Mac: plenty of memory for demanding apps, a fast wired link to a NAS or server, and a small internal drive for macOS and applications only. It suits studios, developers and offices whose files already live on shared storage. The 24GB memory option also raises memory bandwidth to 170GB/s.
Around the back there are three Thunderbolt 4 ports, HDMI and the 10Gb RJ45 port; the front adds two USB-C ports and a headphone jack. It drives up to three external displays and connects wirelessly over Wi-Fi 7 and Bluetooth 6 through Apple's N1 chip. There is no screen, keyboard or mouse in the box — you use your own or add them with the order.
Before you order: This is a configure-to-order build. Memory, storage and the Ethernet option are fixed at the factory and cannot be upgraded later. 256GB is the smallest storage option — it suits a machine whose data lives on a NAS or server, not a local media library.
What's in the Box
- Mac mini (Apple M6, 24GB unified memory, 256GB SSD, 10Gb Ethernet)
- Power cord (1.8 m) — the power supply is built into the Mac mini, there is no external power brick
- No display, keyboard, mouse or peripheral cables are included
What It Means in Practice
- The 10Gb Ethernet port negotiates 1, 2.5, 5 or 10Gb/s (Nbase-T). With a 10GbE switch or NAS port and suitable cabling (Cat6A recommended for longer runs), opening and saving large files on the network feels close to working from a local drive. On an ordinary gigabit switch it simply runs at 1Gb/s.
- 256GB holds macOS and your apps with room for current working files, but not a large photo or video library. Keep projects on a NAS over the 10Gb link, or add an external Thunderbolt SSD.
- 24GB of unified memory (170GB/s) keeps Lightroom and Photoshop, Xcode, browsers with dozens of tabs, Teams and several apps open together without slowing down — the right amount for a Mac you keep for years.
- The 12-core CPU combines 2 super cores, 4 performance cores and 6 efficiency cores, and the Mac mini idles at about 5 dBA — quiet enough for an office desk or a small server shelf.
- Up to three external displays: two at up to 6K 60Hz or 4K 165Hz plus a third at up to 5K 60Hz over Thunderbolt or 4K 60Hz over HDMI. The Thunderbolt 4 ports run up to 40Gb/s; the front USB-C ports are USB 3 at up to 10Gb/s.
What Will Not Work
- 10Gb/s is not reachable through a gigabit switch, a powerline adapter or Wi-Fi — the whole path (switch port, cabling and NAS) must be 10GbE.
- Windows does not run natively — there is no Boot Camp on Apple silicon Macs. Windows on Arm runs only in virtualisation software such as Parallels Desktop, and some x86 drivers and anti-cheat games will not run.
- Memory cannot be added later, and the internal SSD is not a standard M.2 drive — an off-the-shelf NVMe SSD will not fit. External GPU (eGPU) enclosures are not supported.
- The ports are Thunderbolt 4 (40Gb/s), not Thunderbolt 5; the HDMI port drives a third screen only at up to 4K 60Hz.
Key Features
Apple M6 chip
12-core CPU (2 super cores, 4 performance cores, 6 efficiency cores), 12-core GPU with Neural Accelerators and hardware-accelerated ray tracing, and Apple's dual 16-core Neural Engine.
Factory 10Gb Ethernet
Nbase-T port (1/2.5/5/10Gb/s) in place of the standard 2.5Gb — fast access to NAS, servers and shared storage.
24GB at 170GB/s
The 24GB option runs at 170GB/s memory bandwidth (16GB configurations at 153GB/s) — headroom for creative apps and multitasking.
Small and quiet
5 x 12.7 x 12.7 cm, 0.67 kg, internal power supply and about 5 dBA at idle, with Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth 6 and Thread via the Apple N1 chip.
Technical Specifications
| Identification |
| Part Number |
Z1UA-IN17 |
| Base configuration |
MHQK4 (Mac mini M6) — configured with 24GB and 10Gb Ethernet |
| EAN / GTIN |
Configure-to-order build — no retail EAN |
| Brand |
Apple |
| Model |
Mac mini (M6) |
| Processor |
| Chip |
Apple M6 |
| CPU |
12-core (2 super cores, 4 performance cores, 6 efficiency cores) |
| GPU |
12-core, Neural Accelerators, hardware-accelerated ray tracing |
| Neural Engine |
Dual 16-core |
| Memory bandwidth |
170GB/s (24GB configuration) |
| Memory & Storage |
| Unified memory |
24GB (not upgradeable after purchase) |
| Storage |
256GB SSD |
| Ports |
| Back |
3x Thunderbolt 4 (USB-C): Thunderbolt 4 up to 40Gb/s, USB4 up to 40Gb/s, DisplayPort |
| HDMI |
1x HDMI with multichannel audio output |
| Ethernet |
10Gb Ethernet (Nbase-T, RJ45) |
| Front |
2x USB-C (USB 3, up to 10Gb/s) · 3.5mm headphone jack with high-impedance headphone support |
| Display support |
| External displays |
Up to 3 (up to two over a single Thunderbolt port) |
| Three displays |
Two up to 6K 60Hz or 4K 165Hz + one up to 5K 60Hz (Thunderbolt) or 4K 60Hz (HDMI) |
| Two displays |
One up to 8K 60Hz, 5K 120Hz or 4K 240Hz + one up to 5K 60Hz (Thunderbolt) or 4K 60Hz (HDMI) |
| Wireless & Audio |
| Wireless |
Apple N1: Wi-Fi 7 (802.11be), Bluetooth 6, Thread |
| Audio |
Built-in speaker |
| Physical |
| Dimensions (H x W x D) |
5.0 x 12.7 x 12.7 cm |
| Weight |
0.67 kg |
| Colour |
Silver |
| Power |
100–240V AC, 155W maximum continuous |
| Operating temperature |
10–35°C |
| Operating system |
macOS |
| Warranty |
| Warranty |
1-Year Warranty (Singular) |
| Manufacturer Term |
Apple One-Year Limited Warranty — claims handled through Singular |
Frequently Asked Questions
Why 24GB and 10Gb Ethernet with only 256GB?
Because the data lives on the network. With a 10GbE NAS or server, large files open almost as fast as from an internal SSD, so the small drive only holds macOS and apps — while 24GB keeps the apps themselves fast. If you keep files locally, choose more storage instead.
Do I need a 10Gb switch?
Only to reach 10Gb/s. The port also runs at 1, 2.5 and 5Gb/s, so it works on any existing network; the upgrade pays off with a 10GbE NAS, a 10GbE switch port or a direct cable to another 10GbE machine.
24GB or the 16GB version?
24GB is the better choice for Lightroom, Photoshop, development and many open apps, and it raises memory bandwidth to 170GB/s. For office, web and automation roles, the 16GB / 256GB 10Gb build costs less. Memory cannot be added later.
Singular Expert Insight · Buyer's Guide
This is the network-first Mac mini with enough memory for creative and development work: small internal storage, 24GB of memory and a fast 10Gb wired link. It makes sense when your files already sit on shared storage — pair it with a 10GbE unit from our
NAS and storage appliances range and a 10GbE switch port. If the Mac will hold its own data, a 512GB or 1TB build gives better value.
✓ Buy it if your files live on a 10GbE NAS or server and you want a quiet Mac with 24GB for photo, design, development or office work.
✕ Skip it if you keep photos, video or projects locally, use only a gigabit network, or need heavy video/3D performance (M5 Pro).
→ Also consider the 24GB / 512GB or 1TB 10Gb builds for more local storage, the 16GB / 256GB 10Gb build for lighter tasks, or the M5 Pro Mac mini with 10Gb Ethernet for video and 3D.
Need a different configuration or a 10GbE switch and NAS to match? Tell us your setup and we will quote the exact Apple build and network gear.