Mac desktop · current · data 2026-10-15

Mac mini (M6) for local AI.

Name: Mac mini (M6)
Brand: Apple

With 32 GB it runs Qwen3.8 27B (needs 22.7 GB). 62 models fit.

Memory16 / 24 / 32 GB

Shared between CPU and graphics.

Bandwidth153 GB/s

Higher means faster answers. Spec page lists 153 GB/s and 170 GB/s for the 24GB/32GB configurations.

PriceFrom about $899

As of 2026-10-15. Check before buying.

Which models fit

By memory option.

Usable: 75% on Macs and shared-memory PCs, VRAM minus 1 GB on graphics cards (estimates).
Memory	Usable	Models that fit	Best three
16 GB	12 GB	38	K2 Horizon 7B (8.6 GB), Gemma 4 12B (11.2 GB), Qwen3.5 9B (9.6 GB)
24 GB	18 GB	45	K2 Horizon 7B (8.6 GB), Gemma 4 12B (11.2 GB), Qwen3.5 9B (9.6 GB)
32 GB	24 GB	62	Qwen3.8 27B (22.7 GB), Qwen3.5 27B (21.5 GB), Qwen3.6 27B (21.5 GB)

Speed

Published speeds.

Measured by others, with sources. Not our tests.

No published speed found yet.

Questions

Short answers.

What is the best local LLM for the Mac mini (M6)?: With 32 GB, Qwen3.8 27B (needs 22.7 GB, AA 33.7). 62 of 124 models fit. With 16 GB: K2 Horizon 7B.
How much does the Mac mini (M6) cost?: From about $899 (as of 2026-10-15). 2026 prices are inflated by the memory-chip shortage; check before buying.

Specs from Apple – Mac mini tech specs (2026-10-15). Prices are approximate and dated; 2026 prices are inflated by the memory-chip shortage.

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# Mac mini (M6) for local AI

URL: https://insidethemachine.ai/machines/mac-mini-m6
Type: Mac desktop. Chip: M6 (12-core CPU, 12-core GPU). Memory: unified, options 16, 24, 32 GB. Bandwidth: 153 GB/s (Spec page lists 153 GB/s and 170 GB/s for the 24GB/32GB configurations.). Spec source: https://www.apple.com/mac-mini/specs/ (2026-10-15).
Price: from about $899 (2026-10-15, approximate). Status: current.

## Which models fit

| memory GB | usable GB | models that fit | best 3 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 16 | 12 | 38 | K2 Horizon 7B (8.6 GB), Gemma 4 12B (11.2 GB), Qwen3.5 9B (9.6 GB) |
| 24 | 18 | 45 | K2 Horizon 7B (8.6 GB), Gemma 4 12B (11.2 GB), Qwen3.5 9B (9.6 GB) |
| 32 | 24 | 62 | Qwen3.8 27B (22.7 GB), Qwen3.5 27B (21.5 GB), Qwen3.6 27B (21.5 GB) |

## Published speeds

None found yet.

## Questions

**What is the best local LLM for the Mac mini (M6)?**
With 32 GB, Qwen3.8 27B (needs 22.7 GB, AA 33.7). 62 of 124 models fit. With 16 GB: K2 Horizon 7B.

**How much does the Mac mini (M6) cost?**
From about $899 (as of 2026-10-15). 2026 prices are inflated by the memory-chip shortage; check before buying.