Apple's compact Macs get a performance upgrade
The latest Installer newsletter highlights Apple's refreshed Mac Mini lineup, featuring the M6 and M5 Pro chips in a small form factor. It also covers a Nokia phone with reverse charging, a Wyze camera with a notable privacy feature, and a new Star Wars game. The newsletter is taking a break next week, returning in September.
Apple's refreshed Mac Mini arrives September 22nd with a $100 price increase over the prior generation, marking the first time the compact desktop has seen a notable jump in entry cost. The M6 and M5 Pro configurations target users who want serious performance without a full-size tower, while the Mac Studio also received an M5 Ultra upgrade for those needing even more power.
The newsletter's other highlights reflect broader gadget trends: HMD's Nokia 300 Charge revives the candybar form factor while adding reverse charging, and Wyze's Indoor Cam Pan includes a privacy mode that physically rotates the lens into the camera body. Garmin's Fenix 9 line pushes premium pricing with solar options, and Elden Ring's Switch 2 port finally arrives after delays.
This roundup signals how compact computing continues to mature, with Apple's price hike potentially testing consumer willingness to pay more for small-form-factor power. The Wyze privacy feature could influence expectations across the smart home industry, as physical lens shutters address growing surveillance concerns. Meanwhile, retro-style devices like the Nokia charging phone may appeal to users seeking digital detox options, suggesting a market for simpler, multi-purpose gadgets amid increasingly complex technology ecosystems.