Apple Inc. is preparing to release an updated version of its Mac mini desktop computer, marking the first refresh of the product line in nearly two years, according to sources familiar with the matter.

The new desktop is expected to debut within the coming days, which could place its unveiling ahead of a September event planned for the next iPhone lineup, said the sources, who requested anonymity because the plans are not yet public. Apple has been testing versions equipped with both the M5 and M6 generations of its processor family.

This upgrade comes amid surging demand for the current Mac mini, which has gained popularity as a device for running artificial intelligence applications locally. Meanwhile, shortages of memory chips have made it increasingly difficult for Apple to maintain adequate inventory of the product.

A spokesperson for the Cupertino, California-based company declined to comment on the matter.

The updated machine is part of a broader wave of new products slated for the second half of this year. Later this week, Apple is expected to send out invitations for its iPhone launch presentation. That event, likely scheduled for Sept. 9, will showcase the company's first foldable smartphone along with the iPhone 18 Pro series.

Additionally, Apple is preparing a lineup of new Apple Watches featuring minor enhancements, including improved fitness tracking and a ceramic-case option for Series 12 models. The company also plans to introduce fresh AirPods as early as the September product launch event.

The rollout will include new AirPods 5, an update to Apple's entry-level earbuds, the sources said. That model was last refreshed in 2024. A camera-equipped version of the AirPods, however, is not anticipated until next year.

Apple is also on track to debut its first-ever smart home device with a screen this year. The product will utilize facial recognition to identify users and display personalized content. The company is additionally readying a new Apple TV set-top box and HomePod mini smart speaker.

Other new products this year include a revamped iPad mini featuring an OLED screen. That technology, short for organic light-emitting diode, delivers a sharper picture than the tablet previously offered and aligns it more closely with premium iPad models. The new model is due to arrive by the end of October.

Additional Macs are also in the pipeline, though they are likely to arrive later. This includes an iMac with new color options, as well as a refreshed entry-level MacBook Pro. These models will utilize M6 chips, the upcoming generation of processors.

The most significant Mac introduction in development will be Apple's first touch-screen computer. The company will integrate that capability into new MacBook Pro models, available in 14-inch and 16-inch sizes, which will also feature redesigned casings and OLED displays.

The Mac mini will likely be the final new product launched under the leadership of Chief Executive Officer Tim Cook, who is passing the reins to John Ternus on Sept. 1. Ternus will oversee the rollout of the foldable iPhone and other major new products in the company's development pipeline.

Looking ahead to 2027, Apple is planning updates to the entry-level iPad and iPad Air; new MacBook Air and MacBook Neo models; second-generation versions of the touch MacBooks using chips from the upcoming M7 series; a second-generation foldable iPhone; and an iPhone with curved glass to commemorate the device's 20-year anniversary.

The company is also planning a push into AI wearables, starting with the camera-equipped AirPods. As part of that initiative, Apple aims to introduce smart glasses that would place it in competition with Meta Platforms Inc. Additionally, the company has been testing a pendant with cameras that can feed visual data into iPhones for AI processing.

The Mac mini has been a significant challenge for Apple's supply chain in recent months, with customer deliveries taking weeks or even months to complete. Cook acknowledged that the issue would take time to resolve, and it remains unclear how the new model will impact wait times.

The computer is also central to Apple's commitment to expanding domestic manufacturing. Earlier this year, Apple pledged to begin producing the Mac mini in Houston later in 2026. Cook toured the facility this month alongside officials from the Trump administration, which has prioritized domestic production as a key policy objective.

The company had previously assembled the Mac Pro in the US, but that model was discontinued earlier this year.