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The most recent iteration of the Mac Mini, the M2, which can be purchased from Amazon, is a beast. You can now obtain a Mac Mini with a chip that is on par with the Pro models for the first time, and the base model is $100 less expensive than the late M1 Mac Mini. If you are looking for a basic, tiny solution that can fit on your desk or your home entertainment console without standing out like the conventional desktop tower PC, then this is one of the best personal computers, or PCs, that you can acquire.
The new Mac Mini is not as versatile as a tower PC, and its processor is not up to par with the most recent desktop processors from Intel and AMD; however, it is still an excellent mini computer that can be purchased for $600 and is designed for people who are looking for something that is somewhat more powerful than your typical low-cost laptop without sacrificing style or ease of use.
Apple Mac Mini M2 Specifications
An in-depth look at the latest iteration of Apple’s popular desktop computer can be found in the review of the Apple Mac Mini M2. This review will help you determine if the Mac Mini M2 is the best computer for you by discussing its performance, features, and value.
| Specification | Details |
|---|---|
| RAM | 16GB Memory |
| Storage | 256GB SSD |
| Weight | 4.38 lbs |
| Size | 10 x 9.75 x 4.75 inches |
| Warranty | 1-year limited warranty |
| Link | Check Price |
Apple Mac Mini M2: Design
The Mac mini M2’s design is nearly identical to the Mac mini M1’s. The compact Mac mini M2 weighs in at about 4.38 lbs and has dimensions of 10 x 9.75 x 4.75 inches. It sports a sleek design with rounded corners and an aluminum chassis in silver and black. We appreciate how it looks like an Apple logo made of metal protruding from your desk.
Like its predecessor, the Mac mini M2 has an elevated base that gradually tapers down from the rounded rectangular chassis to a round black plastic disc that covers the bottom, giving the illusion that the computer is floating slightly above your desk. Don’t bother trying to open the case or install a third-party upgrade; Apple intended for only their own technicians to service these devices.
Apple Mac Mini M2: Ports
It has a good variety of ports, however they are all located on the back of the device, which makes it more difficult to access them in order to do things like plug in USB flash drives. There is ethernet, HDMI 2.1, two USB-A ports, and either two or four Thunderbolt 4/USB 4 connectors, depending on the version. Headphone jacks are also included.
You are able to connect up to two monitors at once to the M2, and you are able to connect up to three monitors at once to the M2 Pro. This is more than adequate for even the most intricate desk arrangements.
Apple Mac Mini M2: Performance
The M1 Mac Mini’s speed was the device’s crowning achievement. The M2 Mini is an improvement over the M1 Mini, although not to the same degree that the M1 Mini was an improvement over Intel-based Mac Minis. Using the widely-respected Geekbench 5 benchmark, we were able to determine that the M2 has a single-core performance roughly 10% higher than the M1, and a multi-core performance about 22% higher.
The way the system actually feels to the user is more essential than numbers like this, which are wonderful for quantifying speed improvements. To that aim, I’ll point out that using the M2 to do a job was noticeably and consistently better than using the older, otherwise identical M1 model.
Final Words
When put through its paces, the Mac mini M2 proves to be a solid recommendation. If you’re searching for a compact Mac desktop, the new base model is your best bet because it’s faster and cheaper than the previous iteration. In addition, the inclusion of an M2 Pro chip is a welcome upgrade option that has the potential to transform this PC into a respectable gaming rig. It’s not as powerful as the top gaming PCs, but it’s cheaper, takes up less space, and makes less noise. The lack of official macOS support for many games is the primary factor preventing the Mac mini M2 from being an excellent gaming computer, rather than the technology itself.
Apple Mac Mini M2 review: The good and The bad
The base model Mac Mini is undoubtedly the finest value computer on the market right now due to its excellent power and astonishingly low price.
The Good
- Tiny chassis
- Good for productivity
The Bad
- Port selection for base models
Questions and Answers
When you add in all the different kinds of memory and storage, you have a wide range of configurations and speeds to choose from, making it suitable for a wide range of prices. It’s a little bigger than its small counterpart, and either the M1 Max or M1 Ultra Processor gives you top-notch performance.
If you’re trying to decide between the M2 Mac Mini and the M1 Mac Mini and whether you should update, the answer is a resounding yes. Even if you just want to update a Mac Mini that you use as a home server, this is still true.