Mac mini vs Mac Studio: How the desktops evaluate

Apple’s newest Mac mini with the M2 or M2 Professional chip means extra highly effective CPUs and GPUs, as much as 32GB RAM, as much as 3 exterior shows, 8K output by way of HDMI, WiFi 6E, and the bottom fashions are much more reasonably priced. The standalone desktop sits beneath the extra highly effective Mac Studio, making the lineup extra numerous. However is the Mac Studio overkill for most individuals with the Mac mini to contemplate? Right here’s an in-depth Mac mini vs Mac Studio comparability for a way every little thing shakes out.

After shifting from Intel to the M1 in 2020, Apple gave the Mac mini a giant refresh to start out 2023. The newest desktop has much more flexibility in the case of configurations and can cowl extra use instances than ever with the choice of selecting the M2 or M2 Professional chip.

The Mac Studio stays probably the most highly effective Apple Silicon Mac with both the M1 Max or M1 Extremely chip. Whether or not you’re available in the market for a brand new desktop Mac or are simply curious how every little thing compares, let’s dig in!

Mac mini vs Mac Studio: How do they evaluate?

CPU, GPU, reminiscence, neural engine

The M2 is a reasonable improve over the M1, however the M2 Professional brings a a lot higher vary of energy and functionality to the Mac mini – serving as a step up with out having to go all the best way to the Mac Studio.

Apple says the M2 has an as much as 18% quicker CPU and as much as 35% quicker GPU than the M1. M2 additionally provides as much as 24GB RAM, 50% extra reminiscence bandwidth, and a 40% quicker neural engine than M1.

For extra energy, Apple says the M2 Professional provides 20% quicker CPU and 30% quicker GPU efficiency than the M1 Professional. And the M2 Professional neural engine has seen a 40% velocity improve over its predecessor (observe: the M1 Professional was by no means accessible within the 2020 Mac mini).

You’ve bought as much as 12-core CPU and 19-core GPU choices with the M2 Professional plus as much as 32GB RAM.

And one other improve with the M2 Professional chip is devoted ProRes encode and decode engines.

The M1 Max and notably M1 Extremely bounce means past the M2 Professional with as much as a 20-core CPU, as much as 64-core GPU, 32-core neural engine, as much as 128GB RAM, and extra. Whereas these numbers could look engaging on paper, bear in mind you’ll have to have very intense workflows to utilize that energy.

I/O

Each the M2 Professional and M2 Mac mini get upgrades in the case of I/O. First, you’ve bought WiFi 6E and Bluetooth 5.3 on each builds.

Then the M2 Professional will get extra enhancements with double the Thunderbolt 4/USB 4 ports (4), help for as much as 3 exterior shows, and as much as 8K output by way of HDMI (presumably HDMI 2.1 however Apple doesn’t specify).

However as you’d count on, the extra highly effective Mac Studio stays with probably the most I/O. It provides two USB-C or Thunderbolt 4 ports on the entrance together with its SDXC UHS-II slot. The remainder (majority) of the I/O stays on the again.

Whereas it’s a bit behind with WiFi, Bluetooth, and no 8K video help, Mac Studio provides help for as much as 5 exterior shows and comes customary with 10Gb Ethernet.

Dimensions and coloration

The 2023 Mac mini is basically similar in dimension to its predecessor. The Mac Studio options the identical 7.7 x 7.7-inch width and depth because the mini however is about 2.5x taller at 3.7 inches.

Not that it issues as a desktop, however the M2 Professional is 0.2 kilos heavier than the M2 and M1 builds. And the Mac Studio is 2-3x heavier at 5.9 or 7.9 kilos for the M1 Max and M1 Extremely fashions.

Each Mac mini and Mac Studio can be found in a single coloration: silver.

What’s within the field

The one factor within the Mac mini or Mac Studio field is the pc and energy cable.

Apple after all provides its Studio Show as its personal exterior monitor. However there are additionally many nice options which might be cheaper:

You might also wish to decide up Apple’s Magic Keyboard and mouse or take a look at choices like Logitech’s standard MX Grasp lineup.

Mac mini vs Mac Studio: value

A pleasant shock with the brand new Mac mini, the bottom M2 configurations begin simply $599 – $100 lower than the M1 fashions.

Leaping as much as the M2 Professional Mac mini greater than doubles the beginning value of the M2 at $1,299 – however you’re getting much more energy and double the storage and RAM. Mac Studio with M1 Max begins at $1,999 and goes as much as $7,999 for customized configurations.

Mac mini vs Mac Studio wrap-up

The Mac mini with M2 or M2 Professional is a good replace is a really welcome replace. It provides flexibility to get (or construct) the Mac desktop you want with out having to step all the best way as much as the Mac Studio.

• For anybody with fundamental to medium-intensity workflows, the M2 Mac mini will probably be an ideal match with choices between 8 and 24GB of reminiscence and storage as much as 2TB.

• For these with extra intensive workflows like artistic professionals or aspiring artistic execs, prosumers, and comparable that don’t want a Mac Studio, the M2 Professional Mac mini ought to be an ideal match.

• I’d think about the Mac mini will probably be loads of energy for 95%+ of consumers. However in the event you frequently push your Mac with a number of video exports, different artistic work like 3D modeling, are working massive knowledge units, and many others., and likewise want that work to occur as quick as doable, the Mac Studio is there for you.

The M2 and M2 Professional Mac mini can be found from Apple, Amazon, Finest Purchase, and extra.

What do you consider the Mac mini and the way it compares with the Mac Studio? Share your ideas within the feedback!

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