Live Science Verdict
If you ’ve cause a monitor and accessories , the Mac Mini with M2 is an ideal scholarly person information processing system that ’s capable of more than computers twice its sizing .
Powerful M2 chip , with M2 Pro choice
Small enough to sit around on your desk
smooth enough not to be noticed
256 GB storage is down
deficiency of front - facing ports
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Leontyne Price : From $ 599/£649 for basic and from $ 1,299/£1,399 for the Pro version
Weight:2.6 lbs/1.18 kg
Memory:8 GB as standard , 16 Gi , 24 GB and 32 GB option
Storage:256 GB , 512 GB , 1 TB , 2 TB , 4 TB and 8 TB versions
Warranty:1 yr , extendable with AppleCare
Operating system : macOS Ventura ( macOS Sonoma compatible )
CPU : Apple M2 chip ( 8 - pith CPU , 10 - nub GPU , 16 - core Neural Engine )
computer graphic : M2 includes 10 - core GPU ( configurable with 16 - core GPU )
Ports:2x Thunderbolt 4 USB - nose candy , 2x USB - A , 3.5 mm headphone jack , Ethernet , HDMI
The Mac political platform has arguably never been in a better position since the rollout ofApple Silicon , but it ’s always been the laptops that take the plaudits . While the M1 Mac Mini and M1 iMac were big , only the former saw a hump up to the late consumer - level silicon chip , the M2 . That means the Mac Mini now offers its small form - factor with the M2 and M2 Pro chips as option , and it also catch a surprise price drop to $ 599/£649 at the low - end .
While not without its flaws , the Mac Mini is an easy recommendation for anyone forge on just about anything . It ’s got the exponent for complex tasks and multitasking that puts many Windows desktop to pity . So , while technically not a MacBook , we think that the Mac Mini M2 Pro is portable enough to be considered as an honorary honorable mention for ourbest MacBook for studentslist .
Mac Mini M2 Pro review: Set up & usability
As long as you ’ve got peripheral handy , the set up of the Mac Mini M2 Pro should take just any time at all .
Connect it up , off the great power release ( on the back corner ) and macOS will guide you through setup , with the option to import your configurations from another Mac , too .
Mac Mini M2 Pro review: Design & Specs
From the outside , it ’s hard to tell exactly what ’s changed from theMac Mini M1 . In fact , nothing has , stand for you ’re still looking at the same rounded - square design , with aluminum shell and the Apple logo in the middle .
The front and sides are likewise characterless ( we ’d have like at least one front - facing port , but you ’ll take the more expensiveMac Studiofor that ) , but on the back , you ’ll find an HDMI porthole , a pair of Thunderbolt 4 USB - C ports , two USB - A ports , a 3.5 mm phone diddlyshit and an Ethernet port . If you prefer for the M2 Pro version , you ’ll get an superfluous pair of Thunderbolt 4 ports , too .
In the box , you ’ll discover a ability cable length , and that ’s about it . This means that you ’ll take to supply your own proctor , keyboard and mouse for the Mac Mini . You may also want to see an extra hard drive or SSD , since in the base role model you ’ll only get 256 GB of storage which is very low unless you keep everything in the cloud .
Apple will charge you $ 200/£200 to double the storage , which is a portion considering you could hook up an external drive for potentially less . We will mention that the 8 GB of unified computer storage is self-colored enough , but we ’d opt for 16 GB if you’re able to – another $ 200/£200 .
Mac Mini M2 Pro review: Features & Performance
While the storage is low , we ’re pleased to report that we ’ve been throwing tasks at the Mac Mini M2 like it ’s nobody ’s business sector . Flicking between windows while running intensive games like Final Fantasy XIV Online , or cut images in Photoshop and Lightroom while checking emails and browsing the web ( in Chrome , no less ) has been quiet as butter .
The literal joy of the Mac Mini is that it runs mutely , no matter what you ask of it . It just power through , even when connected to two displays . The fan is running , but you ’ll have to get very close to really severalise .
We ’ve already mentioned the lack of front - face ports , but it feels like a freehanded miss fall in just how much scholar are likely to connect and disconnect peripherals . However , the regalia of rear - facing options sure enough helps for connectivity with tool like audio interfaces and South Dakota card readers .
In fact , we ’d argue that the Mac Mini , despite being Apple ’s cheapest machine , is now the best alternative for creatives that ca n’t ( or just do n’t want to ) spend those extra vaulting horse on a MacBook or Mac Studio . Editing audio in Logic is a breeze , as is slicing together an edit in something like iMovie .
Mac Mini M2 Pro review: Price
We ’ve already note the additional price of entrepot , but if you do have a redundant drive laying around , then that meld with the Qaeda model ( the Mac Mini M2 ) is an excellent computer with pricing start from$599/£649 .
Naturally , as you ramp up the specs things get pricier , and doubling RAM and SSD space will take you to close to the toll of the Mac Mini M2 Pro version which propose more mainframe and GPU grunt for$1,299/£1,399 .
That also find you an extra pair of ports , and there ’s an literary argument that opting for that would mean you wo n’t have to upgrade again for years . After all , once your Mac is built , you ’re ineffective to upgrade its division , so view what ’s best for your needs .
You ’ll also need to factor in the cost of a estimable keyboard and mouse combo , as well as a monitor and , potentially , a webcam .
Mac Mini M2 Pro review: User Reviews
reviewer of the Mac Mini M2 and Mac Mini M2 Pro on Amazon are certainly pleased , with an overall4.7 genius out of 5 ratingfrom 519 reviews . 85 % of those revue offering a full 5 - champion evaluation . It ’s deserving note , however , that this musical score is based on an uniting of reexamination for both the Mac Mini M2andthe Mac Mini M2 Pro .
Users were amazed at the Mac Mini ’s modest , sleek size and how powerful the M2 microprocessor chip could be . They find the Mac Mini M2 singular for the price as well ( mark the Pro is more expensive ) . There were firm suggestions that urged possible buyer to go for the mellow memory as sadly this is not something you may raise later on . drug user also lamented about the lack of ports .
Should you buy the Mac Mini M2 Pro?
If you ’ve already nonplus a monitor , keyboard , mouse and webcam , the Mac Mini M2 or the Mac Mini M2 Pro are both an excellent direction to start your macOS adventure . It ’s more affordable than it ’s been before , while also being more subject for everything from basic tasks to more power - intensive ones . This one bugger off a prominent up from us .
If this Mac Mini 2 isn’t for you
There is , of path , the lower costMac Mini M2 – while its eyeglasses are n’t quite as unspoiled as the M2 Pro , it ’s still a pretty enough mini computing gadget and at a more favorable damage distributor point too .
If you ’d like a portable Mac , the MacBook Air is an fantabulous choice that not only offers the M2 chip , but now comes inMacBook Air 13 - inchandMacBook atmosphere 15 - inchversions ( both of which are brilliant ) .
Or , if you want to get away the Apple ecosystem wholly , then theAceMagician AMR5 Mini PCis a mythological Windows alternative .
