Apple has finally upgraded its Mac mini series with new M2 processors and pulled the extremely outdated Intel model from the store. That means there are now two Apple silicon models to choose from: a base model with an M2 chip and a more expensive option with an M2 Pro processor. Here’s how the two models compare.
M2 Mac mini vs M2 Pro Mac mini: specs
| Mac mini (M2) | Mac mini (M2 Pro) | |
|---|---|---|
| processor | 8 core CPU, 10 core GPU | 10-core or 12-core CPU, 16-core or 19-core GPU |
| Memory | 8GB/16GB/24GB | 16GB/32GB |
| Storage | 256GB/512GB/1TB/2TB | 512GB/1TB/2TB/4TB/8TB |
| Display | Dual display support | Support for three displays |
| Audio | Loudspeaker, 3.5mm headphone jack with advanced support for hi-impedance headphones | Loudspeaker, 3.5mm headphone jack with advanced support for hi-impedance headphones |
| Keyboard | Not included | Not included |
| Trackpad/mouse | Not included | Not included |
| Wi-Fi | Wi-Fi 6E | Wi-Fi 6E |
| bluetooth | 5.3 | 5.3 |
| ports | Two Thunderbolt 4 ports, two USB-A ports, HDMI 2.0 port, Gigabit or 10Gb Ethernet | Four Thunderbolt 4 ports, two USB-A ports, HDMI 2.0 port, Gigabit or 10Gb Ethernet |
| Dimensions | 197mm x 197mm x 36mm | 197mm x 197mm x 36mm |
| Weight | 2.6 lbs | 2.8 lbs |
M2 Mac mini vs M2 Pro Mac mini: design
On the outside, Apple hasn’t messed with the winning formula that has kept the Mac mini in good shape for so long. If you’ve seen one before, you’ll recognize the new models right away, although you may find it hard to tell them apart. The dimensions of both models are identical, with the aluminum chassis in a silver livery measuring 197mm x 197mm x 36mm, although the Pro version is slightly heavier, not that you’ll be carrying either mini as much.
Flipping the machines over reveals the rear port area where you can see the initial differences, but we’ll discuss that in more detail below. Of course, since these are minis, you won’t find a monitor, keyboard, or mouse/trackpad in the box, so you’ll have to fend for yourself.
Apple
M2 Mac mini vs M2 Pro Mac mini: Processor
Of course, as the names of the devices suggest, the main difference between the two M2 Mac minis is the silicon powering them. We’ve already seen the M2 in the MacBook Air M2 and the 13-inch MacBook Pro M2, so it was inevitable that it made its way onto the Mac mini platform. But the M2 Pro is a new chip unveiled by Apple alongside the M2 Max found in the more expensive MacBook Pros.
The M2 itself has an 8-core CPU split between four performance cores and four efficiency cores. There’s also a 10-core GPU, 16-core Neural Engine, and 100 GB/s memory bandwidth. The media engine is the same as in the M1 Pro, with hardware acceleration for H.264, HEVC, ProRes and ProRes Raw, along with a ProRes encoding and decoding engine.
With the M2 Pro, you get up to 10 or 12 CPU cores (six or eight performance and eight efficiency), a 16-core or 19-core GPU, 16-core neural engine, and 200GB/s memory bandwidth, twice that of the standard M2. In our tests, the M2 chip is about 20 percent faster than the M1, and the M2 Pro is about 20 percent faster than the M1 Pro, so the differences between the chips are about the same as the previous generation. On the graphics side, both chips are about 30 percent faster than their respective predecessors.
M2 Mac mini vs M2 Pro Mac mini: Memory and storage
On the base models, the M2 mini comes with 8 GB of memory and 256 GB of storage. The standard configuration of the M2 Pro starts with double that of the M2: 16 GB of RAM and 512 GB of storage. These can be increased at point of sale, with the M2 going up to 24GB of memory and 2TB of storage, and the M2 Pro having a higher maximum configuration with 32GB of RAM and up to 8TB of storage. Obviously, these all come with some serious pricing – the M2 Pro can go up to $4,000 – but you’ll need to make your decision when you buy your mini, as it’s non-upgradable.
M2 Mac mini vs M2 Pro Mac mini: Ports and connectivity
The Mac mini M2 is equipped with two Thunderbolt 4/USB 4 ports, while the M2 Pro gets four Thunderbolt 4/USB 4 ports. Furthermore, they both have two USB-A ports, HDMI and Gigabit Ethernet. You’ll also find a built-in speaker and a 3.5mm headphone jack with advanced support for high-impedance headphones, and both have Wi-Fi 6E (802.11ax) and Bluetooth 5.3.
It’s worth noting, however, that both devices support the simultaneous use of multiple monitors, with the M2 capable of handling two displays (6K at 60 Hz and 5K at 60 Hz via Thunderbolt) and the M2 Pro going up to three (two 6K at 60 Hz via Thunderbolt and one 4K at 60 Hz via HDMI). The M2 Pro Mac mini’s HDMI 21 port can also use a single display with up to 8K resolution at 60 Hz or 4K resolution at 240 Hz.
Apple
M2 Mac mini vs M2 Pro Mac mini: Price and availability
The new Mac mini is available at the following prices:
- Mac mini M2 (8GB/256GB) – $599/£649
- Mac mini M2 (8GB/512GB) – $799/£849
- Mac mini M2 Pro (16GB/512GB) – $1,299/£1,399
If you do the math, that’s more than twice as much for the M2 Pro Mac mini. And made-to-order options quickly add up, with the more expensive M2 Pro costing $400//£400, each 8GB memory increase costing you $200/£200, and additional storage costing $200/£200 per 512GB .
M2 Mac mini vs M2 Pro Mac mini: Our recommendation
It’s a pretty straightforward choice between these two powerful new additions to the mini platform. If you want a basic desktop Mac for home or general computing, the M2 Mac mini is a perfect machine for $599. The M2 chip is powerful enough for most people and even some professionals. But if you want a high-end chip, but not the fastest chip, then the entry-level M2 Pro Mac mini is a powerful machine. Be careful with upgrades as it may be more economical to buy a Mac Studio or a MacBook Pro if you’re upgrading more than the storage.
