Mac mini (2023)

Apple has maximized the potential of its mini

-  MATT HANSON

Features M2 chip with 8-core CPU, 10-core GPU, 8GB of unified memory (16GB/24GB available), 256GB storage (512GB/1TB/2TB available), two Thunderbolt 4 ports, 2.6lbs; M2 Pro chip with 10-core CPU, 16-core GPU (12-core CPU, 19-core GPU available), 16GB of unified memory (32GB available), 512GB storage (1TB/2TB/4TB/8TB available), four Thunderbolt 4 ports, 2.8lbs; HDMI port, Gigabit Ethernet port (10Gb Ethernet available), 3.5mm headphone jack, Wi-Fi 6E (802.11ax), Bluetooth 5.3, built-in speaker, 1.41in x 7.75in x 7.75in

THE MAC MINI with an M1 chip arrived in 2020, and nearly three years down the line Apple has released a new version featuring both the "entry-level" M2 chip and the even more powerful M2 Pro chip. Although the M2 chip is by no means a slouch - in our testing it was noticeably faster than its entry-level M1 predecessor - the option of the M2 Pro chip offers users the flexibility to dip their toes into power-user capabilities, without the bulk (or cost) of a Mac Studio. The base Mac Studio with M1 Max is still faster, and the main limiting factor with the Mac mini is the memory cap at 32GB versus the Studio's 128GB.

The design remains virtually identical to the 2020 model, which isn't exactly a bad thing - it's compact enough to allow it to be hidden away unnoticed, if you want. On show, it looks unassuming, but the metal case with large Apple logo on top oozes quality. Dimensionally it's also the same size and weight of the M2 version, though the M2 Pro is slightly heavier at 2.8lbs versus 2.6lbs.

Unusually, for Apple, the new Mac mini is not only not more expensive than the 2020 model, it's actually cheaper - $100 cheaper when you compare the base model with M2, which makes it incredible value for money.

MORE MAXI THAN MINI