Apple debuted its latest Mac mini powered by the M2 or new M2 Pro custom silicon in early 2023. Along with more powerful CPUs and GPUs, the new Mac mini machines support up to 32GB RAM, up to 3 external displays, 8K output via HDMI, WiFi 6E, and the base models even start at a more affordable price. Read on for our in-depth M2 Mac mini comparison for how everything stacks up against its predecessor.
After moving from Intel to the M1 in 2020, Apple gave the Mac mini a big refresh to kick off 2023. The latest desktop has much more range when it comes to configurations and will cover more use cases with the option of picking the M2 or M2 Pro chip. Let’s dig in!
Table of contents
Mac mini comparison: M2 and M2 Pro vs M1
CPU, GPU, memory, neural engine
The M2 is a moderate upgrade over the M1, but the M2 Pro brings a much greater range of power and capability to the Mac mini – serving as a step up without having to go all the way to the Mac Studio.
| M2 Pro Mac mini | M2 Mac mini | M1 Mac mini | |
| Processor | Up to 12-core | 8-core | 8-core |
| Graphics | Up to 19-core | 10-core | 8-core |
| Storage | Up to 8TB | Up to 2TB | Up to 2TB |
| RAM | Up to 32GB | Up to 24GB | Up to 16GB |
| Neural engine | 16-core | 16-core | 16-core |
Apple says the M2 has an up to 18% faster CPU and up to 35% faster GPU than the M1. M2 also offers up to 24GB RAM, 50% more memory bandwidth, and a 40% faster neural engine than M1.
For more power, Apple says the M2 Pro gives 20% faster CPU and 30% faster GPU performance than the M1 Pro. And the M2 Pro neural engine has seen a 40% speed increase over its predecessor (note: the M1 Pro was never available in the 2020 Mac mini).
You’ve got up to 12-core CPU and 19-core GPU options with the M2 Pro plus up to 32GB RAM.
And another upgrade with the M2 Pro chip is dedicated ProRes encode and decode engines.
I/O
Both the M2 Pro and M2 Mac mini get upgrades when it comes to I/O. First, you’ve got WiFi 6E and Bluetooth 5.3 on both builds.
Then the M2 Pro gets more improvements with double the Thunderbolt 4/USB 4 ports (4), support for up to 3 external displays, and up to 8K output via HDMI (presumably HDMI 2.1 but Apple doesn’t specify).
| M2 Pro Mac mini | M2 Mac mini | M1 Mac mini | |
| USB-C/Thunderbolt ports (up to 40 Gbps) | 4 | 2 | 2 |
| USB-A ports (up to 5 Gbps) | 2 | 2 | 2 |
| HDMI | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ |
| Bluetooth | 5.3 | 5.3 | 5.0 |
| 3.5 headphone jack | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ |
| Wi-Fi | Wi-Fi 6E (802.11ax) | Wi-Fi 6E (802.11.ax) | Wi-Fi 6 (802.11.ax) |
| Ethernet | Gigabit or config to 10Gb | Gigabit or config to 10Gb | Gigabit or config to 10Gb |
| External display support | Up to 3 external displays: 2 up to 6K/60Hz with Thunderbolt, 1 up to 4K/60Hz over HDMI Or 1 display at 8K/60Hz, or 1 display at 4K/240Hz over HDMI | Up to 2 displays: 1 up to 6K/60Hz over Thunderbolt and 1 up to 4K/60Hz over HDMI | Up to 2 displays: 1 up to 6K/60Hz over Thunderbolt and 1 up to 4K/60Hz over HDMI |
Dimensions and color
Dimensions are more or less identical and silver remains the only color offered. Interestingly, Apple’s website shows the silver for the M2 Mac mini as a touch lighter than the M1 (but it’s hard to know how it will be in real life).
Not that it matters as a desktop, but the M2 Pro is 0.2 pounds heavier than the M2 and M1 builds.
| M2 Pro Mac mini | M2 Mac mini | M1 Mac mini | |
| Height | 1.41 inches (3.58 cm) | 1.41 inches (3.58 cm) | 1.42 inches (3.6 cm) |
| Width | 7.7 inches (19.7 cm) | 7.7 inches (19.7 cm) | 7.7 inches (19.7 cm) |
| Depth | 7.7 inches (19.7 cm) | 7.7 inches (19.7 cm) | 7.7 inches (19.7 cm) |
| Weight | 2.8 pounds (1.28 kg) | 2.6 pounds (1.18 kg) | 2.6 pounds (1.18 kg) |
What’s in the box
Like its predecessor, the only thing in the M2/M2 Pro Mac mini box is the computer and the power cable.
Apple of course offers its Studio Display as its more affordable external monitor. But there are also many great alternatives that are less expensive:
You may also want to pick up Apple’s Magic Keyboard and mouse or check out options like Logitech’s fantastic MX Master lineup.
Mac mini comparison: price
A nice surprise with the new Mac mini, the base M2 configurations start $100 less than the M1 models at $599. Jumping up to the M2 Pro Mac mini more than doubles the starting price of the M2 at $1,299 – but you’re getting a lot more power and double the storage and RAM.
| M2 Pro Mac mini | M2 Mac mini | M1 Mac mini | |
| 256/8 | – | $599 | $699 |
| 512/8 | – | $799 | $899 |
| 512/16 | $1,299 | $999 | $1,099 |
| Custom | Up to $4,499 | Up to $1,899 | Up to $1,999? |
Mac mini comparison wrap-up
Overall, the new Mac mini with M2 or M2 Pro is a fantastic refresh. It offers a lot more flexibility to configure the Mac you need without having to step all the way up to the Mac Studio.
For those that need a basic to medium-power machine, the M2 Mac mini will be a great fit with options between 8 and 24GB memory and storage up to 2TB.
Top comment by Anomalocaris
This is exactly where the Mini needs to be positioned relative to the Mac Studio. The Mini covers the low end and middle, while the Studio starts just above the middle and continues to the high end. Yes, if you bump up the specs of the Mini with M2 Pro it gets up to the same price as the Studio. Those that need more GPU and ports may opt for the Studio. Others may opt for the 18% faster CPU and 30% faster GPU cores. Depends on need.
I would imagine that the Mac Studio will get an M2 upgrade later this spring or early summer before Apple starts switching to M3-based models later in the year and next year. After the M2 upgrade, the Studio will be the clear performance winner in that comparison.
For those with more intensive workflows like creative professionals or aspiring creative pros and similar that don’t need a decked-out Mac Studio, the M2 Pro Mac mini will likely fill a gap in the Mac lineup.
The new M2 and M2 Pro Mac mini are available now from Apple, Amazon, Best Buy, and more.
What do you think about the new Mac mini? Share your thoughts in the comments!
More in-depth comparisons
- MacBook Air vs 2023 Pro: Here’s how the M2 laptops compare
- Battle of the Blocks: Here’s how the Mac mini stacks up against the Mac Studio
- M2 iPad Pro vs iPad Air: What’s the better choice?
- iPad 10 vs 9 vs iPad Air: Which is the best pick?
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