Finally, Apple has launched its new lineup of mac mini m2 and m2 pro with the latest M2 series processors. Also, Apple has eliminated the old Intel models, meaning you can now choose only two Apple silicon variants. The M2 chip for the Mac Mini and the M2 Pro chip for the Mac Mini M2 Pro.
Let’s have a look at how two of these latest Mac Minis from Apple compete with each other.
Mac Mini M2 and M2 Pro: What’s New?
Performance
Mac Mini M2
In comparison to the earlier generation, the new Mac Mini M2 has a much more potent CPU, GPU, and memory bandwidth of 100GB/s. The most recent generation M2 processor offers the following advantages over the Intel Core i7 of the previous generation:
- Now, use the Pixelmator Pro’s Machine Learning image upscaling performance at a staggering 22 times faster.
- Final Cut Pro’s rendering has also seen a massive boost at 10 times faster.
And in contrast to the earlier generation M1 chip, the most recent generation M2 processor offers:
- 2.4x higher ProRes transcode in Final Cut Pro.
- 35% higher performance in Resident Evil Village.
- 50% higher filter and function performance in Photoshop.
Mac Mini M2 Pro
A better version of the M2 is the M2 Pro. The GPU has been greatly improved, and the chip is much faster. 200GB/s represents a significant increase in memory bandwidth.
In contrast to the iMac with an Intel Core i7 and Radeon Pro 5500 XT, the Mac Mini M2 Pro offers:
- 5.5x faster panoramic merge in Adobe Lightroom.
- 4.4x faster object tracking in Final Cut Pro.
- 50% faster filter performance in Adobe Photoshop.
In comparison to the Mac Mini M1 of the previous generation, the Mac Mini M2 Pro offers:
- 2.8x higher performance in Resident Evil Village.
- 4.2x higher ProRes transcode in Final Cut Pro.
- 2.5x higher graphics performance in Affinity Photo.
Better Connectivity
Mac Mini M2
- A wider range of ports
- 2x Thunderbolt 4 ports support for dual display
- 2x USB-A ports
- 1x HDMI
- 1x Gigabit Ethernet port
Mac Mini M2 Pro
- 4x Thunderbolt 4 ports that support up to 3 displays.
- Support 8K on one of the displays
- 2x USB-A ports
- 1x HDMI
- 1x Gigabit Ethernet port
The Studio Display and Magic Accessories Deliver Incredible Desktop Experience
Enjoy the incredible desktop experience when pairing with the Studio Display and Magic accessories. The 27-inch 5K Studio Display completes the entire Mac desktop setup process. The Studio Display is a complete package that supports a 12MP Ultra-Wide camera, studio-grade three microphone array, and six speakers. The additional Magic accessories would alter the aesthetics of your Studio Display and Mac Mini setup as a whole.
MacOS Ventura
The new generation macOS Ventura offers much faster performance and stability which will give you a much more pleasant experience. The ability to hold video conferences on any Mac is made possible by features like Continuity Camera. The more recent version of FaceTime allows you to start a call on your iPhone and quickly transfer it to your Mac or vice versa thanks to the Handoff feature.
Design
Mac Mini M2
Apple has kept the exterior of the new Mac Mini M2 unchanged from the Mac Mini M1. It may be difficult for you to recognize the brand-new models, but if you look closely, you will be able to differentiate them. At 7.75 x 7.75 x 1.41 inches and 2.6 lbs the Mac mini is compact and fits on any portion of your desk.
The rounded corners and silver aluminum chassis give the Mac Mini M2 a premium look. This sleek design also gives your desk setup a minimalist look which many people like. The elevated base makes the Mac Mini M2 appear to hover on your desk. Also, keep in mind that you cannot upgrade the internals of the Mini M2 by yourself, as it is designed to be serviced by Apple only.
Mac Mini M2 Pro
The Mac Mini M2 Pro has the same design as the Mac Mini M2 variant. It has a compact premium design and the same dimensions at 7.75 x 7.75 x 1.41 inches, but it weighs 0.2 pounds more than the non-pro variant.
The M2 Pro variant also has an elevated base and a blackened Apple logo on top of the chassis. And just like the MINI M2, you cannot disassemble it yourself.
Mac Mini M2 & Mac Mini M2 Pro: Performance & Benchmarks
| None | Geekbench 5 (Multicore) | Geekbench 5 Metal | Cinebench R23 (multicore) | 3D Mark Wildlife Extreme |
| Mac Mini M2 | 9005 | 30,572 | 8735 | 6930 |
| Mac Mini M2 Pro | 15,015 | 52,800 | 14,820 | 13,040 |
Ports & Connectivity
Mac Mini M2
The Mac Mini M2 features dual Thunderbolt-4/USB 4 ports. There is also USB A, HDMI, and a gigabit Ethernet port. You will find built-in speakers and a 3.5mm headphone jack with support for high-impedance headphones. For connectivity, there is WIFI 6E and Bluetooth 5.3.
Mac Mini M2 Pro
The Mac Mini M2 Pro features four Thunderbolt-4/USB 4 ports. There is also USB A, HDMI, and a gigabit Ethernet port. You will find built-in speakers and a 3.5mm headphone jack with support for high-impedance headphones. For connectivity, there is WIFI 6E and Bluetooth 5.3.
Mac Mini M2 & Mac Mini M2 Pro: Pros & Cons
Pros:
- A Great Way to Start Using MacOS
- Numerous Connectivity Options
- Runs Silently
- Great Performance
- Compact & Premium Design
Cons:
- Not Upgradeable for Consumers
- Upgrading Storage or RAM Can be Expensive
- Front Ports are Absent
Mac Mini M2 & Mac Mini M2 Pro: Specification
| Processor | 8-core CPU, 10-core GPU |
| Display Support | Support for two displays |
| RAM | 8GB/16GB/24GB |
| Storage | 256GB/512GB/1TB/2TB |
| WIFI | Wi-Fi 6E |
| Ports | Two Thunderbolt 4 ports, two USB‑A ports, HDMI 2.0 port, Gigabit or 10Gb Ethernet |
| Dimension | 197mm x 197mm x 36mm 7.75 x 7.75 x 1.41 inches |
| Audio | Speaker, 3.5mm headphone jack with advanced support for hi-impedance headphones |
| Keyboard/Mouse | Not included |
| Bluetooth | 5.3 |
| Weight | 1.18kg, 2.6 pounds |
| Processor | 10-core or 12-core CPU, 16-core or 19-core GPU |
| Display Support | Support for three displays |
| RAM | 16GB/32GB |
| Storage | 512GB/1TB/2TB/4TB/8TB |
| WIFI | Wi-Fi 6E |
| Ports | Four Thunderbolt 4 ports, two USB‑A ports, HDMI 2.0 port, Gigabit or 10Gb Ethernet |
| Dimension | 197mm x 197mm x 36mm 7.75 x 7.75 x 1.41 inches |
| Audio | Speaker, 3.5mm headphone jack with advanced support for hi-impedance headphones |
| Keyboard/Mouse | Not included |
| Bluetooth | 5.3 |
| Weight | 1.28kg, 2.8 pounds |
Difference Between Mac Mini M2 & Mac Mini M2 Pro
There are a few differences between these two Mac Minis. Both come in different chips and configuration choices. The basic Mac Mini M2 has a base RAM of 8GB and can be upgraded to 16 or 24 gigabytes. Also, it comes with 256GB storage which is upgradeable to 2TB. While the Mac Mini M2 Pro comes with a base RAM option at 16GB upgradeable to 32GB. The base storage for the M2 Pro model is 512GB upgradeable to 8TB.
The next differences are in the connectivity options. The Mac Mini M2 comes with 2x Thunderbolt 4/USB-C ports and 2x USB-A ports. The Mac Mini M2 Pro comes with 4x Thunderbolt 4/USB-C ports, and 3x display support. It can support 8K/60HZ on one display while the M2 can support 2 displays at 6K/60Hz.
FAQ
Is Mac Mini M2 worth it?
The Mac Mini M2 is a great little computer for $599. If you want a simple and direct computer, which is easy to install and use, then the Mac Mini M2 is worth it. Even if you are a specialist in computers, you can get it and enjoy the compact size with the extreme performance of the Mac Mini M2.
Will M2 be more powerful than M1?
Yes. The M2 chips are 1.4x faster than M1. The M2 chips also support higher RAM, Apple’s great next-generation technologies, and better security than the M1 chips.
Verdict
The Mac Mini M2 and M2 Pro are excellent machines if you want a plug-and-play experience. Professionals can also use them since they offer substantial performance for heavy tasks. The compact and premium design allows them to fit anywhere on the desk and changes the look of your workstation completely.
There are many other options available from Apple if you want more powerful hardware like Mac Studio, but those are a lot more expensive and they are not the same size as the Mac Minis. For the size and price, Mac Mini M2 and M2 Pro are incredible machines and you can’t go wrong with either of them.
