Apple
Apple Mac now offers its Mac mini desktop computer with support for M2 or M2 Pro chips.
As you know Apple’s Mac mini is a portable desktop computer. It was first released in January 2005 and has since been updated and revised several times. Apple’s M1 and M2 chips, which are based on ARM architecture, power the current Mac mini models. Although the Mac mini has a lower-powered processor, less storage space, and fewer ports than its larger counterparts, it can still run macOS and most Mac software.
The Mac mini is intended to be a more affordable alternative to the larger and more expensive Mac Pro and iMac computers. It is also popular among users who want a small, portable computer that they can set up and use in a variety of locations. The Mac mini is small enough to be portable and can be used with any monitor, keyboard, and mouse. It can also serve as a media server and run various server applications.
Macs have always been expensive, but Apple does offer a model that is both powerful and inexpensive. It’s not a MacBook Air, but rather the Mac mini, a full-fledged desktop computer housed inside a small compact aluminium box. With the addition of the M2 and M2 Pro chips to the Mac mini this week, the entry-level Mac received a significant power boost. But who should buy a Mac mini in 2023? More importantly, is it still worthwhile to invest in a desktop computer?
With Apple now offering Macs at a variety of price points, it’s worth taking a few moments to ask yourself a few questions to ensure you’re ready to invest in the new Mac. Before purchasing the new M2-powered Mac mini, consider the following five questions.
This may be one of the most important questions to ask before purchasing a new Mac, because selecting the appropriate form factor may benefit you in the long run. The first is a do-it-yourself (DIY) desktop computer, and the second is a 13-inch ultra-compact mainstream notebook computer. The MacBook Air (M2) is a portable computer with a refreshed design, a 13-inch immersive display, a 1080p webcam, a convenient MagSafe charger, long battery life, and a full keyboard. The Air is a more personal computer that you can take with you and use wherever you go.
The Mac mini, on the other hand, is a small desktop computer that comes without a screen, keyboard, or mouse. It’s “BYODKM,” as Apple likes to say (Bring Your Own Display, Keyboard, and Mouse). Both are entry-level devices with identical M2 chips; the difference is in the form factor and the way you use a computer. Knowing this information gives you the confidence to proceed with your Mac selection.
Is the Mac mini suitable for home-based work?
The Mac mini is designed to be kept on a desk, and this is how it should be used. Apple hasn’t changed the Mac mini’s design in years. It is so small that it does not take up the entire desk, and its size makes it ideal for use as a family computer or in a child’s room. Laptops are not ideal for long-term use, especially if you work remotely full-time. You are constantly bending your neck, the monitor screen will never be at eye level unless you purchase a laptop stand, and typing on a laptop keyboard all day can cause fatigue and exhaustion.
If you spend a lot of time in front of a computer, switching to a desktop computer can provide the ideal ergonomic setup. If you need a computer for your main office and work computer, always choose one with a larger display for better ergonomics.
Is it a good investment?
The Mac mini is a very appealing desktop computer, but the price makes it even more appealing. The base M2 Mac mini costs Rs 59,900, which is even less than the starting price of the previous M1 Mac mini, which was Rs 64,900. In fact, the M2 Mac mini is significantly less expensive than the M2 MacBook Air, which starts at Rs 119,900. Apple has priced the M2 Mac mini so low that no Windows-based desktop computer can compete in terms of value and performance. The entry-level model includes an 8-core CPU, a 10-core GPU, 8GB of RAM, a 256GB SSD, and a slew of connectivity ports.
In terms of performance, the M2-based Mac mini should be adequate for performing ‘basic’ computing tasks (and by that we mean checking emails, light photo and video editing, writing and editing assignments on Google Docs, WhatsApp chats, and opening multiple Chrome tabs in the background). Yes, the M2 Mac mini lacks the screen, keyboard, and portability of the MacBook Air, but you won’t get the efficiency of both macOS and Apple Silicon with any other device.
How effective will it be for video editing?
For those who want to do complex tasks like video editing and coding, Apple also sells the Mac mini with the M2 Pro chip, which doubles the performance of the base M2 but costs Rs 129,900. The 12-core CPU in the M2 Pro-based Mac mini has eight high-performance cores and four high-efficiency cores. The supercharged Mac mini has 200GB/s memory bandwidth and supports up to 32GB of memory when combined with a 19-core GPU. Apple claims that the M2 Pro version will be 2.5 times faster in Affinity Photo, up to 4.2 times faster in ProRes transcoding in Final Cut Pro, and up to 2.8 times faster in Resident Evil Village gameplay.
Professional users who want a pro-grade Mac desktop but don’t have the budget to buy the Mac Studio, which starts at Rs 189,900, could benefit from this, as expected. That is, after all, the point of having a pro-grade version of the Mac mini to provide the level of performance that only a professional user would want to take advantage of.
Why might you want a Mac mini in 2023?
Needless to say, your purpose and needs will assist you in selecting the best Mac. It is entirely up to you whether you want a standard Mac mini or an M2 Pro Mac mini. However, make certain that your budget reflects your needs and desires. Choosing a desktop computer over a laptop is a step into unknown territory. For example, if you need a computer for a family of four, an M2 Mac mini is out of the question.
Many people believe that choosing the right model is the most difficult part of purchasing a Mac, but this is not the case. The main challenge is identifying the problems with the current computer. If you already have an M1 Mac mini, the M2 Mac mini may not be a significant upgrade. However, if you are upgrading from an older Intel-powered Mac mini, purchasing a newer Apple compact desktop makes sense.