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Apple Silicon Mac mini Q&A
Update Published February 8, 2023
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What are the "pros and cons" of the Apple Silicon Mac mini? Is it for me?
To help you determine whether or not an Apple Silicon Mac mini is the right Mac for you, an objective, quick-to-read "pros and cons" can be perfect.
Photo Credit: Apple, Inc. (Apple Mac mini & 32" Apple Pro Display XDR)
For those interested in more detail, EveryMac.com also offers an in-depth comparison of the discontinued "2020 M1" Mac mini and "Late 2018" Mac mini and current "2023 M2" and "M2 Pro" Mac mini models.
For those who prefer a quick "run down," the following can be everything you need to make a decision:
Pros:
- Lack of integrated or bundled display, keyboard, and mouse allows one to use existing peripherals or choose from a variety of third-party options, some of which cost substantially less than Apple's and can be reused with a new system later at no additional cost.
- Very fast for the price.
- Small, well built aluminum case.
- Thunderbolt / USB 4 ports for fast external connectivity.
- At least dual display support: 6K and 4K (and 8K on the Mac mini M2 Pro).
- The least expensive new Apple computer.
Cons:
- Requires one to have, or to purchase, a display, keyboard, and mouse. Depending on the desired configuration, it may be more cost-effective to purchase an iMac with its integrated display and bundled high-quality keyboard and input devices.
- Essentially disposable; non-upgradable processor, GPU, RAM, and storage will limit the useful life of the computer.
- No eGPU support.
- Although most have moved on to streaming devices or dedicated "smart" televisions at this point, the lack of IR support makes it less useful with a television than some earlier models.
- No SD card slot.
- More expensive than some Windows PCs.
So, is an Apple Silicon Mac mini right for me?
Basically, if you want the cheapest new Apple computer you can buy, have no need for internal expansion, and are not bothered by the environmental aspect of an essentially disposable computer, an Apple Silicon Mac mini would be a good choice. If compact size is important to you and you already own a compatible display, keyboard and mouse or trackpad, it could be perfect.
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