
The Mac Mini is Apple’s least flashy Mac, too easy to overlook in a sea of more powerful MacBook Pros and Airs. However, this small desktop computer is the cheapest modern Mac you can buy without compromising on features or performance. Thanks to the latest M2 upgrade, the Mac Mini is now even more affordable and powerful. The base model has the new Apple M2 processor and a $100 price drop.
If you’re thinking of buying a Mac Mini, this article will help you compare the latest generation with its M1-powered predecessor and the 2018 Intel-based model. While all three models look visually identical, many significant changes are hidden inside the metal chassis.

Here is a list of the key changes:
- New chips: Apple M2 and Apple M2 Pro with more CPU and GPU cores.
- More RAM: Up to 24GB of integrated memory in M2 variants and 32GB in M2 Pro (M1 tops out at 16GB). Note that the M1 and M2-based Mac minis use integrated, non-upgradable memory, while the 2018 Intel-based variant allows its DDR4-SODIMM RAM to be upgraded.
- More storage: Up to 2TB of non-removable storage in the M2 and up to 8TB in the M2 Pro (M1 tops out at 2TB).
- Improved media engine: Mac mini now supports ProRes video, ProRes RAW, and ProRes encode/decode capabilities.
- Improved display output: Mac mini now supports up to three displays in M2 Pro variants and two displays in M2. The M1-based Mac Mini supports single display output with resolutions up to 6K.
- Better communication: Wi-Fi 6E and Bluetooth 5.3
- Better ports.: Two or four Thunderbolt 4, optional 10Gb Ethernet, plus a new high-impedance 3.5mm audio jack.
- low cost: The base model now starts at $599 instead of $699.

And here is the detailed specs comparison:
2023 Mac Mini (M2/M2 Pro) | 2020 Mac Mini (M1) | 2018 Mac Mini (Intel) | |
---|---|---|---|
Dimensions |
1.41×7.75×7.75 inches 3.56×19.7×19.7 cm |
1.4×7.7×7.7 inches, 2.6 lbs (2.9 intel) 3.6×19.7×19.7 cm, 1.2 kg (1.3 kg Intel) |
|
The processor | Apple M2 Apple M2 Pro |
Apple M1 | Intel Core i3-8100B Intel Core i5-8500B Intel Core i7-8700B |
CPU core | 8 cores (M2) 10-12 cores (M2 Pro) |
8 Cor | 4-6 covers |
GPU core | 10 cores (M2) 16-19 Core (M2 Pro) |
8 Cor | Intel UHD 630 |
Media Engine | HW-high speed H.264, HEVC ProRes and ProRes RAW Video encode/decode engine ProRes encode/decode engine |
HW-high speed H.264, HEVC Video encode/decode engine |
– |
Ram | 8-24 GB unified memory (M2) 16-32GB Unified Memory (M2 Pro) |
8-16GB of unified memory | 8-64 GB |
Storage |
256GB-2TB (M2) |
256-2TB SSD | 512GB-2TB SSD |
Display the output. | Dual Display (M2) Triple Display (M2 Pro) |
A display up to 6K | Three displays (up to 4K) |
Wireless | Wi-Fi 6E Bluetooth 5.3 |
Wi-Fi 6 Bluetooth 5.0 |
WiFi 5 Bluetooth 5.0 |
Ports |
2x Thunderbolt 4 (M2) |
2x Thunderbolt / USB 4 2x USB-A 1x HDMI 1x Gigabit Ethernet 1x Audio Jack |
4x Thunderbolt 3 |
the color | silver | Space gray | |
Base price | $599 | $699 | $799 |
Apple’s M2-based Mac Mini is now available for pre-order. On the official website. Delivery starts on 24 January 2023.