it’s easy to ignore the Mac Mini: Apple’s small, square PC isn’t particularly exciting. It can’t super powerful like Mac Studiomodular like Mac Pro or as colorful as the 24 inch iMac. You can’t carry it around and work anywhere like you can with a MacBook. But it’s Apple’s most ergonomic machine yet, and that’s more evident with the 2023 refresh.
New Mac Mini similar to its predecessor from 2020 except now it uses the next generation of Apple M2 and M2 Pro processors. That alone breathes new life into this compact system, as it’s a low-cost plug-and-play solution that’s still powerful enough for content creators. Base prices are more affordable than ever, starting at $599, and the Mac Mini is the cheapest way to access the M2 Pro processor at $1,299. The only other M2 Pro-enabled Mac is MacBook Pro 14-inch and 16-inch, priced at $1,999 and $2,499 respectively. The closest desktop alternative is the base Mac Studio with the M1 Max chip for $1,999. But most people don’t need that much power.
It doesn’t have to be ostentatious. No matter which processor you buy, the Mini is a smart and hassle-free way to get all the power most people need without draining your wallet—and it’s really up to you to decide which device to buy. any peripheral will receive.
Build your own adventure
Photo: Apple
The Mac Mini still follows the BYODKM rule. Initialism, originally used by Steve Jobs when he announced The first Mac Mini in 2005, stands for “bring your own monitor, keyboard, and mouse,” because you only get the machine and the power cord in the box. You’ll definitely want to add a pair of speakers when you’re not using headphones because the built-in speakers aren’t as pleasant.
This BYO design is great news if you already have those peripherals. Plug everything in and you’re good to go. Even if you’re starting to build your workspace from scratch, it doesn’t need to be expensive. Have tons of cheap and great keyboards, mouseand screen you can get stuck without increasing costs. The machine itself is small and unobtrusive, so it’s easy to arrange accessories around its footprint. And at 2.6 pounds, it’s lightweight and portable, which makes it perfect for hybrid workers who have to split their time between home and office.
If you like tons of monitors around your workspace, then you might be disappointed to learn that the basic Mac Mini still only supports two external displays, like the model that supports the M1. That should be enough for most people, but if you upgrade to the M2 Pro, you can connect to three screens to bask in all that blue light.
Photo: Apple
