Both have a 16-core Neural Engine and 100GB/s memory bandwidth. The $599 base model M2 Mac mini with 8-core CPU, 10-core GPU, 256GB SSD, and 8GB of unified memory is equal to the $1,299 M2 MacBook Air with the same specs that I reviewed last year. When I said that the M2 Mac mini redefines 'entry-level' for a Mac, I was not kidding. For aspiring or even professional YouTubers, filmmakers, 3D artists, the M2 Mac mini delivers more than it appears to on paper. The M2 Mac mini is not only an excellent machine for light computing tasks, but it's also a powerhouse for real content creation. Nothing wrong with a PC (I have equal love them) but if you want macOS and its direct integration with Apple services like iMessage and FaceTime that work seamlessly with iPhones and iPads, the M2 Mac mini is a slam dunk, especially if you're not interested in stepping up to over $1,300 for an M1 iMac or $2,000 for the Mac Studio.Įntry-level on a Mac mini used to mean serious compromise - an underpowered Intel CPU and underpowered integrated graphics - that was only good for web browsing or writing documents. I'm sure the PC Master Race will argue that you can build a better desktop for the money with the right discounts on parts, but that's a Windows computer. Starting at $599, the M2 Mac mini redefines the meaning of 'entry-level'.

The compact desktop computer went from being a terrible value with horrible Intel CPU and GPU performance - basically the worst Mac in Apple's lineup - to the M2 Mac mini, which is easily the best value Mac that Apple sells thanks to a $100 price drop and incredible CPU and GPU power. If you're still in denial about how transformative Apple silicon has been for Macs, look no further than the Mac mini.

Lightroom macbook air m1