The new Mac Mini 2023 is an update to one of Apple's longest-standing product lines, dating back to 2005. This latest version of the Mini is designed to work behind the scenes, fitting into small spaces and pairing with your choice of display and input devices. It's often referred to as the podcaster's favorite computer, and with the option of an M2 Pro processor, the new Mini can take on more complex multimedia assignments on par with the also-new M2 Pro MacBook Pro.
At $599 to start, the Mini is the least expensive way to get a MacOS computer by a large margin. The M2 Pro version starts at $1,299, which is still relatively affordable when compared to other Mac products. The Mini is a great option for those looking for a small-form-factor computer that can handle MacOS and its speciality chops in design, audio production, and photo and video editing.
The last time a new Mac Mini was released was in fall 2020, with the release of the original M1 chip. Since then, the Mac Studio has been released with bigger, more powerful M1 Max and M1 Ultra chips. The Mac Mini now offers M2 and M2 Pro versions, while the Mac Studio has M1 Max and M1 Ultra chips. This means the Apple desktop ecosystem is very thinly sliced, with options catering to different needs and budgets.
The M2 model of the Mac Mini starts with 8GB of RAM, which can be upgraded to 16GB or 24GB. Storage starts at 256GB and can go up to 2TB. The M2 Pro version starts at 16GB of RAM and 512GB storage and is upgradable to 32GB and 8TB. Another difference between the two models is the number of ports available. The M2 Pro model has four thunderbolt 4/USB-C ports on the back panel, while the M2 version has only two.
In terms of performance, the new Mac Mini with the M2 Pro chip is certainly more powerful than the M2 model, but it's worth noting that it's still not as powerful as the Mac Studio. However, it's also worth noting that the Mac Studio starts at $1,999, which is significantly more expensive than the Mac Mini.
Overall, the new Mac Mini 2023 is a great option for those looking for a powerful, small-form-factor computer that can handle MacOS. It's especially great for podcasters and content creators, and with an optional M2 Pro processor, it can take on more complex multimedia assignments. It's also relatively affordable when compared to other Mac products. The only downsides to the Mac Mini are that the least expensive model has fewer ports and less storage and RAM can only go up to 32GB.