While the M2 Mac mini features an affordable starting price of $599, does it make sense for users to buy the desktop PC instead of the MacBook Pro?
Apple‘s new M2 Mac mini provides a cheaper option for those who want a Mac with an M2 chip, but is it worth choosing over the 13-inch MacBook Pro with the same M2 chip, even though the latter costs more? The Mac Mini is currently Apple’s cheapest computer, and its low price should help it sell more units, giving it an edge over other desktop PCs such as the Xiaomi Mini Host.
The 13-inch MacBook Pro with an M2 chip and the M2 Mac Mini have almost the same internal specs. Both have an 8-core CPU, 10-core GPU, 8GB of RAM, and 256GB of SSD storage as the base configuration. The two Macs can also be configured with up to 24GB of unified memory and up to 2TB of SSD storage. However, the M2 Mac mini has Thunderbolt 4 ports, Wi-Fi 6E, and Bluetooth 5.3, while the 13-inch MacBook Pro has Thunderbolt 3 ports, Wi-Fi 6, and Bluetooth 5.0.
The M2 Mac Mini Has More Ports
With a starting price of $599, the M2 Mac mini is a good buy not only for users a budget, but also for those who prefer a desktop setup. However, the added cost of a monitor, keyboard, mouse, and webcam will mean that some people will be spending more than the $599 price of the M2 Mac mini. For those who are just setting up everything from scratch, their total expense can run up to several hundred dollars more, especially if they are buying these other accessories from Apple. For example, the 27-inch Studio Display starts at $1,599. However, there are much cheaper options available from brands like Acer, LG, Samsung, and more.
Another advantage the M2 Mac mini has over the 13-inch MacBook Pro is the number of ports. Alongside two Thunderbolt 4 ports, it also has two USB-A 3.1 Gen 2 ports, an HDMI port, an Ethernet port, and a headphone jack. On the other hand, the MacBook Pro has just two Thunderbolt 3 ports and a 3.5mm headphone jack, which means users who need more connectivity options will need to invest in a dock or adapter.
The 13-inch MacBook Pro has its target market and other advantages, despite its $1,299 starting price which is more than double the price of the Mac mini. Unlike the Mac mini, it’s ready to use out of the box. It also has a built-in battery that lasts up to 20 hours, making it suitable for those who looking for portability. In addition, the MacBook Pro has a Touch Bar, Touch ID, stereo speakers with support for Spatial Audio, and studio-quality microphones, all of which are missing on the M2 Mac mini.
