Mac Mini and Mac Studio are two great Macs powered by macOS Ventura and Apple silicon. Despite their similarities – they’re both desktop computers, for one – these two devices are actually very distinct. Therefore, they cater to completely different types of users.
Meet the Mac Mini (2023) vs. Mac Studio (2022) – the battle between two of Apple’s most powerful desktop computers. Let’s see which one best suits your budget and needs.
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AppleMac Mini M1 Apple Mac Mini (2023)
The Mac Mini (2023) packs Apple’s M2 or M2 Pro chip into a tiny form factor. It combines power with affordability, thanks to its low price of $599.
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AppleMacStudio Apple Mac Studio (2022)
The Mac Studio contains either the Apple M1 Max or the brand new M1 Ultra chip. It is available in silver only and starts at $1,999.
Mac Mini (2023) vs. Mac Studio (2022): Price and Availability
The Apple Mac Mini (2023) and Mac Studio (2022) are both available in Silver only. You can buy them from the Apple Store and other major US retailers, such as Amazon and Best Buy. The former costs $599 for the base model, while the latter starts at $1,999. Of course, both will go up in price if you choose higher-end configurations.
Mac Mini (2023) vs. Mac Studio (2022): Specifications
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Mac Mini (2023) |
Mac Studio (2022) |
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Dimensions and weight |
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SoCs |
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RAM and storage |
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Ports |
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Connectivity |
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Colors |
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Price |
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Design: square versus cube
Let’s start with the designs of the Mac Mini (2023) and Mac Studio (2022). These two Apple computers look alike for the most part, with the latter looking like a bloated version of the former. They both follow the same design language, with an Apple logo centered on the top, equal lengths and widths, and the same silver finish.
Where they differ is in their heights and port layouts (more on that later). The Mac Mini is, well, mini and only 1.4 inches tall, while the Mac Studio is 3.7 inches tall. Both computers share the same approximate weight, except for the M1 Max Mac Studio, which weighs significantly less than all the other models.
So for this round, we’ll crown the Mac Mini as the winner because it takes up less space and caters more to minimalists. Weight shouldn’t play a major role in this judgment, as these are stationary devices that users don’t usually carry around very often.
Performance: M2 and M1 family feud
Newer isn’t always better, and that’s the case here. The Mac Mini (2023) packs the M2 or M2 Pro chip, while the Mac Studio (2022) opts for the M1 Max or M1 Ultra. This means that low-end M2 chips compete with high-end M1 chipsets. As the tech specs table above reveals, the Mac Studio at most can handle more RAM, CPU cores, and GPU cores — up to a 20-core CPU, 64-core GPU, and 128GB. of RAM. Maximum storage is the same on both devices at 8TB.
While this round is an obvious win for the Mac Studio, you have to stop and ask yourself if you need that much power. The high-end Mac Mini with M2 Pro can already handle the most demanding tasks that users typically perform. Unless you frequently deal with high-resolution videos, 3D renders, large data compilations, and other intensive work, the Mac Mini should be more than enough. For most people, maxing out the M1 Ultra in Mac Studio is overkill.
Ports and external display support:
Both devices are about equal when it comes to ports. While the Mac Studio (2022) has more ports, the Mac Mini (2023) uses improved Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, and HDMI connectivity. Starting with the Mac Mini, the maximum variant can offer up to four Thunderbolt 4 ports, two USB Type-A ports, an HDMI 2.1 port, a 3.5mm headphone jack, and Ethernet. Meanwhile, the highest-end Mac Studio has six Thunderbolt 4 ports, two USB Type-A ports, HDMI 2.0, a 3.5mm headphone jack, Ethernet, and a slot for SD card.
So while the Mac Studio offers more ports, it lacks HDMI 2.1 and, therefore, 8K display support. You also miss out on Bluetooth 5.3 and Wi-Fi 6E. If you’re not planning on using an 8K external monitor, then the Mac Studio is the winner here. After all, in addition to offering more ports, it also has more variety thanks to the SD card slot. To make a decision, you need to weigh your needs and estimate the ports you typically use on a computer. However, it’s worth noting that 8K displays are still a niche and expensive product category, although this support is a way to future-proof your Mac Mini.
Moving on to external display support, these Macs aren’t all-in-one machines, so none include a built-in display. As a result, you’ll need to buy your own, along with a mouse and keyboard. The Mac Mini (2023) at most supports up to three displays simultaneously, while the highest-end Mac Studio offers five.
However, before you call the Mac Studio the winner, remember that three screens are already more than enough for most people working on a computer. So unless you need four or five screens (most people don’t), so this round shouldn’t affect your rating.
Mac Mini (2023) vs Mac Studio (2022): Which Should You Buy?
Although it won fewer rounds in this battle, the Mac Mini (2023) trumps the Mac Studio (2022) for most customers. The Mac Mini will appeal to at least 90% of users, and the Mac Studio (2022) may be overkill for many people. The Mac Studio packs a lot of power, but it’s only going to be used by people doing intensive, creative work. Plus, if your budget is tight, you can pick up an entry-level Mac Mini for just $599 and have enough room to buy a keyboard, mouse, and monitor. If your budget is flexible, estimate the CPU cores, GPU cores, and RAM you need, and see which Mac variants include them.
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AppleMac Mini M1 Apple Mac Mini (2023)
The Mac Mini (2023) packs Apple’s M2 or M2 Pro chip into a tiny form factor. It combines power with affordability, thanks to its low price of $599.
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AppleMacStudio Apple Mac Studio (2022)
The Mac Studio contains either the Apple M1 Max or the supercharged M1 Ultra chip. It is available in silver only and starts at $1,999.