Review: The M2 Mac mini is the perfect desktop for most users

Nothing is the same as Apple Silicon. The leap from M1 to M2 chips doesn’t offer as much of a performance boost as the leap from previous Mac chips to Apple Silicon, but even the entry-level M2 Mac mini is enough to warrant that most people can Adds the power needed.

Geekbench test

Below are Geekbench performance numbers for an entry-level Mac mini configuration dating back to 2011. The M2 system data was generated by a test machine provided by Apple.

• Mid-2011: 506 single-core, 1,262 multi-core.
• Late 2012: 570 single-core, 1,278 multi-core.
• Late 2014: 771 single-core, 1,503 multi-core.
• Late 2018: 895 single-core, 3,183 multi-core.
• Mini M1 Late 2020: 1,715 single-core, 7,442 multi-core.
• Mini M2 Early 2023: 1,943 single-core, 8,916 multi-core*.

Of course, data is only part of the story. What is clear, however, is that his Apple over Intel has achieved relatively modest performance gains, generation after generation. Then came Apple silicon, and we could expect significant improvements across generations.

That means the high-end Mac mini M2 Pro system will compete with Apple’s current desktop king, the Mac Studio, at least when it comes to benchmarks. And these entry-level Macs offer the same kind of computing power as the Intel-based iMac Pro. It’s important.

Apple continues to abuse its control over hardware, software, and (current) processors to tweak systems to better do what users need. This release takes advantage of faster processors and graphics processors, as well as much higher memory bandwidth and much better media handling.

Which Mac mini do you have?

I’ve been using Apple’s $799 Mac mini for years. This is the same base model as the $599 version, but with twice the SSD storage (512GB instead of 256GB) and the same he has 8GB memory. Other than that, it offers the same specs including an 8-core CPU with a 10-core GPU and support for up to 24GB of unified memory running at 100GBps.

When we saw the first Mac mini with the M1 chip, we ran various tests. I repeated them this time, but the new Mini handled everything I threw at it. It never seemed like it was a struggle.

It’s cool, quiet, functional, and barely warms to the touch, even when working with multiple music tracks. The image processing improvements were obvious: Pixelmator handled image transitions significantly faster, Photoshop felt more comfortable, and GarageBand cut down the song while I added instrument tracks manually. .

Some additional benchmarks:

• Cinebench gave scores of 8606 (multi-core) and 1,623 (single-core).
• Unigine Heaven 4.0 returned a score of 2,146 at 1920×1080 pixel resolution, but this test relies on Rosetta emulation and is not optimized to run natively on Apple silicon.

Both tests confirm a significant improvement in graphics performance compared to the M1, just as promised by Apple. (Apple boasted of his 35% faster GPU performance, but I’m looking at it.) That means he can expect a 50% improvement when working with files in Photoshop, for example. . And with 50% faster memory bandwidth, apps work faster.

All this performance starts at $599, but requires a keyboard, mouse, and display. The M2 Mac mini supports up to two displays, one of which is up to 6K.

It reminds me of something else….

Are the all-in-one days over?

There was a time when I preferred an all-in-one system, but now I’m moving to another system. Repairs are expensive and recycling is time-consuming. Also, you lose not only your computer but also your display when upgrading, so choosing another method seems more environmentally friendly.

It makes sense to upgrade your computer, but leave your keyboard, mouse, and display alone. It also makes upgrades more affordable because you can buy a PC and leave the rest alone. At $599 per seat, the Mac mini meets this need head-on. As benchmark data and my anecdotal experience show, you get a powerful Mac that can handle most everyday tasks and is well suited for processor-intensive work.

If your business is migrating to Macs or has an employee choice scheme in place, these consume far less power than other competing desktops, and you can use the keyboard, mouse, and keyboard your team already uses. Please note that it may be compatible with your monitor. switching cost.

Businesses should also consider the computer power per watt of these systems. Because at scale, a Mac mini is a cheap PC to run. I’d also argue that when paired with an iPad Air for light mobile tasks, it could be all the computer some knowledge worker needs.

Upgrade issue

Is it a good enough upgrade compared to the M1 Mac mini?

Honestly, I was so impressed with that model that I bought my own. This time? I am considering it because the price is affordable and the performance is definitely improved than the M1.

However, if you or your team use Intel-based Macs, the M2 absolutely justifies an upgrade. Apple’s Mac development roadmap now suggests further improvements (particularly in terms of energy consumption) in the 3-nanometer M3 chip. They could reach the Mac mini in late 2024 and take another leap in performance.

What do you not like?

The smallest criticism might be that the Mac mini’s shape hasn’t changed much. It’s the same little discreet box it’s always been (and probably will always be). Second criticism: The M2 model only has 2 Thunderbolt ports and 2 USB-A ports, but if you need additional Thunderbolt ports, the (more expensive, but more powerful) M2 Pro system has 4 Offers.

A third criticism is the cost of additional BTO storage, which is always expensive, and the difficulty of replacing SSD storage modules. It may be best to use innovative peripherals such as Satechi to meet your additional storage/I/O needs. This modular approach makes upgrading the core system easier and more affordable.

One criticism that hasn’t really existed since the introduction of the last M1 Mac mini is that most major third-party applications now run natively on the processor. that should not be exchanged.

Should I?

Apple’s Mac mini has finally shown itself to be the swan we’ve been waiting for, as usual. More flexible than an all-in-one system and offering far more power than the price-minded punch, the mini’s latest refinements make it appealing to existing M1 Mac users, but perhaps not essential.

The mini is definitely a strong contender for anyone using an Intel Mac or Windows PC and wanting to move to a desktop Apple Silicon Mac. This is a great low-cost system for switchers and employers provisioning desk-based employees who want their machines at work to be as good as those they use at home.

And this is the paradigm shift in action. Nothing is the same as Apple Silicon. Apple’s new processor architecture means that each Mac Apple ships improves at a pace never seen before. As it is, it’s changing the language (and market share) of the PC industry, and this new beginning is just beginning for Cupertino.

Aside from the needs of high-end creatives and the trend toward mobile Macs, there are no compromises on this machine. The Mac mini M2 is a great desktop Mac for most people.

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