You're browsing the Apple Store and you see the Mac mini. But what is the Mac mini? What does it do? And should you buy one?

Even though Intel-based Mac mini models may be available from third-party sellers, they're not a part of Apple's active Mac mini line-up.

Therefore, we'll focus on Apple silicon-based Mac minis, specifically the models with the M2 and M2 Pro chips. Here's everything you need to know about Apple's tiny desktop computer.

What Is the Mac mini?

mac mini m2 on a desk with apple studio display
Image Credit: Apple

The Mac mini is pretty self-explanatory—it's a mini Mac. Apple offers the desktop computer as a consumer-level desktop computer. The company also offers the Mac Studio, but the Mac mini is much more affordable.

Apple's Mac mini works similarly to a typical PC. You buy the computer and then use it with your own accessories to turn it into a fully-fledged PC. It's an excellent option for a desktop computer if you're looking for an Apple device, and the Mac mini is an apt choice for many use-case scenarios.

The Mac mini's Design

Mac mini under a monitor-1

When it comes to the Mac mini's design, there's not much to say. The product is simple—it's essentially just a small metal box. In typical Apple fashion, it has a nice finish, rounded corners, and the Apple logo on the top. It's a metal box that looks as nice as you can make a metal box look, but there's not much more to it.

You'll find the ports on the back of the device (we'll get to this later) and a small power LED on the front. The device measures 7.7 inches long, 7.7 inches wide, and 1.4 inches thick, all while weighing 2.6 pounds. It's a small device that will fit easily on a desk.

The Performance of the Mac mini

apple m1 and m2 chip comparison
Image Credit: Apple

The current line-up of Mac mini comes with the mighty Apple M2 chips. The second major iteration in Apple silicon, the M2 chip, packs an 18% faster CPU and a 40% faster Neural Engine than the M1 line-up.

In reviews and performance tests, we've seen the M2 chip work faster, more efficiently, and quieter than any of the previous computers with Intel chips. It is also considerably faster and more efficient than the M1 chip, but the ultimate results depend on each device.

The base model of the Mac mini is equipped with an M2 chip with an 8-core CPU and a 10-core GPU. You'll find 8GB of unified memory in the Mac mini, along with 256GB of SSD storage and a 16-core Neural Engine. Apple does allow you to configure the device with up to 2TB of storage. Unlike the M1 model, the M2 Mac mini can be upgraded to 24GB of unified memory.

You can also choose the M2 Pro model of the Mac mini as a performance upgrade, which is powered by a 10-core CPU and a 16-core GPU. There is also an option to select a higher-core variant of the M2 Pro chip for the Mac mini. More importantly, the M2 Pro Mac mini comes with 16GB of built-in unified memory, and you can upgrade it to 32GB.

Ports and Connectivity

Mac mini ports
Image Credit: Apple

Apple's tiny desktop computer comes loaded with plenty of the latest ports. On the back, you'll find two USB-C ports, two USB-A ports, an HDMI 2.0 port, and a Gigabit Ethernet port. It's nice that Apple included some USB-A ports for those accessories that haven't been upgraded to USB-C yet. One notably missing port is an SD card slot, so you'll need an accessory for that.

In terms of connectivity, the Mac mini supports both Wi-Fi 6E and Bluetooth 5.3, as you'd expect. All of Apple's official keyboard and mouse accessories connect via Bluetooth, so it's nice to have the latest connectivity.

Pricing and Availability of the Mac mini

The baseline Mac mini retails for just $599, and the higher-memory configuration (16GB of unified memory) for $799. The Mac mini is a lot cheaper than any other Mac, including the entry-level MacBook Air.

On the other hand, the M2 Pro Mac mini starts at $1,299, which is just a hundred dollars more than the base model M2 MacBook Air we don't recommend.

Before you get too excited, don't forget that you'll have to purchase peripherals like a monitor, keyboard, and mouse separately if you don't already own them. Adding up all these accessories could increase the total price by at least a few hundred dollars, perhaps much more if you're looking at Apple's Studio display.

The Mac mini Is Mighty for Its Size

The Mac mini is the ideal desktop computer if you already own some accessories like a keyboard and mouse. It features a minimal footprint and doesn't take up a lot of space on your desk.

Thanks to the M2 and M2 Pro chips, the Mac mini matches the performance of most premium Macs for a lot less. You'll also be hard-pressed to find a Windows PC that matches its performance for the same price.