New Mac mini vs. Mac Studio: $1,600 between two chips
Apple simultaneously updated the Mac mini and Mac Studio this week. The appearance has not changed much, but the chip configuration is completely different on the inside. Prices range from $899 all the way up to $2,499. Which one you choose depends on the work you do, not your budget.
One is a 2-inch-high small square, and the other is a 3.7-inch-high aluminum block weighing more than 6 pounds. The difference in appearance is relatively easy to understand. What really distanced them was the chips inserted into the two machines.
Apple quietly updated Mac mini and Mac Studio this week when the topic of iPhone is hot. The appearance of the two has not changed much, but they have been replaced with faster chips. Pre-orders are open and will arrive as soon as next month. They are also desktop computers that require your own keyboard, mouse, and screen. Apple does not include these accessories in the box - if you want them, you have to buy them separately, and the price will quickly increase.
Mac mini: Most people don’t need more
The new Mac mini comes standard with the M6 chip, which is Apple’s first chip using a 2-nanometer process and focuses on low power consumption and heat dissipation. The basic configuration is a 12-core CPU, 12-core GPU, 16GB of memory and 256GB of storage space - 256GB is not generous nowadays, and it is worth considering upgrading. Such specifications are sufficient for daily use and basic video editing.
If your needs are higher, Mac mini also has a version equipped with M5 Pro. This chip is the same as the latest MacBook Pro, with a CPU up to 18 cores, a GPU up to 16 cores, memory up to 64GB, and storage space up to 8TB. This combination is enough to handle 3D drawing and program development without encountering lags. In other words, many professional users don't actually need to jump to Mac Studio.
Mac Studio: for those who don’t want to compromise
The basic Mac Studio model is equipped with an M5 Max chip, an 18-core CPU, and a 32-core GPU. This is just the entry-level specification. There is also a version equipped with M5 Ultra - Apple has fused two M5 Max together to create monster specifications with up to 36-core CPU and 80-core GPU, with optional memory up to 512GB and storage space up to 16TB. This is a machine for production studios, engineers, and scientists, and it’s more than enough for training AI models or running heavy-duty games.
Connectivity ports are also the strength of Mac Studio: four Thunderbolt 5 ports, transmission speeds up to 120 Gbps, plus 10Gb Ethernet, HDMI, headphone jack and two USB-A ports, and two more USB-C ports on the front, eliminating the need for additional docking stations. The Mac mini has fewer ports, missing one Thunderbolt port and two USB-A ports.
Which one you choose ultimately depends on the job content rather than your budget limit. The new Mac mini starts at $899, which is more expensive than the previous generation, but is still enough for most people; the Mac Studio starts at $2,499, which is reserved for those who don’t want to worry about the hardware not keeping up with the workload.
