Apple Mac Mini M2 2023 review – Apple M2 unleashing its power via desktop

The new Mac Mini M2 is an intriguing update since Apple not only updates the processor but also provides the tiny desktop with Thunderbolt 4 and Wi-Fi 6E. This also differentiates the Mac Mini from current MacBook Air models and places it with the more expensive MacBook Pro models (14 and 16 inch).

Apple included the more powerful version of the M2 SoC with 10 GPU cores as standard in the Mac Mini. When compared to the M1 SoC, performance has improved, but so has power consumption. The pure CPU performance of the Windows rival is usually slightly higher, but Apple has a distinct advantage with the GPU and overall efficiency is substantially superior.

The latest Apple Mac Mini is a successful update over the previous M1 model, thanks to the new M2 processor, Thunderbolt 4, and Wi-Fi 6E. However, Apple continues to charge a premium for more RAM or SSD storage, and the tiny desktop machine lacks maintenance choices.

If you need even more performance, the Mac Mini is now also available with the M2 Pro SoC, although it rapidly becomes very expensive. Basically, the premiums for greater RAM and SSD capacity are excessive, but external hard drives can be easily connected. The lack of maintenance choices is, of course, a significant disadvantage for a desktop PC, and competitors such as the Intel NUC 13 Pro and the Minisforum UM790 clearly outperform. If you don’t mind this, you’ll receive a high-quality and efficient mini-desktop computer with vast software features and virtually always silent operating ex works.