Mac Mini vs. Mac Studio Buyer's Guide

[MacRumors]

In 2023, Apple updated the Mac Studio with the M2 Max and M2 Ultra chips, with the latter being the most powerful Apple silicon chip to date. Earlier this year, Apple refreshed the Mac mini with the M2 and M2 Pro chips, meaning that the Mac Studio faces a formidable competitor that offers "Pro" capabilities at a substantially lower price point.

There are now two desktop Macs and four Apple silicon chip options for users who do not need the expandability of the Mac Pro. The Mac Studio starts at $1,999, dwarfing the $599 starting price of the M2 Mac mini and even the $1,299 starting price of the M2 Pro Mac mini, so do you need the performance of the Mac Studio, or is the humble Mac mini sufficient for your needs? Our guide helps to answer the question of how to decide which of these two desktop Macs is best for you.

Comparing the Mac Mini and the Mac Studio

The Mac mini and the Mac Studio share some fundamental features, including a familiar, boxy silver aluminum design, Apple silicon chipsets, and two USB-A ports. That being said, the two machines have much more in contrast than they do in common, including different chip options, memory capacities, ports, and external display support capabilities.

Key Differences

Mac Mini	Mac Studio
Height of 1.41 inches (3.58 cm)	Height of 3.7 inches (9.5 cm)
M2 chip or M2 Pro chip	M2 Max chip or M2 Ultra chip
Up to 12-core CPU	Up to 24-core CPU
Up to 19-core GPU	Up to 76-core GPU
Media engine with video decode engine, video encode engines, and ProRes encode and decode engine	Media engine with two video decode engines, up to four video encode engines, and up to four ProRes encode and decode engines
Up to 200GB/s memory bandwidth	Up to 800GB/s memory bandwidth
Up to 32GB unified memory	Up to 192GB unified memory
Support for up to two displays (M2) or three displays (M2 Pro)	Support for up to eight 4K displays, six 6K displays, or three 8K displays
Up to four Thunderbolt/USB 4 ports	Six Thunderbolt/USB 4 ports
Gigabit Ethernet or 10Gb Ethernet port	10Gb Ethernet port
–	SDXC card slot (UHS-II)
Starts at $699 for M2 model or $1,299 for M2 Pro model	Starts at $1,999 for M2 Max model or $3,999 for M2 Ultra model

Desktop Apple Silicon Chips Compared

While we don't yet have benchmarks for the M2 Ultra, it is still worth comparing the M2, M2 Pro, and M2 Max to the M1 Ultra to get a sense of how their performance scales. Benchmark scores for the M2 Ultra are likely to be around 20 to 30 percent better than the M1 Ultra.

In single-core tasks, the M2 and M2 Pro Mac mini models perform very similarly to the M2 Max and M2 Ultra Mac Studio. Yet in multi-core and GPU tasks, the Mac Studio makes considerable strides ahead of the Mac mini, scaling as one would expect. Users who need maximum GPU performance, in particular, should buy the Mac Studio over the Mac mini.

See the approximate Geekbench 5 scores for each Mac mini and Mac Studio below (M1 Ultra in place of M2 Ultra until benchmarks are available):


Single-Core Scores

• M2: ~2,000
• M2 Pro: ~2,000
• M2 Max: ~2,700
• M1 Ultra: ~1,750

Metal GPU Scores

• M2: ~30,500
• M2 Pro: ~52,700
• M2 Max: ~64,700
• M1 Ultra: ~94,500

Multi-Core Scores

• M2: ~9,000
• M2 Pro: ~14,200
• M2 Max: ~14,400
• M1 Ultra: ~23,350

Unless you plan on buying the M2 Ultra Mac Studio with a focus on multi-core and GPU performance, the M2 Pro Mac mini should be the best all-round choice in terms of performance for most users.

Memory

If you need more than 32GB of memory, the Mac Studio can provide greater quantities up to 192GB. Likewise, the Mac mini's memory bandwidth maxes out at 200GB/s memory bandwidth. The Mac Studio, on the other hand, offers up to 400GB/s or 800GB/s memory bandwidth. As such, if you need extreme quantities of memory and a large amount of memory bandwidth for professional tasks, only the Mac Studio can meet these requirements. It is still worth noting that the M2 Pro Mac mini's 32GB memory option, along with 200GB/s memory bandwidth, should be more than enough for most users.

Ports and External Display Support

The Mac Studio offers a more versatile selection of ports, with two extra Thunderbolt/USB 4 ports and a SDXC card slot compared to the M2 Pro Mac mini, which could be an important consideration for users with a lot of peripherals.

The Mac mini can only support up to three external displays with the M2 Pro... Click here to read rest of article

Article Link: Mac Mini vs. Mac Studio Buyer's Guide

 

[Kulfon]

I need to say that I am confused now. Nothing negative, just not very clear. We now have Mac Mini, Mac Studio and Mac Pro. How to really understand it?

 

[nepalisherpa]

I am pretty sure someone who knows they need a Mac Studio would not be confused with a M1 Mini (and vice-versa). The $1300 price difference would be an obvious factor.

 

[HazardousT]

So it's either low end or high end? No middle ground at all on this is there?

 

[steve217]

I like the option of being able to devote more to the monitor than the CPU. The monitor to me is a much longer term acquisition. Swapping out a lower model CPU (Mini or low-end Studio) and upgrading that more frequently makes a better fiscal strategy.

 

[CWallace]

I need to say that I am confused now. Nothing negative, just not very clear. We now have Mac Mini, Mac Studio and Mac Pro. How to really understand it?

Mac mini is capable of handling less-demanding workloads.
Mac Studio is a mid-ranged system that is capable of handling demanding workloads.
Mac Pro is a "no limits" system, capable of handling the most demanding workloads.


Update: Over a year has passed since this post and the 2023 Mac Pro ended up not having an "Extreme" class SoC and 256GB+ of RAM. So looking at the desktop lineup today:

The iMac and Mac mini are capable of handling less-demanding workloads.
The Mac mini Pro and Mac Studio Max are mid-ranged systems that are capable of handling demanding workloads.
The Mac Studio Ultra and Mac Pro are "no limits" (within the Apple Silicon architecture) systems, capable of handling the most demanding Apple Silicon workloads.

 

[ixxx69]

Mac mini is capable of handling less-demanding workloads.
Mac Studio is a mid-ranged system that is capable of handling demanding workloads.
Mac Pro is a "no limits" system, capable of handling the most demanding workloads.

Yeah, really. It's not that complicated. Folks just want to be confused so they have something to complain about.

 

[CWallace]

So it's either low end or high end? No middle ground at all on this is there?

I'd argue Mac Studio is the middle ground choice.

Mac mini is the lower ground (I hate calling it "low end" because it can handle serious workloads in certain areas) and Mac Pro is the "no limits" high ground.

 

[HazardousT]

I'd argue Mac Studio is the middle ground choice.

Mac mini is the lower ground (I hate calling it "low end" because it can handle serious workloads in certain areas) and Mac Pro is the "no limits" high ground.

Mac Studio + Display is $3500 with the minimum configuration. To me that's not a middle ground

 

[4jasontv]

Yeah, really. It's not that complicated. Folks just want to be confused so they have something to complain about.

The complication comes when defining demanding. We don’t all do video editing or photo work. When do Chrome, Office, and Preview tasks become more demanding?

 

[Bandaman]

Mac mini is capable of handling less-demanding workloads.
Mac Studio is a mid-ranged system that is capable of handling demanding workloads.
Mac Pro is a "no limits" system, capable of handling the most demanding workloads.

The Mac Studio is not even remotely mid-ranged at this point.

 

[NightFox]

So it's either low end or high end? No middle ground at all on this is there?

I think if you look at a fully spec'd-out M1 Mac mini compared to the entry level Studio, there isn't really much of a middle ground to fill. Someone's needs would have to be pretty niche and specific to fall between those two.

 

[now i see it]

It’s a pretty easy task trying to decide between the Studio or the Mini: if you’ve got the cash, the Studio is the clear choice.

The hard decision is choosing a Mac Studio over a Mac Pro. Now that conundrum will lead to sleepless nights and drive you mad

 

[AppleTO]

So the only thing that we are missing is either an M1 Pro Mac mini or Mac Studio (this slot is currently taken by the Intel Mac mini).

It seems obvious that this will come eventually, but for now Apple would probably rather see who is willing to shell out for the $1999 Mac Studio, given that a $1299 to $1499 Mac mini M1 Pro is probably what most people want or need.

 

[temende]

If you need to read a buyer's guide to decide if you need the power of the Mac Studio, you probably don't need the power of the Mac Studio.

 

[icanhazmac]

I don't know that the $699 config is worth comparing to as with only 8 gigs of shared memory it really cannot do much other than light surfing, email and pages, numbers, etc.

A far more relevant comparison would be the $1099 config of the mini with 16 gigs. Then the extra $900 for a $1999 Studio Max you get 2 more cpu cores, 16 more gpu cores, 32 gigs of shared memory and the upgraded ethernet / wireless.

To me if you want/need an Apple desktop today then the studio at $1999 is a far better buy than $1099 for the mini in terms of how much mileage you will get from it. The $699 mini would truly be a throw away purchase except for the most basic user.

 

[saulinpa]

Mac Studio + Display is $3500 with the minimum configuration. To me that's not a middle ground

Mac Pro + XDR Display is $10,600 with the minimum configuration. So, yes, $3500 is not the middle ground, it is lower than middle.

 

[HobeSoundDarryl]

I need to say that I am confused now. Nothing negative, just not very clear. We now have Mac Mini, Mac Studio and Mac Pro. How to really understand it?

• Mac Mini: cheapest way to run MacOS on (new) Apple Silicon
• Mac Studio: most powerful option on Apple Silicon (right now)
• Mac Pro: most powerful way to run MacOS with flexible expansion whenever you like, flexible RAM additions whenever you like and Windows/Bootcamp too.
• Mac Mini Intel: Besides what was shared in the article, cheapest way to run MacOS and (full) Windows in ONE case. The last non-Pro full macOS + full Windows in one box Mac.

Even simpler: if you want a new Mac and your budget max is $X, let X screen out all options > $X. For the average person looking to maybe spend up to mid-range iMac-like prices, Mac Pro is completely eliminated so the choice is Mini vs. Studio. If you need abundant parallel task power, Studio's extra cores and RAM may win. If you don't, Mini's great relative value may win. The cores in all of the M1 options crank at the SAME speed, so it's mostly how much hardware multitasking/parallel processing do you need and/or does anything you do absolutely need more than 16GB of RAM? If so, Studio. If not, Mini.

As to entry, middle ground, high, that's a bit cloudier because the transition is still unfolding and those are fluid, "eye of the beholder" terms. IMO basically and pretty generically:

• Configurations of Mac Mini cover Entry to Middle
• Configurations of Mac Studio cover Middle to High
• Configurations of Mac Pro overlaps with High to Highest (and flexible expandability, cards, RAM).

There are logical expectations that Mac Mini Intel will probably be replaced with M1 or M2 PRO eventually. Many of us were expecting PRO & MAX at THIS event... and at the OCT event too. If it happens, the lines seem pretty clear to me:

• Base to Consumer Mid (probably good for ANY consumer for general purpose to low prosumer needs): Mac Mini to Mac Mini Pro at about $600 to about $1800 or so
• Prosumer to Pro: Studio at $2000 to $8000 or so
• Pro to MAX Power/Flexibility/Special tech needs via cards Pro: Pro at- guessing- $6000 to $Infinity - 1. 😉

Whether a Silicon Mac Pro will have expandability/flexibility like the current Intel Pro is to be determined. If so, that alone very cleanly differentiates it from a more powerful Studio config. If you need a third-party card in a Mac, it would be the ONLY option (if Silicon version comes with that option).

Primary issue with confusion is mostly driven by some Macs have transitioned and some are still to transition. So there are temporary "holes" easily filled, very likely THIS year... probably in the next 3-6 months. If one doesn't need to see something at every possible price point, it seems minimal Mini to loaded Studio probably covers nearly all (but the most extreme or speciality needs) bases right now.

 

[steve217]

I don't know that the $699 config is worth comparing to as with only 8 gigs of shared memory it really cannot do much other than light surfing, email and pages, numbers, etc.

You'd be surprised how much that base model can do. I've got one and it just works...

Admittedly, it can't play in the same league as a base Studio.

 

[BotchQue]

I think if you look at a fully spec'd-out M1 Mac mini compared to the entry level Studio, there isn't really much of a middle ground to fill. Someone's needs would have to be pretty niche and specific to fall between those two.

Yup. I did that comparison two days ago (plus the addition of a CalDigit hub) and when I got within a few hundred dollars of the Studio, went ahead and ordered that.

 

[icanhazmac]

So it's either low end or high end? No middle ground at all on this is there?

I disagree:

Mini $699 is super basic.
Studio $1999 is middle ground.
Studio $3999 is high end.
Pro is.... pro.

 

[jasnw]

I've been looking at this very question, but the answer I get is I want something Apple doesn't make, and may never make. That's something between the M1 Mini and the M1 Max Studio. Perhaps a Mini with an M1 Max? I don't really see why the M1 Max can be in a laptop but needs to be in a Studio-like enclosure for a desktop. That $1300 jump between Mini and Studio bothers me.

 

[HazardousT]

Mac Pro + XDR Display is $10,600 with the minimum configuration. So, yes, $3500 is not the middle ground, it is lower than middle.

In what world is $3500 for a desktop computer lower than middle ground?

 

[HazardousT]

I disagree:

Mini $699 is super basic.
Studio $1999 is middle ground.
Studio $3999 is high end.
Pro is.... pro.

That studio with a display included at $1999 would be middle ground. The additional $1600 for a display that was already included in the previous 27" iMac is anything but.

We can agree to disagree.

 

[jasnw]

My own metric is that I've been able to purchase the computer I need for $2,000 +/- $500, including monitor and everything else, for the past several decades. Now Apple is breaking this curve, and not in a good way.