Apple’s most powerful custom silicon standalone desktop computer, the Mac Studio, came out in 2022. With the release of the newest Mac mini models, the Mac Studio now has a strong rival that offers “Pro” features at a much lower price. The starting price of the Mac Studio is $1,999, which is much higher than the starting price of the M2 Mac mini, which is $599, and the starting price of the M2 Pro Mac mini, which is $1,299.
The Mac mini and the Mac Studio are both made of silver aluminum and have a familiar boxy shape. They also both have two USB-A ports and Apple silicon chipsets. Still, the two machines have much more in common with each other than they do with each other. For example, they have different chip options, memory capacities, ports, and the ability to support an external display.
When doing tasks that only use one core, the M2 and M2 Pro Mac mini models perform much better than either of the Mac Studio configurations. In multi-core, things are not as clear. Both of the Mac Studio models are more powerful than the M2 Mac mini, but the M2 Pro Mac mini is more powerful than the M1 Max Mac Studio.
Pricing and availability
The only color for the Apple Mac Mini (2023) and Mac Studio (2022) is silver. You can buy them at the Apple Store and other big stores in the U.S., like Amazon and Best Buy. The base model of the first costs $599, while the base model of the second costs $1,999. If you choose higher-end configurations for either, the price will go up.
Mac Mini vs Mac Studio Comparison Table
| Mac Studio | Mac mini | |
|---|---|---|
| Dimensions | 3.7 x 7.7 x 7.7 | 1.4 x 7.7 x 7.7 |
| Weight | 5.9 | 2.6 |
| Processor | M1 Max or M1 Ultra chip | M2 or M2 Pro chip |
| CPU | Up to 20-core CPU | Up to 12-core CPU |
| GPU | Up to 64-core GPU | Up to 19-core GPU |
| Memory | Up to 800GB/s memory bandwidth with 128GB unified memory | Up to 200GB/s memory bandwidth with 32GB unified memory |
| Display support | Support for up to four Pro Display XDRs and one 4K display | Support for up to two displays (M2) or three displays (M2 Pro) |
| Apple’s official store | Apple’s official store |
Mac Mini vs Mac Studio Design
Let’s start with the Mac Mini (2023) and Mac Studio designs. Most of these two Apple computers look the same, but the second one looks like a bigger version of the first. They both have the Apple logo in the middle on the top, are the same length and width, and have the same Silver finish.
The heights and port arrangements are what set them apart. The Mac Mini is, well, small—it’s only 1.4 inches tall. The Mac Studio, on the other hand, is 3.7 inches tall. The weight of both computers is about the same, except for the M1 Max Mac Studio, which is much lighter than every other model. So, for this round, the Mac Mini is the winner because it takes up less space and is better for minimalists. The weight shouldn’t be a big factor in this decision, since these are stationary devices that users don’t usually move around much.
Mac Mini vs Mac Studio Ports and External Display
The two devices have about the same number of ports. While the Mac Studio has more ports, the Mac Mini has better Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, and HDMI connectivity. Starting with the Mac Mini, the best version can have up to four Thunderbolt 4 ports, two USB Type-A ports, an HDMI 2.1 port, a 3.5mm headphone jack, and Ethernet. On the other hand, the most expensive Mac Studio has six Thunderbolt 4 ports, two USB Type-A ports, HDMI 2.0, a 3.5mm headphone jack, Ethernet, and an SD card slot.
So while the Mac Studio has more ports, it doesn’t have HDMI 2.1 and can’t support 8K displays because of it. You’ll also miss out on Bluetooth 5.3 and Wi-Fi 6E. If you don’t plan to use an 8K external monitor, the Mac Studio is the better choice. Not only does it have more ports, but the SD card slot gives it even more options.
To make a decision, you need to think about your needs and how often you use the ports on your computer. But it’s important to note that 8K displays are still a niche, expensive product category. Supporting them, though, is a way to make sure your Mac Mini is ready for the future.
Mac Mini vs Mac Studio RAM
There are other ways that the Max is better than the Pro, no matter what generation. The M1 Max has more memory bandwidth (400 GB/sec versus 200 GB/sec) and can offer more RAM than the M2 Pro can (64GB vs 32GB).
There is a 96GB RAM option for the M2 Max, which may be coming to the Mac Studio, but there is a catch. The 96GB RAM option is only available for the version of the M2 Max with 38 GPU cores, while the less expensive version with 30 GPU cores still only goes up to 64GB.
Mac Mini vs Mac Studio Performance
The Mac mini and the Mac Studio have a few things in common, but the fact that they were both made for professionals is probably the most important. Most people who own Apple’s mini PCs use them in creative ways, whether they are artists, content creators, or video editors. Since this is the case, what matters most is how they do.
Let’s start by exploring the performance of the Mac Mini. The M2 Pro Mac mini is the best mini PC on the market right now, based on our own tests. With a good balance of price and power, it might be good enough to make the Mac Studio less useful, to the point where even Apple might be ready to give up on it soon.
The M2 Pro chip inside the new Mac mini did a good job of beating its predecessor. When compared to the M1 Pro, it was 17% faster in multi-core tests. It was also able to keep up with the M2 Max 14-inch MacBook Pro, which is no small thing.
With more GPU cores, this little computer’s graphics performance was just as good as the CPU’s flat gains. It was 34% faster than the M2 MacBook Air in our PugetBench Premiere Pro test, and it was 43% faster at exporting than the MacBook Air.
Mac Mini: Pros and Cons
Pros
- Still very compact
- Stays amazingly quiet and cool
- Fantastic port selection
- Very affordable base configuration
Cons
- Base configuration has slower SSD
- Not user upgradable
- Still limited to just two displays
- Prices jump quickly for upgraded configs
Mac Studio: Pros and Cons
Pros
- SDXC card slot on front for easy access
- Essentially silent
- Plenty of ports
- Compact design
Cons
- Not upgradeable after purchase
- Only available in M1 Max or Ultra options
- Hugely expensive
- Cumbersome rear headphone jack
Which one should you consider?
The Mac Mini is a great choice if you need high performance and the ability to connect to an external 8K display for a reasonable price. It gets the most out of a single-core CPU. But if you don’t care about price, you should think about the M1 Ultra Mac Studio if you want the best multi-core CPU performance.
M1 Max Mac Studio can also be a choice because it has the best GPU performance, more RAM, a high memory bandwidth, support for five monitors, and an SDXC card slot built in. However, not everyone needs the $3,999 M1 Ultra or all of the features of a Mac Studio with M1 Max. If you need it right away, I’d go with the M2 Pro Mac mini and save $700, or you could wait for the M2 chip-equipped Mac Studio.
FAQs
Is it better to buy a Mac or Mac mini?
And as of 2023, both of these can be bought with Apple’s M2 chip, which is more powerful. Still, there are some ways in which you can’t really compare them. The Mac mini doesn’t have a screen, built-in battery, or camera, so if you don’t want to buy those things separately, the MacBook Air is the clear winner.
Is a Mac mini good for studio recording?
The Mac mini is a good choice if you already have a monitor, keyboard, and mouse and are just looking for a way to make music. It’s small, quiet, and has a lot of great ways to connect. It also has an audio-in port that could be useful for older devices.
