For a machine that is essentially an M2 MacBook Pro without the display, keyboard, or trackpad, that’s incredibly good value, once again. However, that takes you into base-model Mac Studio territory, which calls for caution (in this instance, the Mac Studio might actually be the machine for you). The most you can spend on an M2 Mac mini is £1,949 which nets you 24GB of unified memory, a 2TB SSD, and 10-gigabit ethernet. As a point of comparison, I’ve been using the base model M2 MacBook Air (which is essentially the same machine) as the main admin and writing computer for my business and it is flawless for those tasks.

If you’re after the cheapest Mac you can buy directly from Apple and you’re buying it simply to tinker with, for basic admin duties, or for your kid – stop reading and buy the base model M2 Mac mini. That’s a £50 price drop from the M1 version (US buyers save an even more impressive $100). The base model M2 Mac mini costs just £649 in the UK. Let’s look at five areas to consider when deciding between an M2 or M2 Pro Mac mini. Put simply, if a Mac Studio seems far too expensive, if you have no need for portability, and if a 24-inch iMac doesn’t float your boat (or tease your purse strings), the Mac mini will be an amazing purchase. The Mac mini is an incredibly capable computer – I built my business on a moderately specced M1 version, and I’d guess that many other people have achieved similar feats. Those users don’t have to skimp on power, either – particularly in the era of Apple silicon. It’s inside what counts, though, and the Mac mini has always been a brilliant solution for anyone who just wants to get on with using a Mac at their desk in the most affordable way possible. This is the epitome of a minimalist desktop computer. It’s just a little box with an Apple logo on it. It doesn’t come with a display (there isn’t even a mouse or keyboard in the box) and there’s none of the impressive design flair and presence you get with the Mac Pro. On the surface, the Mac mini is the least exciting Mac.

Best mac mini to buy used