YOU Should Buy the CHEAPEST M2 Mac Mini, And Here's Why!

How is it for AI development?

My next Mac purchase. I bought the original Mini back in 05, which is still chugging away in the basement as my photo scanning station. So a return to the Mini will be nice. Only question is: Which 4K monitor? Don't want to spend an arm & leg.

I think one of these would be perfect when we get a 4k TV.
Something to manage 4k rips, or hell, even just run dolphin for some GameCube action.

don´t by it is slow

I liked and subscribed solely on the Aladdin reference

Love this review. Personally, I'm getting the higher-end model with 10‑core CPU, 16-core GPU, 16‑core Neural Engine, 16GB unified memory, and 1TB SSD storage. Still a great buy at 1500, in my book.

Sounds great but base model is with 8GB of ram, isn't that very little?

8 gig unified memory? Jesus, my 6-year-old video card has more memory...

I will be okay with just the base model of the MM2 I only do light editing work nothing too crazy. If I start to do more crazy stuff then I’ll upgrade to a MM2pro so this video helped thanks!

$499.99 right now is a steal

Would the base Mac mini be good for basic video editing in iMovie and some cloud gaming?

Any help with this question is greatly appreciated.

The base model internal SSD is slow. A great way around it is to use an EXTERNAL SSD at full speed. Put all the work files there esp for editing :)

No dont buy into Apple's money grab strategy where they stitch up the consumer. Soldered ssd's means if your lucky 3-5 years and then your left with an expensive doorstop. It only takes 1 ssd chip to fail to make the others on the board useless, and forget about attatching an external nvme drive. When the internal ssd fails and all ssd's do eventually, all power is cut to the mac mini.
Also the cheapest mac mini with smallest storage means a lot or ram swapping between ssd, which means more reading and writing to the ssd and shortening its life span.
No one denies how good on performance these macs are, but you have to weigh up whether you have deep enough pockets to buy another when it fails in maybe 3 years.

All the gloss in this video review makes me wonder if apple are sponsering it.

Guys, assess your needs according what you see to be necessary

Just upgraded from the Mac Mini M1 to the M2. I didn't notice much difference in performance but the annoying Bluetooth and network issues have both been fixed! The Mac Mini M1 would regularly drop the Apple mouse requiring me to plug it in every couple of days to get it back. Also, the ethernet connection would drop out and getting it reconnected was a constant pain. That's all in the past. All the problems are no longer problems. Buy a Mac Mini M2, not the M1. One other thing, my monitor is a 43" 4K TV. It's a fairly cheap model but it doesn't make any difference. The huge screen is perfect for Sports and Movies or just surfing. I can't imagine having a better computer.

I purchased the base m1 model when it came out for study, nothing else as have multiple computers, however I have found it has become my daily driver, I have used Office 365, All the Adobe apps, Done design and video editing, and even modeled and rendered stuff in blender all on the base with no issues. I also have a higher spec M1 Laptop with more memory and storage, but to date still use the M1 Mac mini more. The small internal drive did fill up but I’m using external storage via usb, and also move stuff to my nas so it’s not a major. Other than that was surprised how capable the 8gb unit has been.

Great video as usual. keep it up! For the weekend photo and video hobbiest, which M1 or M2 small desktop is the best value compromise? I'm talking processing hundreds of Raws and a hundred or so 30-60 second 4k clips about 20 times per year?

I know baldurs gate on the M1 needs 16gb of ram but I wonder if you can squeeze by with the 8Gb m2

do m2 mac mini support two FHD/QHD 144hz monitor displays?

Don't feed the Apple cash monster algorithm, buy the base model and if you need it an external SSD.
For 95% of users that will do the job and then some, if you want to spend money on any upgrades then just go for the Pro model. Remember this technology is getting even faster by the year, even with upgrades the technology will be outdated very quickly. In the future upgrades will be a thing of the past anyway.

Gary, need to replace a desktop Win machine that has a Threadripper processor that Win 11 wont support. I already have an Apple Macbook Air M1 and many Apple products. I want to get a Mac Mini to replace the desktop, but keep hearing limitations due to the NAND used on the base models. Others have said the M2 overcomes that... Not a power user but do lots of note taking and home stuff. What would you recommend?

Were you paid to write this? just curious, because other videos say to stay away!! :) Can you help a little? The link you provided for the M2 on Amazon for $599 (Apple 2023 Mac Mini Desktop Computer M2 chip with 8‑core CPU and 10‑core GPU, 8GB Unified Memory, 256GB SSD Storage, Gigabit Ethernet. Works with iPhone/iPad) ...would this work well with people using the full Adobe creative suite? I actually use the Affinity Suite but it has the same usage needs. Thanks, Rebecca

This is like a shopping channel...Buy a Mac M2 mini but what we haven't told you is all the other expenses you need to buy once you've got the bloody thing!!!

Since you seem to use both a Mac and PC, do you think you can get a better PC for the same price of the base Mac mini? Or the 16gb Mac mini? At around 899$?

I need it for video editing an music production is this better as a windows pc.

m2 vs m2pro???? which should i buy

Love you, dad.

Hello All, my old late 2012 Mac mini with 16gb ram crashed and I make music using logic all the time. Should I opt for the 16gb version M2 or can I get away with the 8GB Ram version???

If your not running space command this will be fine for 98% of users. It’s the storage that sucks.

Does anyone know if the m2 base model is good enough to run projects on Unity, if so, how big can the project get before the framerate comes down to 30fps, 20fps and 10fps

between this and refurbished base m1 mac mini, what would you recommend?

You can beat the $599 mac mini by getting education pricing. :) As for the high end....pay for the m2 pro and toss in RAM. Then just use an external hard drive since the firewire speed is as good or better. The Apple machines are damn nice right now, and what to buy was really tough. I ended up getting a Mac Mini M2 with 16 GB Ram, but M2 Pro with more ports, more SSD space, a better CPU, and able to handle a 3rd monitor for $500 was really tempting. Of course, I'd toss on the 10 GB ethernet, so $600.

Just gotta tell ya North and South Dakota ain't got taxes either.

thanks!

To anyone thinking about buying one and upgrading to 10Gb Port. Remember, 99% of people do not have network equipment that is compatible with 10Gb.
Even the ones that do have compatible equipment, usually only have 1 or 2 aspects that are compatible..Like a high end NAS with a 10Gb port, or a router with 1 or 2 SFP+ ports.
Cool option, but basically useless at this point in time for almost anyone that is going to buy one of these.

Anyone knows where i can purchase get asus g14 battery

Do not buy the cheapest M2 Mac mini. Seriously.... if you're just going to surf the internet, type a doc or sign some pdf's, then I guess. But if you're a creator, strongly suggest you upgrade the memory and the SSD. Bump memory from 8 to 16gb and the ssd from 256 to 512. Much more worth it. If you're a serious 8k video freak kind of creator then I suggest the M2 Pro. Buy nice or buy. twice. Don't be a cheap a$$.

599 mac mini is far above every other competitor in that price range even if you add the expense for the accessories, but the M2 pro is much better than the base, most people don’t need that extra power and the extra expense.

Just to let you know your end screen isn’t up. Great video though!

so I just have a small quick question ... will we ever get any EDD camera reviews again?

M2 (not pro) 16GB 512GB - Will this work well for 4K Video editing in Adobe Premiere? 15-20 minute films.. that's my question :o

Not so sure you can edit 4k on this machine ... I can't on mine M2 with 16GB of RAM ...

You can build more powerful PC for the same pricetag. But it will be bigger, have Windows ... and is not that cute :D.

super cool to see this price but I can't even see any need to upgrade from my m1 mac mini base anytime in the next 3 years or longer!! I edit photos and a little bit of video edits for social media content and use figma + do regular webstuff streaming etc and have yet to feel like I need more computer!!

I went with the M2 Pro . Needed more cores for music .