Expert’s Rating
Pros
Cons
Our Verdict
The Mac mini no longer makes any compromise when it come to focal ratio . The M1 in the new Mac mini provides frightful performance at a unvoiced - to - beat price .
Apple ’s bestselling Macs are its laptops , theMacBook Airand theMacBook Pro . So it seems logical for Apple to debut its newM1 system on a chipin these machines . But Apple also decided to use the M1 in the Mac mini . Two years after its last update , the Mac mini became the first desktop Mac to sport Apple ’s SoC.
After having tested the M1 Mac mini , one matter is absolutely clear : at $ 699 , the M1 Mac miniskirt is a wonderful value . You get so much bang for your buck that it ’s a trivial hard to fathom , especially for anyone who has invested in Mac minis in the past . You await to make compromises in performance for the Leontyne Price being pay . Not here . Not any longer .
Results are expressed in Geekbench scores. Higher scores/longer bars are better.
This review takes a nosedive into the $ 699 Mac miniskirt , which has an 8 - core M1 SoC with an 8 - heart GPU and 8 GB of RAM . This model also includes a 256 GB SSD .
Before we plunk into the performance resultant role , let ’s lecture a minuscule about why this Mac mini is so tight . It ’s because of the M1 .
M1: System on a Chip
Processor changes are not new to the Mac . In the mid nineties , Apple switched from Motorola 68000 processors to the PowerPC . In 2005 , Appleannouncedthe conversion from PowerPC to Intel processors . Now , in 2020 , Apple has started the two - twelvemonth operation to switch from Intel chip to its own . But why should you wish ?
Apple does n’t just switch chips for no near understanding . There are a lot of ground why Apple wants to throw , and for you , the drug user , the understanding are in effect . Apple wants to make hardware and software with features that ca n’t be attain without key changes . certainly , Apple benefits business - wise by controlling as much as it can , but if Apple really did n’t care about the evolution of the Mac ( as some longtime users believe , because iPhone ) , it would n’t make this change .
Apple calls the M1 a organisation on a chip ( SoC ) . Before the M1 , Macs had freestanding chips for the processors , nontextual matter , RAM , controllers , and more . Those components are now brought together on a single chip ( the RAM is technically disjoined microprocessor chip on the same package ) . And Apple is n’t really new to all of this . They ’ve been get SoCs for the iPhone and iPad for year . If you require to learn more about the M1 and why an SoC makes Macs so tight , readthis overview about the M1 SoC.
Results are expressed in Geekbench scores. Higher scores/longer bars are better.
One thing that I should plow specifically about the SoC is its memory board . The M1 is offered with either 8 Gbit or 16 GB of RAM , and if you desire 32 GB or 64 GB , you have to invest in the Intel - based model — or wait and see if Apple will release a SoC with more memory . The amount of retentivity is a concern for many users , especially for anyone who utilize professional product package . In my experience with the 8 GB M1 Mac mini , I was n’t able to slow the machine down as I used it in during my typical workday . We have a separatearticle that explain how memory works in the M1 , and that it ’s clock time to rethink our retentivity requirements because of Apple ’s Unified Memory Architecture .
Mac mini performance benchmarks
We turn tail several benchmarks to gauge the performance of the M1 Mac miniskirt . For compare , we also tested 2018 3.6GHz quadriceps - core Intel Core i3 Mac miniskirt , which trade for $ 799 when it was released . This is the Mac that the M1 example supervene upon in Apple ’s lineup .
Results are expressed in Geekbench scores . Higher heaps / longer bars are full .
TheGeekbench 5benchmark is beneficial gauge for overall carrying out . The M1 Mac mini nearly double over the single - core CPU consequence of the Core i3 Mac miniskirt , and it more than doubled the operation in multi - core examination . The Modern Mac mini makes the honest-to-god Mac mini spirit , well , old .
Results are expressed in Geekbench scores. Higher scores/longer bars are better.
solvent are evince in Cinebench scores . gamy scores / longer parallel bars are serious .
Another way to estimate carrying into action is by looking at benchmark results fromCinebench R23 . This app does CPU - found ray draw rendition , so while it ’s of interest to creative professional , it ’s a good way to appraise performance in a product environs . Again , we see another multi - core result from the M1 Mac miniskirt that ’s more than twice that of the previous Mac mini . The single - core resultant is telling , too , with a 60 percent increase .
We turn again to Cinebench in our next test , but this time with version R20 , which was write only for Intel processors . In this type , the M1 Mac miniskirt runs the app using Rosetta2 , Apple ’s code - displacement computer software that allows Intel - optimized apps to track down on Apple Si . And it still outperforms the quondam Mac miniskirt , with a 44 percent growth in multi - core examination ! The single - core result is a little more subdued , point an 8 percent increase .
Results are expressed in Cinebench scores. Higher scores/longer bars are better.
The benchmarks show that the Mac mini is tight , but even the wide-eyed task that you do on the computer all the time feel tight . possible action and shutting widow , alerts and notifications , and even waken for eternal rest have a snap to them . Safari benefit a lot from the upgrade to macOS Big Sur and the M1 — webpage rendition and scrolling are much debauched .
In addition to the benchmark , I time a pair of app – based tasks to see what the difference is like . With iMovie , an exportation of a 32 - second television with simple transitions and an opening night deed took 129 seconds to export as a 720p TV file . That same exportation use up what seems by comparison like an torturous 252 seconds on the old Mac mini . In GarageBand , I did an export of a 42 - minute Macworld Podcast to a 256k MP3 file , and the improvement was n’t as big — the M1 Mac mini was 10 percentage quicker than the previous Mac mini .
Apple apps such as iMovie are optimized to take vantage of the M1 .
Results are expressed in Cinebench scores. Higher scores/longer bars are better.
Mac mini graphics performance
A major longtime issue with the Mac mini is that the car traditionally has been a lackluster graphics performer . It relied on Intel unified artwork and provided enough execution for everyday usage , but seek to do anything more demanding , and you find out quick that the Mac mini suffered . Apple also did n’t update the Mac mini as often as other Macs ( the last update before this one was in 2018 , andthatupdate replaced a four - twelvemonth old card ) . So over time , as software package becomes more demanding , the Mac mini did n’t keep pace .
That all changes with the M1 Mac mini . In the tests we perform , the young model is a dazzling nontextual matter performer . And here ’s the thing : most of the benchmarks we run were done using non - native app program , and the Mac mini still provide high framerates and score .
We ran the built - in benchmarks forRise of the Tomb RaiderandCivilization VI , both of which are running on the M1 Mac mini in emulation . And just take a look at the skeleton rates in the charts below . I repeat , this isin emulation . The sure-enough Mac miniskirt is an embarrassment compared to the M1 Mac miniskirt .
Apple apps such as iMovie are optimized to take advantage of the M1.
result are frames per second . Higher scores / foresightful bars are practiced .
Geekbench 5 is a Universal app , and its Compute benchmark tests the GPU , using either the OpenCL or Metal art fabric . And the results here are comical . The old Mac mini barely even registers compared to the M1 Mac mini .
result are expressed in Geekbench scores . Higher results / long bars are better .
Results are frames per second. Higher scores/longer bars are better.
If you have an old Mac mini , and the CPU carrying into action is n’t enough to sway you to upgrade , then these graphics results should give you the last thrust .
Mac mini design, ports, and display support
Apple did n’t change the design of the Mac mini . It still has a compact , aluminum 7.7 x 7.7 x 1.4 case , and its size of it make it idea for unequaled situations where outer space is at a premium , whether it is on a desk , used for creative installations , or pile with other Mac minis for a server farm . But the Apple atomic number 14 models are available only in silver , while the Intel - equipped Mac miniskirt comes in space Gy .
Apple still offers an Intel Mac miniskirt , which is usable only in distance gray ( left ) . The M1 Mac mini come in silver gray .
Besides the colors , there are major difference with the supplied port . The M1 Mac mini has only two Thunderbolt / USB 4 ports , while the Intel good example has four Thunderbolt 3 / USB - C ports . You may want a hub for the M1 Mac miniskirt . Both role model have an HDMI 2.0 embrasure , two USB - A port , a gigabit ethernet jackfruit , and a headphone jack .
Results are frames per second. Higher scores/longer bars are better.
Another issue with the M1 Mac mini is its show backing . Here ’s what to consider :
M1 Mac miniskirt : Can hold up to two exhibit , one 6 honey oil ( at 60Hz ) display connected to Thunderbolt , and one 4 1000 ( at 60Hz ) connected to HDMI 2.0
Intel Mac mini :
Results are expressed in Geekbench scores. Higher results/longer bars are better.
Can support up to three display , with two displays both at 4096×2304 answer ( 60Hz ) get in touch via Thunderbolt , and one video display at 4096×2160 resolution ( 60Hz ) plug into via HDMI 2.0
Or two display , one at 5120×2880 resolution ( 60Hz ) unite via Thunderbolt 3 , and one display at 4096×2160 resolution ( 60Hz ) connected via HDMI 2.0
Most mass expend one or two displays , but a good number use three ( creative professionals , data analyst ) . If you ca n’t live without a third display , then the M1 Mac miniskirt is n’t for you . You have to get the Intel model .
Apple still offers an Intel Mac mini, which is available only in space gray (left). The M1 Mac mini comes in silver.
The M1 Mac mini ( top ) has two few Thunderbolt / USB - vitamin C larboard than the Intel - based model ( bottom ) .
Bottom line
The Mac miniskirt is pop because it ’s Apple most low-cost background Mac , and also because its size gives it versatility , make it a good political machine to apply in a variety of position . But it was to the miserable tier up of the Mac card when it came to performance .
With the M1 organisation on a chip , that ’s no longer the case . The young $ 699 M1 Mac mini blow mighty past its harbinger , the 3.6GHz quad - core Intel Core i3 Mac mini , and leave it in the detritus . In fact , establish on our benchmarks , the new M1 Mac miniskirt ’s performance mirror that of thenew 13 - column inch M1 MacBook Pro .
It ’s unfortunate that the M1 Mac mini has only two Thunderbolt / USB-4 ports , which means you may have to bribe a hub . And the presentation restriction may do into play for you . But even with those confinement , the Mac miniskirt ends up being the best value the right way now in Apple ’s Mac lineup . The Mac miniskirt may be small in stature , but it ’s a giant when it comes to performance .
The M1 Mac mini (top) has two fewer Thunderbolt/USB-C ports than the Intel-based model (bottom).
