The M1 chip has revolutionized the Mac market and the Mac mini, Macbook Air and Macbook Pro have been the first Apple computers to have this long-awaited novelty by many users. Here we will take a look at the smallest desktop of all, the Mac mini. Many of the potential buyers of this device surely have the great doubt of which of the two models is more worth buying, if the model with Intel or M1 chip. Well, let’s compare them and draw some conclusions.
The unexpected prominence of the Mac mini
Historically we could classify the Mac mini as the entry-level Mac to Apple’s desktop range, however, it has always been overshadowed in sales by the Macbook Air, especially for one issue, and that is that apart from acquiring the Mac mini, We also had to get hold of the corresponding accessories such as the screen, keyboard and mouse or trackpad. In fact, many users did not even have the Mac mini as an interesting or potential option when acquiring a Mac, an Apple computer, and relegated it to fulfill the function of a device focused solely and exclusively on the storage and playback of multimedia content, almost like a second Apple TV.
There have been moments in which the continuity of this device has been very questionable, many doubted the future of this Mac, however, with the arrival of the M1 Chip, the Mac mini has been reborn, has been resurrected and has taken on a leading role that many did not expect.
We have to remember that the Mac mini was the first Apple computer to have the Chip manufactured by the Cupertino company itself, since this was the one chosen by Apple to be delivered in the so-called “Developer Transition Kit” to developers for initiate the transition of many applications to the, now, Chip M1 and all the Macs that mount it. Therefore, we must give the historical importance it deserves to this device.
Without a doubt, of the three Macs that mount the M1 chip, let us remember, Mac mini, Macbook Air and Macbook Pro, we can say that the most benefited, in terms of prominence, has undoubtedly been the Mac mini, since it has become to place, on its own merits, a real option for those who think of acquiring a computer with the apple.
Mac mini with an Intel chip or Mac mini with an Apple chip? These are their differences
computing
This will surely be the most differential point between the two, the one that will make you opt for one option or another. In case we want to opt for the Mac mini with M1 Chip, this is the only option, the M1 Chip, which has an 8-core CPU divided into 4 for performance and 4 for efficiency, 8-core GPU and Neural Engine of 16 cores.
Now, if, on the other hand, we want to opt for our computer to mount an Intel chip, we can choose up to 3 different options, which have an Intel UHD Graphics 630:
- Intel Core i3 4-core 3.6 GHz.
- Intel Core i5 6-core 3 GHz.
- 3.3 GHz 6-core Intel Core i7.
As we mentioned, this will be the point that potential buyers take the most into account when choosing one option or another. If we opt for the Mac mini with M1 Chip we have to take into account that the performance will be much higher than the option with Intel Chip, which on the other hand, guarantees that all applications will be compatible and can work on your computer. This being the main handicap of the Apple Chip option, although we are verifying that most applications have no problem working on Macs with M1.
RAM
In Mac mini with M1 Chip we have two options:
- 8 GB
- 16 GB
In the Mac mini with Intel Chip we have up to 4 configurations:
- 8 GB
- 16 GB
- 32 GB
- 64 GB
Numerically we find differences, but we have to bear in mind that Mac mini with Apple M1 chip do not need as much memory to perform even better than Mac mini with M1 Chip, hence Apple does not offer to go up to 32 or 64 Gb.
Capacity
In this section we find subtle differences between the two, offering the following capabilities:
- 256GB SSD only on Mac mini with M1 Chip.
- 512GB SSD.
- 1 TB SSD.
- 2 TB SSD.
screen
Given that the Mac mini with M1 Chip is superior in performance compared to the Mac mini with Intel Chip, in this section of the comparison we also find some differences.
If we opt for the Mac mini with M1 we have the possibility of connecting our computer to a monitor up to 6K and 4K at the same time. On the other hand, with Intel’s option, the maximum it reaches is to have three 4K monitors at the same time or a 5K monitor and another 4K monitor simultaneously.
Dimensions and weight
Both Mac mini are practically the same in dimensions and weight, they reach 3.6 cm high, 19.7 cm wide, with a 19.7 cm depth, however, the option with the M1 chip weighs 1, 2 Kg and the Intel option 1.3 Kg, a surely invaluable difference.
Audio
Both the M1-powered and Intel-powered Mac mini feature a speaker, 3.5mm headphone jack, and an HDMI 2.0 port that supports multi-channel audio output.
Wireless connection
The Mac mini offers a 6th generation Wi-Fi 802.11ax connection over the 802.11ac Wi-Fi connection offered by the Intel Chip option. In addition, both have Bluetooth 5.0 wireless technology.
Ports
Here again, we again find some substantial difference as the Mac mini with M1 has only two Thunderbolt / USB 4 ports, while the Mac mini with Intel Chip has four Thunderbolt 3 (USB-C) ports. Both offer two USB-A ports, HDMI 2.0 port and Gigabit Ethernet, at Intel’s option, it can be 10 GB as an option.
Price
If we go to the most basic model of both, we find the Mac mini with M1 Chip at a price of 799 Euros. In this case we have M1 Chip, eight-core CPU, 8-core GPU, 8 GB of unified memory and 256 GB of SSD storage.
If we go to the Intel option, we start with an Intel Core i5 chip with 6 cores at 3 GHz with Intel UHD Graphics 630, 8 GB of memory and 512 GB of SSD storage, all for 1259 Euros.
The prices of both options may vary depending on whether we choose to customize the configuration of both devices.
What is the most recommended option?
As always, the most recommended option will vary depending on the needs and demands of the user, if he is going to use this Mac mini for work, first of all he should make sure that the applications he needs to use every day are compatible and work correctly with it. Mac mini with Apple M1 Chip, if not, the option is very clear, Mac mini with Intel Chip, otherwise, the most recommended purchase is also clear, Mac mini with M1 Chip since the performance that This offers far exceeds that offered by these same models with Intel Chip.