Specifications, price and reviews on the Mac mini M2 / M2 Pro (2024)

The Mac mini 2024 in brief:

• no screen
• macOS Ventura
• design compact
• high performance M2 or M2 Pro chip
• from 699 euros

1 – Performances

The 2024 Mac mini is configurable with either an M2 chip or an M2 Pro chip (the latter is faster). The user can also choose the amount of RAM and the data transfer speed of the Ethernet port. The choices cannot be modified after purchase.

M2

The M2 chip is the one with the thinnest technical characteristics. These, however, remain relatively high-end in their sector, since we can count on an eight-core CPU here, coupled with a graphics card with ten cores. The whole thing is also supported by an artificial intelligence engine, the Neural Engine, with no less than sixteen cores on the clock.

M2 Pro

More power on the CPU side means a Mac mini that will be faster when you run several fairly power-hungry programs at the same time. This is why it is sometimes useful to opt instead for the Mac mini M2 Pro, which is entitled to two more CPU cores or even four with an option for 345 euros. Respectively, these two selections are associated with a GPU with sixteen or nineteen cores. The M2 Pro chip therefore also offers better results than the classic M2 chip for everything related to image display: video editing, FPS games, photo editing, etc.

RAM

The RAM on Mac minis is soldered to the rest of the motherboard, whether it's the M2 or the M2 Pro. For the M2 Pro chip, it will be 16 GB of unified memory at least, or 32 GB adding 460 euros to your bill. Clearly, it's much too expensive, especially since Windows desktop computer brands offer slots for empty strips at no extra cost, with parts three times cheaper from third-party sellers.

For the Mac mini 2024 with M2 chip, the base version only includes 8 GB of RAM. You have to pay +230 euros to double this number.

Wireless networks

The Mac mini M2 is compatible with Wi-Fi 6E, the speed of which is faster than the previous generation, which was offered on the Mac mini 2020. Bluetooth also has an improved speed compared to the Mac mini M1, since here in its 5.3 version which consumes little electricity.

Thanks to Wi-Fi, users can also send files to each other via AirDrop, Apple's proprietary sending system. We just regret that it is not compatible with smartphones and tablets from other manufacturers.

2 – Mac mini M2 operating system

The Mac mini M2 is powered bymacOS Ventura, proprietary software designed by Applealso.

Our opinion on the interface

macOS Ventura, which regularly offers updates with the arrival of new features, has been designed as an easy-to-use operating system. The UI is accessible to everyone and is suitable for both young people and more experienced developers. Apple recently revised the design of the icons for greater clarity, and above all better harmony with the rest of its devices (iPhone and iPad).

On a daily basis, we appreciate the fluidity of macOS, which is entitled to a new major version every year. On the other hand, the layout of the menus and the wording could be revised to better suit the general public: the differences with Windows can be really blocking for a novice.

Available apps

The Mac mini 2024, beyond their technical characteristics, comes with dozens of in-house apps. First for productivity with Pages (word processing), Numbers (spreadsheet), Keynote (presentations) or Reminders (task management). But we will especially appreciate all the apps also available on iPhone for owners of these mobiles, whose content is synchronized directly with them. This is particularly the case for the Calendar, Notes, Photos images or even Messages and series and films viewed on Apple TV.

Apple has also thought about creators, with GarageBand (music production), iMovie (video editing) and Photo Booth (filters for selfies). Finally, for entertainment, it will be possible to listen to shows with Podcasts or download millions of third-party apps via the App Store. These are checked by Apple teams to verify that no Trojan horses are hidden there, and that is a real plus.

macOS Ventura: focus on security

However, these limitations imposed on publishers can also pose problems in the long term. In fact, it is becoming more and more difficult to install apps via sideloading, that is to say coming from the web directly, without going through the App Store. Forget, for example, downloading torrent software without technical knowledge.

With the Mac mini M2, Apple has made the security of personal data its main focus. Privacy is at the heart of the device's value proposition. Which, of course, can also be very beneficial for Internet users, especially when you know that all data saved with iCloud is end-to-end encrypted. This applies to photos, voice memos, messages and even notes.

3 – Takes and sound

On the edge of the Mac mini, you will find the power socket as well as an Ethernet socket. This offers a throughput of around GB per second in normal times, but for 115 euros you have the possibility of multiplying this score by ten. With this, know that the Mac mini M2 offers two USB-A ports and two USB-C ports. On the Mac mini 2024 with M2 Pro chip, it's a little different: the number of USB-C ports increases to four.

Finally, for sound and image, note that the Mac mini M2 and the Mac mini M2 Pro also include a jack (3.5 mm) and an HDMI plug. No SD card reader like onMacBook Pro 2024, However. This is a real shame, especially for drone enthusiasts or digital camera owners.

4 – Accessories

What screens for the Mac mini 2024?

The Mac mini is a simple central processing unit; no screen is provided in the box. So you have to buy one separately, or use a monitor you already have at home.

Via the HDMI socket, you can connect a panel up to 8K at 60 frames per second or up to 4K at 240 frames per second. The USB-C plugs are also Thunderbolt 4 compatible and you can therefore also connect an external monitor. At most, the Mac mini M2 supports two external displays. The Mac mini M2 Pro does a little better with up to three panels.

Please note: the technical characteristics also change depending on the model. For example, with the Mac mini M2, it is not possible to reach 8K: the HDMI plug is limited to 4K. Remember to find out when ordering your equipment, otherwise you risk finding yourself in a bad situation with an incompatible screen. To avoid this, you can also turn primarily to Apple products, such as the Studio Display.

No keyboard or mouse

The Mac mini M2 also doesn't come with a keyboard or mouse. Once again, it's up to you to create your own workstation. Apple still offers its own solutions, including the Magic Trackpad for the touchpad, the Magic Mouse for the laser mouse or even different models of Magic Keyboard for keyboards with scissor mechanism keys.

Mac mini M2 : alimentation

The official technical specifications of the Mac mini M2, however, ensure that a charging cable is always supplied with the computer. The power cord is black and with a plastic sheath. It is therefore quite fragile, we would have preferred a braided coating. If you have a rabbit at home, you will need to be very careful, or even opt for additional protection.

5 – A compact design that we like

The look of the Mac mini 2024

Apple is aiming for zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2030 and proves it with its Mac mini. Indeed, it is coated with a completely recycled aluminum shell, which is rare enough to mention. Recycled materials are also present in the structure: plastic, gold, tin, rare earths.

The design of the Mac mini M2 has been the same for a long time and doesn't really change with this version. We are treated to a sort of thin rounded square, gray in color and with the Apple logo at the top. On one side, a small light indicates that the computer is on and on the other, we find all the sockets and the fan. This is not very practical, because this means that either you will have the power supply in front of you on your desk, or you will have to plug in the USB keys behind it. Or, install the Mac mini M2 aside, which is perhaps the most practical in the end.

Dimensions et masse

The technical characteristics of the case change a little depending on the model chosen. As the Mac mini M2 Pro has a larger processor, it is also heavier.

Mac mini M2s are 3.58 cm high and measure 19.7 cm on each side. For the basic version, the weight is around 1.18 kg while the M2 Pro version takes around 100 grams more on the scale.

6 – Price, internal storage and availability

• Mac mini M2 with 8 GB of RAM, Gigabit Ethernet port and 256 GB SSD: 699 euros (basic version)
• Mac mini M2 Pro with 16 GB of RAM, Gigabit Ethernet port and 512 GB SSD: 1,549 euros (basic version)
• Mac mini M2 with 24 GB of RAM, 10 Gigabit Ethernet port and 2 TB SSD: 2,194 euros (maximum configuration)
• Mac mini M2 Pro with better processor, 32 GB of RAM, 10 Gigabit Ethernet port and 8 TB SSD: 5,114 euros (maximum configuration)

The Mac mini M2 Pro is only available from 512 GB of internal storage and up to 8 TB (+ 2,760 euros). The improved processor costs 345 euros more. For the Mac mini M2, internal storage starts at 256 GB but does not exceed 2 TB.

7 – Our opinion: the Mac mini M2 is the best desktop Mac, but not for everyone

Whenour colleagues fromPresse-citron.nettested the device in real conditions, this one will have obtained the overall score of 8.7/10, which is rather good. Among its strong points, we note unrivaled power for such an affordable price from Apple, beyond our expectations. The compact format will also make people happy, not to mention that the cooling is quite discreet even at full power.

The only downside: the Mac mini M2 lacks more attractive technical features in terms of connectivity, and the options for buying a screen from Apple are still far too expensive. The Mac mini M2 Pro does a little better, especially with the 10 Gigabit Ethernet port, but professionals will perhaps wait for the next generation.