Mac mini M4/M4 Pro (2024) vs Mac Studio M2 Max/Ultra : le comparatif complet

The 2024 Mac mini M4 has succeeded in making its case even smaller compared to previous generations. It comes armed with the M4 chip or its Pro version. For its part, the Mac Studio M2, launched in 2023, is available in two versions: M2 Max and M2 Ultra. These two boxes contain more than enough to support many demanding tasks. The following question then arises:which of the two is best suited to your needs?Here is a comparison to help you decide.

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Housing and design

Design

We could say that the Mac mini M4 is the little brother of the Mac Studio M2 in terms of design. The case displays the same aluminum dress and the same shape. Only the dimensions change, and the location of the ignition button. The latter isunder the casefor the Mac mini, while for the Mac Studio, it isat the back.

Dimensions and weight

• Mac Studio M2: 9.5 cm high, 19.7 cm wide, 19.7 cm deep, 2.7 kg (M2 Max) or 3.6 kg (M2 Ultra)
• Mac mini M4: 5 cm high, 12.7 cm wide, 12.7 cm deep, 0.67 kg (M4) or 0.73 kg (M4 Pro)

The Mac mini is the champion of discretion, with its small format and featherweight. Ideal if you are looking for a machine that can be forgotten on your desk. The Mac Studio combines power and compact format. Although more imposing than the Mac mini, it will easily find its place in your workspace.

Components and performance

Processor

• Mac Studio M2 Max: M2 Max chip with 12 CPU cores and 38 GPU cores, 16-core Neutral Engine
• Mac Studio M2 Ultra: M2 Ultra chip with 24 CPU cores and 76 GPU cores, Neutral Engine 32 cores
• Mac mini M4: M4 chip with 10 CPU cores and 10 GPU cores, Neutral Engine 16 cores
• Mac mini M4 Pro: M4 Pro chip with 14 CPU cores and 20 GPU cores, 16-core Neutral Engine

If you're looking for peak power, the Mac Studio is clearly the machine of choice. The M2 Ultra version impresses with its 24 CPU cores and 76 GPU cores, enough to effortlessly execute extremely demanding tasks. Even the more reasonable M2 Max model already offers very solid performance. For its part, the Mac mini M4, more modest, but still very capable, is an excellent alternative, even more so in the M4 Pro version.

Video

• Mac Studio M2: hardware acceleration for H.264, HEVC, ProRes and ProRes RAW, 2 video decode engines, 4 video encode engines, 4 ProRes encode and decode engines
• Mac mini M4: hardware acceleration for H.264, HEVC, ProRes and ProRes RAW, video decode engine, video encode engine, ProRes encode and decode engine, AV1 decode

For video management, both ranges are effective. But the Mac Studio takes a small advantage. Its multiple encoding and decoding engines allow ultra-fast work on demanding formats like ProRes or ProRes RAW. The Mac mini remains competent, but is limited to a single engine. On the other hand, it offers AV1 decoding which the Mac Studio M2 does not support.

Memory

• Mac Studio M2 Max: 3 options, 32 Go, 64 Go, 96 Go
• Mac Studio M2 Ultra: 3 options, 64 Go, 128 Go, 192 Go
• Mac mini M4: 3 options, 16 Go, 24 Go, 32 Go
• Mac mini M4 Pro: 3 options, 24 Go, 48 Go, 64 Go

If memory is an essential criterion for you, the Mac Studio allows you to opt for the largest capacities.With up to 192 GBon the Ultra version, you have everything you need for uncompromising use. Mac minis are more limited in RAM, but more than sufficient for ordinary needs, remember.

Storage

• Mac Studio M2 Max: 5 options, 512 Go, 1 To, 2 To, 4 To, 8 To
• Mac Studio M2 Ultra: 4 options, 1 To, 2 To, 4 To, 8 To
• Mac mini M4 :4 options, 256 Go, 512 Go, 1 To, 2 To
• Mac mini M4 Pro :5 options, 512 Go, 1 To, 2 To, 4 To, 8 To

In terms of capacity, the Mac Studio M2 and Mac mini M4 Pro offer similar options, with up to 8TB of disk space. Enough to meet significant storage needs. The Mac mini M4 only has 2 TB, which is more than suitable for typical use.

Screen and connections

Screen

• Mac Studio M2: up to 8 screens with M2 Ultra, up to 5 screens with M2 Max
• Mac mini M4: support for 3 displays

For multi-screen management,the Mac Studio once again shows its superiority. The M2 Ultra can connect up to eight 4K displays, six 6K displays, or even three 8K displays. The M2 Max, a little less ambitious, allows you to connect up to five screens. For its part, the Mac mini M4 remains efficient with support forthree screens.

Ports

• Mac Studio M2 Max: 4 ports Thunderbolt 4, 2 ports USB-A, 2 ports USB-C, 1 port HDMI, 10 Gigabit Ethernet, Lecteur de carte SDXC (UHS-II)
• Mac Studio M2 Ultra: 6 ports Thunderbolt 4, 2 ports USB-A, 1 port HDMI, 10 Gigabit Ethernet, Lecteur de carte SDXC (UHS-II)
• Mac mini M4: 3 ports Thunderbolt 4, 2 ports USB-C, 1 port HDMI, Ethernet (Gigabit ou 10 Gigabit en option)
  Mac mini M4 Pro: 3 ports Thunderbolt 5, 2 ports USB-C, 1 port HDMI, Ethernet (Gigabit ou 10 Gigabit en option)

The connection options are a strong point of the Mac Studio M2, especially in the Ultra version. You get six Thunderbolt 4 ports, two USB-A ports, and an SDXC card reader, in addition to a10 Gigabit port as standard. The M2 Max is slightly less generous, with just four Thunderbolt 4 ports, but with two USB-C ports absent on the Ultra model. The Mac minis are more sober, but efficient: the M4 offers three Thunderbolt 4 ports, while the M4 Pro benefits from Thunderbolt 5. In both cases, the 10 Gigabit port is optional.

Prix

Mac Mini M4

• Configuration de base M4 :8 GB of RAM + 256 GB of storage + M4 chip (10-core CPU and 10-core GPU) at €699
• Memory options:€230 extra for 16 GB, €460 extra for 24 GB
• Storage options:€230 extra for 512 GB SSD, €460 extra for 1 TB, €920 extra for 2 TB
• Additional options:port Ethernet 10 Gb pour 115 €

Mac Mini M4 Pro

• Configuration de base M4 Pro :24 GB of RAM + 512 GB of storage + M4 Pro chip (12-core CPU and 16-core GPU) at €1,649
• Memory options:€460 extra for 48 GB and €690 extra for 64 GB
• Storage options:€230 extra for 1TB, €690 extra for 2TB, €1,380 extra for 4TB, and €2,760 extra for 8TB
• Additional options:10 Gb Ethernet port for €115, M5 Pro 14-core CPU chip, 20-core GPU for €230

Mac Studio M2 Max

• Configuration de base M2 Max :32 GB of RAM + 512 GB of storage + M2 Max chip (12-core CPU and 30-core GPU) at €2,399
• Memory options:€460 extra for 64 GB
• Storage options:€230 extra for 1TB, €690 extra for 2TB SSD, €1,380 extra for 4TB, €2,760 extra for 8TB

Mac Studio M2 Ultra

• Configuration de base M2 Ultra :64 GB of RAM + 1 TB of storage + M2 Ultra chip (24-core CPU and 60-core GPU) at €4,799
• Memory options:€920 extra for 128 GB, €1,840 extra for 192 GB
• Storage options:€460 extra for 2TB, €1,150 extra for 4TB, €2,530 extra for 8TB

The Mac Mini M4 starts at699 €. Which makes it an entry-level computer with excellent value for money for standard needs. It is possible to adjust the memory and storage, but be careful, the options can quickly increase the price. Starting at €1,649, the Mac Mini M4 Pro offers more power with higher memory and storage configurations. A good compromise for those looking for more performance.

The Mac Studio M2 Max is a high-end option starting at2 399 €. Finally, the Mac Studio M2 Ultra, starting at €4,799, is the most powerful solution. This PC is designed for users with particularly demanding needs. You can add Final Cut Pro (for €349.99) and Logic Pro (for €229.99) software to all models.

Mac Studio M2 vs Mac mini M4, which one to choose?

The choice between the Mac mini M4 and the Mac Studio M2 depends mainly on your needs and your budget. If you are looking for an accessible model for common tasks, the Mac mini M4 seems to be the ideal option. The Mac mini M4 Pro is worth considering if you realizeheavy tasks regularly.

The Mac Studio, even if its chip is older than that of the Mac mini taken into account here,maintains the advantage for everything related to graphics and screen. With a GPU with twice as many cores as the Mac mini M4, the Mac Studio M2 is much more comfortable for visual creation. Even more so if you want to connect many screens to it.

Forspecific casestherefore, the Mac Studio is the machine of choice. But for the majority of general public users and even for a good number of professionals, at a lower cost, the Mac mini M4 Pro more than does the job, as does its M4 variant which has the best quality-price ratio on the market.