Mac Pro vs Mac mini M2 / M2 Pro (2023): comparison of Apple computers without screen

More and more people prefer to buy a laptop than adesktop computer, to be able to take it everywhere with them or simply save money. But in fact, there are stationary versions like the Mac mini that are affordable and relatively compact. Conversely, behemoths like the Mac Pro are of direct interest to businesses or those looking for unfailing power. So let's detail, with supporting figures and images, the similarities and differences between the Mac Pro and the Mac mini.

Performances

Processor: Mac mini vs Mac Pro

Let's start with what will probably be the most notable: the performance, precisely. We indeed find ourselves with different choices of processors between the Mac Pro and the Mac mini. The first, in its basic version, benefits from an Intel Xeon W CPU clocked at 3.5 GHz, equipped with eight cores for sixteen threads. Its Turbo Boost reaches 4 GHz, without blinking. Everything comes with 24.5 MB of cache memory, while supporting the 2666 MHz frequency. But if you choose to pay the price, then it is also possible to opt for a 28-core processor this time capable of reaching 4.4 GHz. In total, these arefive different CPU choiceswhich are offered by Apple for its Mac Pro.

The Mac mini, for him, runs withthe brand new Apple M2 chip. With the latter, Cupertino chooses to rely on a proprietary design for the benefit of a subcontracting contract with the Taiwanese TSMC. The result is an octa-core component with Neural Engine, sometimes up to twice as efficient as the previous generation of Mac mini. Good to know: Apple also offers a version of the Mac mini from 2023 with the ten-core M2 Pro chip). The benchmarks all show that this processor is much faster than that of the Mac mini M2, even ifthe Mac Pro is still a cut above today.

Which Mac has the best RAM?

When it comes to RAM, Apple spoils us there too, whether on its Mac mini or on its Mac Pro. Users can therefore opt foreight, sixteen, twenty-four or thirty-two gigabytes of RAM on the Mac mini M2 / M2 Pro. Knowing that the 32 GB version is currently only offered to those who choose the M2 Pro option, with the Mac mini M2 which is limited to 24 GB maximum.

The Mac Pro, meanwhile, does much better than the Mac mini here. Indeed, Apple does not offer less than 32 GB as an option. You can also select a model with 48 GB, another with 96 GB and one with 192 GB of RAM. As for those who are clearly aiming for the stars, then they can also buy a Mac Pro with 384 GB, 768 GB or1,5 ToRAM! Just that.

Differences between GPUs

If we look at the graphics processors that are integrated into the Mac mini and the Mac Pro, we also realize that Apple has prepared some little surprises for us. Indeed, the Mac Pro allows, according to its manufacturer, to configure two MPX modules embeddingup to four GPUs. We then have the choice between an AMD Radeon Pro 580X, an AMD Radeon Pro W5700X, or an AMD Radeon Pro Vega II Duo: real monsters.

The Mac mini is a little more discreet when it comes to graphics. With the Mac mini M2 for example, you will have the possibility of benefiting from a ten-core graphics card for the base model or a sixteen or nineteen GPU for the model with M2 Pro chip. With this, the manufacturer announces that it has provided an encoding engine for videos.

The Apple Afterburner card

Another difference between the Mac Pro and the Mac mini in terms of performance: the Apple Afterburner card. This is not offeredonly for the Mac Pro. Still costing 2,300 euros per unit, its objective is to “revolutionize” the work of video directors, whether for the seventh art or simply for pleasure. But as you can imagine, with such a price, Apple is targeting professionals, hence the name of its tower: Mac Pro. The Afterburner card allows editing software such asFinal Cut Pro Xto accelerate their ProRes and ProRes RAW video codecs.

It is also a cardPCI Express x16, which can also affect the performance of QuickTime Player X and similar third-party applications. But be careful to find out carefully, because not all of them are supported. You should also know that the Apple Afterburner card can read up to six video streams at the same time, with 8K resolution. A figure that rises to twenty-three if we stick to 4K. Suffice to say that this is a componentdecidedly high-end. Not necessarily within the reach of all budgets, of course, but which will find devotees within the most prolific studios.

What you need to know about connectivity

There are also useful differences for our Mac Pro vs Mac mini comparison in terms of the ports integrated into the machines. In fact, the Mac Pro comes with up totwelve Thunderbolt 3 ports(USB-C) depending on the configuration chosen, but it is also possible to have less to save a few euros. There are also two old-fashioned USB-3 ports. Add to this the two 10 Gigabit Ethernet ports, and you have enough to plug in just about anything without dragging the Mac Pro.

For the Mac mini M2, it's a little different. Apple therefore offers two USB-C ports on the back of its desktop computer, compared to four for the one powered by an M2 Pro chip. With this, an HDMI port is also included for connecting external screens, while two USB-A ports are provided for possible keyboards, keys or mice. Note also the presence of an Ethernet socket, equipped with a speed reaching 10 Gb per second for a paid option. Please note that all these sockets are however located on the same side as the power supply, which is not very practical on a daily basis.

In short, if you plan to connectmultiple screens, the Mac Pro will do the job better than the Mac mini. Otherwise, the Mac mini will easily meet the imaging needs of students or families, but will be less popular in businesses.

Mac Pro and Mac mini storage

The storage options offered by Apple on its Mac Pro and Mac mini are also very different from one device to another. Let's start this part by talking about the choices offered for the Mac Pro. We start with aSSD de 256 Go, but other selections are possible: 1 TB, double, 4 TB or even8 To. On Mac mini M2, you will have the choice between a 256 GB SSD, a 512 GB SSD, a 1 TB SSD or a 2 TB SSD. With the M2 Pro chip, the internal storage starts at 512 GB (also in SSD ) and can reach 1, 2, 4 or even 8 TB for the most demanding configurations.

Design comparison

You probably noticed it at first glance: the Mac mini and the Mac Pro are very, very,very different. For starters, they're just not the same size. Thus, the Mac Pro adopts dimensions of 52.9 x 21.8 x 45 cm, compared to 3.58 x 19.7 x 19.7 cm for the Mac mini. The gap is therefore significant, and we can say without hesitation that the Mac mini is a very small computer compared to the veryimposing Mac Prothat we simply won't be able to store everywhere. The bottom line is simply that those who are fidgety will have to sacrifice performance in order to travel.

The weight is, moreover, also quite daunting when it comes to the Mac Pro, since it weighs no less than 17.6 kg. And again, this is only its rack version, becausethe tower reaches 18 kg. These are its dimensions that we were able to mention above. The Mac mini, on the other hand, weighs 1.28 kg, and fits in most backpacks or even a handbag. Some, who are looking for performance but in light mode, have an iPad with them accompanied by this famous Mac mini, almostportableasa thirteen-inch MacBook Pro.

To finish with the external appearance of the Mac Pro and Mac mini, let's take a look at the efforts made by Apple in terms ofdesignpure. It must be said, the Mac Pro is an example of oddity: it looks more like a cheese grater (we swear, some people have tried it with Emmental cheese and it works) than a serious desktop computer. In other words, you will not go unnoticed, which can be a problem in a work environment where everyone is trying to concentrate in the best possible way. Conversely, the Mac mini is more all-purpose and looks more like aApple TVvery overweight.

What Mac mini and Mac Pro have in common

Audio

It's done: our comparison was finally able to highlight all the differences between the Mac mini and the Mac Pro. But as you guessed, these two Apple computers also have a lot in common. Already, they both have the right toa single speakerfor audio output. As for the input, it takes the form of a traditional 3.5 mm jack socket. No difference in sound therefore, for our Mac mini and Mac Pro. If you're used to composing on Abletone or Fruity Loops, take that into account when making your purchasing decision.

macOS Ventura on Mac mini and Mac Pro

Both the Mac mini M2 and Mac Pro are compatible with macOS Ventura. An operating system renowned for its rock-solid stability,fastand fluid, not to mention its regular updates. Many users consider it an example of success. However, its applications are downloaded from the App Store, and it is increasingly difficult to install software from unknown sources. Important if, as a developer, you are looking for a particular testing environment. Otherwise, it will mostly be a detail.

Several dozen applications arepre-installedon the Mac mini and Mac Pro. Here is a selection:

• Photos, Apple's official image library also available on iPhone
• Livres
• iMovie, to quickly edit videos
• GarageBand, which offers the same service but for music
• Pages, a clear competitor to Microsoft Word
• Numbers, which has just stepped into the ranks of Google Sheets and Excel
• Keynote, equivalent of PowerPoint for presentations
• Reminders
• Siri, voice assistant also found on iPad tablets
• Time Machine
• Safari, the default browser known for its promises ofconfidentiality
• Mail, compatible with many email providers
• FaceTime, VoIP software criticized for not being compatible with devices other than Apple
• Messages, which syncs with iOS SMS
• Maps, mapping application like Google Maps
• Stock market, to keep up to date with the prices of your favorite stocks
• Home, control hub for the smarthome
• Dictaphone
• Notes
• Calendar
• Contacts

Let us also point out that certain platforms have asubscriptionpaid, like Music and TV+. They then offer unlimited streaming content, for 9.99 and 4.99 euros per month respectively. Here too, both Mac mini and Mac Pro are entitled to it.

Mac mini and Mac Pro accessories

The Mac mini comes with a power cord, and that's it. You will therefore needinvest in a screen, mouse and keyboardto be able to control it easily. This is not the case with the Mac Pro, since it comes with the Magic Mouse 2 and the Magic Keyboard with numeric keypad. But still without external display. Some then opt for the Pro Display XDR screen, also relatively expensive. In addition, the Mac Pro also has a one-meter-long USB-C Lightning cable, which is used to recharge its accessories. Yes, they operate on batteries, which therefore requires regular supply of energy, such asany iPhone 12In fact.

Apple also sells atouchpad, the Magic Trackpad, available as an option. The various accessories accompanying the Mac mini and the Mac Pro are often more interesting to buy at the same time as the computer, in order to benefit from a group price. But it is also possible to buy them separately: it's your choice, according to your wishes.

Price: Mac Pro vs. Mac

The Mac Pro is the most expensivefrom our comparison with the Mac mini. Its price thus starts at6 499 euros, almost ten times more thanthe Mac mini which starts at only 699 euros!But this is the price of the standing version of the Mac Pro, since its lying edition, the rack, costs 7,199 euros minimum. All this without going through the options, because with its maximum configuration (performance, components, accessories, paid software, etc.) the Mac Pro easily exceeds 50,000 euros.

Conversely, the Mac mini can therefore be sold for less than a thousand euros if you choose its edition with a proprietary M2 processor. For the M2 Pro version, however, the price starts at 1,549 euros: it's another level. This edition, moreover, can quickly turn out to be very expensive with all the options. We are then talking about a Mac mini with Logic Pro and Final Cut Pro installed, equipped with a 10 Gigabit Ethernet socket, an 8 TB SSD hard drive and 32 GB of RAM, in addition to the M2 Pro chip. and its nineteen GPU cores.

Comparative review Mac mini 2023 vs Mac Pro

The Mac mini is, without question, an excellent computer. We can therefore compare it without hesitation with models under Windows, but also and above all withthe Mac Pro. The latter, however, is the most powerful of all Apple computers ever released.. Its processor, its amount of RAM and its exclusive Afterburner card make it a master in its field. No other PC can match it. Despite everything, its price is much too high for some who will therefore opt for the Mac mini, much more affordable and allowing the same type of screens to be connected.