It cannot be denied that Apple‘s M1 processors have given a higher dimension to the entire range of computers, but those that have taken advantage of it the most have been the first lucky models, among which are the Mac mini and the MacBook Pro of 2020. These are two computers focused on different audiences and to know which one is the best for you, you have to know all their differences.
Specification table
As is evident, the differences that exist between these two Apple computers are very evident, and that is that they are focused, as we have said, on completely different audiences. However, as you can see, there are many aspects that they share, more than you could surely foresee. So that you can understand everything that we are going to tell you a little better, and have an initial global vision, here is the table with the main specifications of both.
| Specifications | Mac mini (M1 – 2020) | MacBook Pro (M1 – 2020) |
|---|---|---|
| Colors | Silver | -Silver -Space Gray |
| Dimensions | -Height: 3.6cm – Width: 19.7cm -Bottom: 19.7 cm |
-Height: 1.56cm – Width: 12″ -Bottom: 21.24 cm |
| Weight | 1.2kg | 1.4kg |
| Processor | M1 (Apple) with integrated RAM, 8-core CPU (4 performance and 4 efficiency), 8-core GPU and 16-core Neural Engine | Apple M1 (8-core CPU, 8-core GPU, and 16-core Neural Engine) |
| RAM | -8 GB (integrated in the processor) -16 GB (integrated in the processor) |
-8GB of built-in memory -16GB of built-in memory |
| Storage capacity | -256GB SSD -512GB SSD -1TB SSD -2TB SSD |
-SSD 256GB -SSD 512GB -SSD 1TB -2TB SSD |
| Screen | does not integrate | 13.3-inch LED-backlit IPS Retina |
| Resolution | does not integrate | 2,560 x 1,600 with 500 nits brightness |
| Graphics | Integrated in the processor. | Integrated in the processor. |
| Camera | does not integrate | 720p FaceTime HD camera |
| Audio | -1 speaker -3.5mm headphone jack -HDMI 2.0 port supports multi-channel audio output |
-2 stereo speakers compatible with Dolby Atmos -3 microphones with studio quality and directional beamforming technology -3.5mm headphone jack |
| connectivity | -WiFi 802.11ax (6th generation) -Bluetooth 5.0 |
-WiFi 802.11ac 6th generation -Bluetooth 5.0 |
| ports | -two. USB-C ports compatible with Thunderbolt 4 -2 USB-A ports -1 HDMI 2.0 port -1 Gigabit Ethernet port |
2 USB-C / Thunderbolt ports |
| biometric systems | does not integrate | Touch ID on keyboard |
Before going fully into talking about the most important points that you have to take into account when choosing one device or another, we want to briefly mention what are, from our point of view, the most differential aspects of these two computers. of the Cupertino company.
- Portability is the key, and what you have to value the most about one and the other, since the MacBook Pro is a laptop, while the Mac mini, despite having a very small size, you will not be able to use it anywhere and it is designed to be a fixed computer in the home or office.
- The need to acquire peripherals for the Mac mini must also be taken into account, since if you do not have them, the investment to enjoy a good user experience will be greater.
- In terms of power , things as they are, these two computers are capable of shooting practically everything you have in mind to do with them.
Main differences
We start with the main differences that you can find between these two Apple computers, but first, you have to know that with both you will enjoy a very satisfactory user experience given how well balanced these devices are in terms of power, durability and fluidity to the time to work with them.
Portability
We surely start with the most differential point between these two products, portability. It is clear that the MacBook Pro has been conceived and designed for all users who want to have a computer that can be moved without any problem, but that does not mean they have to give up the power of the best. Thus, who needs a computer in its ecosystem that is capable of carrying out all the tasks you need, and that also allows you to do it anywhere in the world and at any time , without a doubt the MacBook Pro is the best option you can find.
However, many users do not use the computer outside the home, and that is why they prefer to opt for an alternative known as a desktop computer . Within all the offer that the Cupertino company makes available to the public, the Mac mini, thanks to the renewal with the M1 chip, which we will talk about later, has become one of the best options for practically any type of user . As we said before, despite the fact that this computer does not have very large dimensions, at no time has Apple done so so that users can transport it in their backpack or bag, since in addition, as we will discuss below, you need other peripherals to be able to use it.
external accessories
After talking about the portability that both devices can bring you, it comes into play to talk about external accessories or peripherals, whatever you want to call them. It is clear that you can connect different devices to all computers, however, with the Mac mini this becomes essential , since Apple only sells you the computer itself, without a mouse or trackpad, keyboard or, of course, monitor. . Therefore, in case you do not have these devices at home, you will have to acquire them, yes or yes, to be able to use the Mac mini.
On the other hand, the MacBook Pro does not need more investment than what you already do for the device itself, however, it is also a very good option to use this Apple laptop with good peripherals in your desk or office, that is, to be able to use your MacBook Pro as if it were a desktop computer. But as we have mentioned, that is already a choice that you can choose or not, since the computer is totally usable and has tremendous potential as it comes in its box when you buy it.
Speakers
One of the consequences of the fact that Apple sells only the Mac mini computer itself is that it does not have speakers , it only has a 3.5mm headphone port and an HDMI 2.0 port that is compatible with multichannel audio output. Therefore, in order to play content and listen to it through your Mac mini, you will have to use the speakers of the monitor that you connect, use headphones, or purchase external speakers for the computer itself.
In contrast, the 2020 MacBook Pro M1 does have stereo speakers with high dynamic range, which are capable of delivering wide stereo sound and support Dolby Atmos audio. In total, they are a set of three microphones with studio quality, high signal-to-noise ratio and directional beamforming technology . In short, despite the fact that the MacBook Pro has a more or less reduced size, the power and sound quality that it is capable of offering is very outstanding.
ports
One of the great concerns when buying a computer is the number and variety of ports that the device has, well, as you can imagine, in this case the one that wins the prize is the Mac mini , something obvious given that for To be able to use it you have to connect the different essential peripherals. It has two Thunderbolt ports, two USB type A ports, an HDMI 2.0 port and a Gigabit Ethernet port so that, if you want, you can connect your computer to the Internet directly by cable.
On the other side is the MacBook Pro, if there is something that Apple can be blamed for with this laptop, it is just that, the great absence of ports . It only has two Thunderbolt ports, better known as USB-C. So if you want to connect different devices to it, you will have to invest more money in buying a good USB-C Hub. However, with this computer you do not have the imperative need to connect different peripherals.
Similar aspects
We have already told you about the main differences between the Mac mini and the MacBook Pro. Aspects that you have to take into account when deciding on one or the other. However, they are not all points of disagreement, since they also share many characteristics that make users have two truly fantastic teams.
Power?
In terms of power and performance we can attribute little to these two true beasts. As we mentioned at the beginning of this post, the arrival of the M1 chip has been very good for the entire range of Apple computers, but surely the most revitalized device of all has been the Mac mini, since we can say the company from Cupertino It has given a whole new life to a computer that was relegated to being practically a storage device in homes.
Therefore, whether you are going to make very basic use of both devices, or if you want them to perform somewhat heavier and more power-demanding tasks , the Mac mini and MacBook Pro with the M1 chip will give you the performance you need for tasks such as video editing or other more basic ones such as making text documents and similar actions.
Memory and storage capacity
One of the differences that are usually found in Apple computers is when it comes to configuring them in a more personalized way and the options that the company itself grants to each computer. However, with the 2020 Mac mini and MacBook Pro M1 this does not happen in this way, since both the memory and storage sections can carry out the same configurations .
For the RAM of the computer, the user can choose between 8 and 16 GB. This will depend on the demands you have on the device, however, you have to keep in mind that the performance offered by these devices with 8 GB or 16 GB of RAM is not the same as that offered by their predecessors with an Intel chip. with these quantities, since the M1 chip has made their performance rise to unsuspected levels. As for storage , Apple has finally removed the 128 GB SSD from the base models, now starting at 256 GB and being able to reach up to 2 TB SSD in both devices.
Price
We have reached the final part of the comparison, and how could it be otherwise, we must talk about the price of both computers. Apple is a company that does not usually have low prices, however, if we focus on that relationship that we talk about so much, such as quality/price , without a doubt these two computers from the Cupertino company are two more than recommended purchases for the incredible performance they offer to the user.
Let’s start with the cheapest option, although it has its nuances, which is the Mac mini. It has a base price of 799 euros , however, if you do not have a mouse, keyboard and monitor that you can connect to this computer, you will have to checkout to enjoy this device and, obviously, the price will increase. On the other hand, the most basic MacBook Pro starts at 1,449 euros , a price to be taken into account, but an amount that, as we have mentioned before, if we look at the performance it offers, may even seem cheap.
Which one are we left with?
Whenever we carry out this type of comparison, from the ITIGIC editorial team we like to tell you what our personal choice would be. However, in this case, and returning to the initial argument of this post, everything will depend on the use that you are going to make of the device, or rather, how and where you are going to use the computer .
If you have doubts about whether you will need to use the computer away from home, or you anticipate that you will need to work on the move, without a doubt the most recommended option and the one that will offer you the best service is the 2020 MacBook Pro M1 , both for performance, both for the portability that a laptop with these characteristics gives you. On the other hand, if what you really need or want is to have a fixed computer at home or in the office, and you also already have the peripherals you want to use, the Mac mini M1 is an ideal option both for performance and for the economic part. , since the price is very succulent.