Mac mini vs iMac M1: Comparison of Specifications and Price

Specifications comparison table

As we always say in each comparison, the specifications between two devices are not always everything. However, these serve to have a certain perspective before we start to analyze each of the points of similarity and difference between the Mac mini and the iMac.

Based on what is seen in this table, we can first highlight several differences between these two Apple computers. All of them are derived from the obvious design differences , since the Mac mini consists only of a CPU, while the iMac integrates everything (also peripherals). Therefore we find these changes:

• Colour
• Dimensions and weight
• Screen and resolution
• Camera
• Audio system
• Biometric sensors

Two completely different designs

As we saw previously, there are more than obvious visual differences in these Macs that make them completely different, despite the fact that they have other similarities at the performance level that we will see in another section of this article. Beyond judging whether these computers have a beautiful design or not, something that is subjective in the end, we can analyze the two key factors of both: screen and portability.

4.5K screen vs monitor compatibility

The iMac incorporates a 24-inch screen with 4.5K resolution on the back of which is located the entire plate of the device with its components, being an excellent compact equipment that is visually very attractive for most. The screen looks really good in any circumstance of ambient light, especially if we have its brightness of up to 500 nits or its wide range of colors, as well as its True Tone technology capable of adapting the brightness and color to different circumstances.

On the Mac mini, on the other hand, we cannot judge quality of any kind, since it does not incorporate any screen. Although, of course, you will need to connect to one in order to use it. It supports different types of connections based on its components and ports, being able to be connected to 6K monitors through the Thunderbolt 3 port and 4K displays through HDMI 2.0. Using two of those Thunderbolt and HDMI you can connect to a maximum of 3 4K displays simultaneously.

Portability of both teams

By not talking about laptops, it is clear that those who are interested in these computers are not looking for a piece of equipment that they can carry around frequently. However, despite being two desktops, both are very easy to move equipment , either by changing rooms within the same house or office or transporting it during a move.

The Mac mini has better possibilities due to its small size, since it is a “simple” box that can be packed in any box of a not too large size and that moving it around the house to move it is tremendously simple. And above it weighs almost nothing. Although obviously this would not be the complete computer, since its accessories would make it more difficult (screen, keyboard, mouse, cables, etc.).

For its part, the iMac is extremely light to be a more complete computer in which both the CPU components and the screen are integrated, and although accessories such as the keyboard and mouse should be carried with them, these could not be an obstacle Too big. If we also compare it with previous generations, taking it to another room or place will no longer be so tedious.

About hardware and performance

The M1 chip that these computers mount is the same, as well as the type and capacity of the RAM that they integrate, as well as the SSD for data storage. However, there are a number of notable differences, especially with regard to the iMac and its cheaper versions.

About the basic version of these teams

Apple offers up to three different versions of the iMac M1 depending on its price, although there are also certain components that change. In the Mac mini, despite also finding two starting prices in its M1 versions, the truth is that they share components except for the base storage capacity. However, the aforementioned iMac has several points of difference in its basic version compared to the other two.

The first highlight is that the GPU has 7 cores instead of 8. Apple does this based on the complex manufacturing processes of the chip, although what you will be most interested in knowing is: can you tell the difference? It depends. In everyday use, practically no difference is noticed, although when carrying out processes in which this graph intervenes, we do find that the 7-core version performs somewhat below, although without being an excessively large change.

Another point where the iMac changes in its basic version is that it only has one fan instead of two. We will talk more about this issue in another section of this article, but we already anticipate that this could be more notable. Although without a doubt what can affect the most in the day to day is that that base equipment only has 2 Thunderbolt ports and although it is not a drama because it is the same as we have in some MacBook, it can be tedious for those who are used to using multiple ports with your Mac.

Behavior in basic and heavy tasks

Going more into work and what is the daily use of computers, we have to say that they behave in a very similar way. The M1 is an ideal processor for everyday tasks such as calendar management, email, surfing the Internet or consuming multimedia content. However, it is also a chip suitable for heavy tasks such as video, audio or photography editing.

In these last routines that require more power, the absence of a GPU core is more noticeable in the basic version of the iMac, although in the others it is completely equal to the Mac mini. This may not be the definitive chip to be focused on the most demanding public, but many of the professionals who use the Mac for their work will be satisfied with the performance it offers, surpassing even high-end Intel processors that their predecessors carried. .

Regarding the RAM, we have to make a nuance and that is that a priori 8 GB of RAM as a base seems little, as well as 16 GB of top seem scarce. The good resource management of the M1 when moving a software that has also been designed by Apple means that even with those capabilities they can perform well. Although the comparison is not entirely accurate, roughly we could say that the 16 GB of RAM in M1 yields like 32 GB on an Intel chip, just as the 8 GB could be comparable to 16 GB with Intel. Of course, we insist, always within the framework of the user experience, since both chips are ultimately incomparable at a technical level because they have different architectures.

Ventilation system and temperature

Another point where the M1 chip stands out is this. It is very positively surprising how extremely efficient this processor is, which is capable of not raising the temperature too much even when very heavy processes are being carried out. This, together with the cooling system and heatsinks that both Macs have, makes it even more pleasant. In addition to the fact that these fans are very quiet to the point that sometimes they do not even need to be activated and when they do they are not annoying.

Now, what if you have only one fan? This not only happens in the basic iMac as we explained previously, but also the Mac mini has only one and in this case in any of its versions. Despite this, the general temperature remains quite stable in both computers, although the temperature is higher than in the iMac with double fan. They do not in any case reach extreme levels as could happen in other previous models, but the experience can be worse in the end.

Other differences to highlight

The audio system is another of the differentiating points between both teams. In any of them you can connect professional speaker systems that allow you to have a very high quality sound, although by default we find a single speaker integrated in the Mac mini and a very good 6-speaker system in the iMac. The first one sounds good, without great fanfare, but enough for many. In the iMac, however, we find much more quality thanks to its compatibility with spatial audio, Dolby Atmos sound and a three- microphone system that the Mac mini does not have.

Another highlight is also the camera. A 1,080p lens is the one that integrates the iMac into the screen, which is considerably improved thanks to the M1’s processing capable of making a better balance of the image in terms of brightness. A point to keep in mind with respect to the Mac mini, since it does not offer any camera and if purchased separately, it would always lose that enhancement of quality through software.

Also in terms of biometric sensors, we find the Mac mini weaker, which does not have any identification system. The iMac in its basic version either, but in the others it includes a fingerprint sensor that will allow you to quickly unlock the device, make payments through Apple Pay or access websites and apps whose keys are stored on the iCloud keychain.

Identical also at the software level

Both teams come, at least to this day, with versions of macOS Big Sur , Apple’s own operating system designed for its computers. It is expected that they will continue to be updated as we will explain in a later point, but beyond what this system is as such, there are certain interesting aspects to analyze in reference to the applications. And in this case we have to say that both Macs have the same advantages and disadvantages at this level.

Application compatibility

The M1 chip has many benefits like those we have discussed in the performance section, but also certain drawbacks. The fact that the architecture I use is ARM and not x86 like the Intel chips has meant that the applications have to be adapted to work just as well on this system. And it has been achieved in an astonishing way, although not completely. All native apps work perfectly and in a tremendously fast and fluid way, although always depending on the configurations of each Mac (RAM, GPU …).

It is in third-party programs that we find several things to highlight. A good part of the developers, especially those of more popular applications, have already adapted their tools to the architecture of the chip. However, not all of them have done so and it is expected that this optimization will continue to be carried out in the coming months. For those apps that do not work natively with the M1, a code translator called Rosetta 2 has been created that allows these apps to be run. The operation of this system is so good that the vast majority of the time you do not even notice that you are using an app that is not native. Even the way to open these applications using Rosetta 2 is the same, since this translator works in the background.

And although there are not many, unfortunately there are still unusable applications that cannot be run even through Rosetta 2. This is the case of many video games, which are more complex to run on ARM architecture and not even that excellent code translator will it serves. The solution to these is only patience, since we will have to wait for its developers to end up making them functional in this M1 and in the next chips that Apple launches in its Macs.

Unable to install Windows

In this case not even the best intention of Apple with Rosetta 2 works. Microsoft‘s operating system has not yet been adapted to the new ARM architecture implemented by Apple and that other manufacturers are also testing. On Macs with Intel chips it is possible to virtualize this system and even install it on a partition using Boot Camp Assistant. But no, neither this Mac mini, nor the iMac, nor the rest of Apple computers with M1 can run this wizard.

And it’s funny because Boot Camp does appear as an app on these Macs, but when we open it we find the bad news that it is not compatible. At the moment Microsoft still does not move tab in this regard, although there are some virtualization programs that despite being in their first versions for ARM are already capable of offering a solution for those who want to use a Windows tool on these computers.

Future updates assured

As we warned at the beginning, although these Macs have been introduced with versions of macOS 11, they are expected to continue receiving operating system updates for years. In computers with Intel chips, we have come to see equipment with up to 7 or 8 years of updates and although it is too early to know how much the M1 will give, the truth is that it would not be unreasonable to update that minimum of years.

The fact of being able to receive software support is something tremendously positive for these computers. The first because they guarantee security patches that protect them against malware, but also at the user level it has advantages because you will continue to receive visual and functional news without having to buy another new computer. Therefore, each year will be in a way like new equipment, although you can always go back to a previous version of the system.

Accessories that come in the box

We have said it at various points, it already seems obvious, but we never tire of remembering: the Mac mini does not come with accessories . You will need to use an external screen, keyboard and mouse that you already have or that you purchase together with the computer, and may be official from Apple or from any other manufacturer that offers compatibility. In the box of this you will only find, in addition to the Mac mini itself and the user guides, a power cable to connect it to the power.

In the case of the iMac you will always find that power cable next to the power supply that in this equipment is external and that has a similar shape to the charger of the MacBook. Also the user guides and the iMac itself are taken for granted. Now, you can choose if you want to add a Magic Mouse, a Magic Trackpad or even both (with their corresponding price increase). In all of them you will also have a keyboard, although the Magic Keyboard with Touch ID will not come in the most basic version, which includes the classic version of the official Apple keyboard.

Two prices that separate them a lot

Among the basic versions of these Macs we find a difference of 650 euros that can increase depending on the chosen configuration. At first it is a really important difference if we take into account the tremendous similarities that exist at the performance level, although it must be borne in mind that the iMac is a complete team and the Mac mini will need accessories purchased separately.

IMac M1 price

The 24-inch iMac are available at different prices depending on the components they have as standard, of which many can be configured, with which the price would increase.

From 1,449 euros

• M1 chip with 8-core CPU and 7-core GPU
• RAM:
  • 8 GB
  • 16 GB: +230 euros
• SSD:
  • 256 GB
  • 512 GB: +230 euros
  • 1 TB: +460 euros
• Gigabit Ethernet: +26 euros
• Peripherals:
  • Magic Keyboard
  • Magic mouse
  • Magic Trackpad: +50 euros
  • Magic Mouse and Magic trackpad: +135 euros
• Pre-installed software:
  • Final Cut Pro: +329.99 euros
  • Logic Pro: +229.99 euros

From 1,699 euros

• M1 chip with 8-core CPU and 8-core GPU
• RAM:
  • 8 GB
  • 16 GB: +230 euros
• SSD:
  • 256 GB
  • 512 GB: +230 euros
  • 1 TB: +460 euros
  • 2 TB: +920 euros
• Gigabit Ethernet
• Peripherals:
  • Magic Keyboard (with Touch ID)
  • Magic mouse
  • Magic Trackpad: +50 euros
  • Magic Mouse and Magic trackpad: +135 euros
• Pre-installed software:
  • Final Cut Pro: +329.99 euros
  • Logic Pro: +229.99 euros

From 1,899 euros

• M1 chip with 8-core CPU and 8-core GPU
• RAM:
  • 8 GB
  • 16 GB: +230 euros
• SSD:
  • 512 GB
  • 1 TB: +230 euros
  • 2 TB: +690 euros
• Gigabit Ethernet
• Peripherals:
  • Magic Keyboard (with Touch ID)
  • Magic mouse
  • Magic Trackpad: +50 euros
  • Magic Mouse and Magic trackpad: +135 euros
• Pre-installed software:
  • Final Cut Pro: +329.99 euros
  • Logic Pro: +229.99 euros

Mac mini price

The Mac mini for its part also has two starting prices, although really the second of them would be the same as the first, only configured with 512 GB of SSD for not having any more difference in the processor. Now, in addition to the price of this equipment, it would be necessary to have a possible extra investment in peripherals such as mouse and keyboard, as well as an external monitor or screen if you do not have any with which to use it.

From 799 euros

• M1 chip with 8-core CPU and 8-core GPU
• RAM:
  • 8 GB
  • 16 GB: +230 euros
• SSD:
  • 256 GB
  • 512 GB: +230 euros
  • 1 TB: +460 euros
  • 2 TB: +920 euros
• Ethernet:
  • Gigabit Ethernet
  • 10 Gigabit Ethernet: +115 euros
• Pre-installed software:
  • Final Cut Pro: +329.99 euros
  • Logic Pro: +229.99 euros

From 1,029 euros

• M1 chip with 8-core CPU and 8-core GPU
• RAM:
  • 8 GB
  • 16 GB: +230 euros
• SSD:
  • 512 GB
  • 1 TB: +230 euros
  • 2 TB: +690 euros
• Ethernet:
  • Gigabit Ethernet
  • 10 Gigabit Ethernet: +115 euros
• Pre-installed software:
  • Final Cut Pro: +329.99 euros
  • Logic Pro: +229.99 euros

Conclusion: maybe they are not that comparable

If you are hesitating between buying one or the other Mac, it is likely that at this point in the movie, knowing its key points, you have already decided which one to choose. The conclusion that we can draw in reference to these computers is that they are as different as they are the same. They are different in terms of concept, the iMac being more focused on those who do not want to worry about anything other than enjoying the computer from the moment they take it out of the box; while the Mac mini is more oriented to those who are especially interested in adopting another screen size and quality beyond the limits offered by the complete equipment.

At the performance level, however, they share a good part of their statistics, so at this level we would see that perhaps the price difference with the iMac is a savage one. Now, we must bear in mind that the Mac mini does not have some functions that if it has its brother, such as the audio system or the camera, something that even bought separately could not be comparable to what Apple offers. with the optimization of these components via software.

Therefore, our recommendation if you are still undecided is that you weigh the most important points that you consider when buying a Mac and give scores to each of these based on what we have told you. Although all this while keeping in mind that the Mac mini is not a ready-to-use equipment out of the box, unless you already have the external elements that are missing.