M2 Mac Studio VS M2 Mac mini - DON'T BE FOOLED!

Apple now has a big range of desktop computers designed for the pro audience not only with the new M2 Max Mac Studio and M2 Pro, but also with the M2 Pro Mac mini which was released half a year ago. However, with the introduction of the M2 Max Mac Studio... is the M2 pro Mac mini now obsolete and why is Apple selling a Mac mini version that's priced higher than the Mac Studio?

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[MrJamidon]

Thank you for being the first YouTuber who compared the base models of these machines. Everyone else is comparing the fully loaded versions, and I'm never going to be able to afford those kind of machines. This is exactly what I was looking for, great job.

[bitMAN]

This is an amazing comparison. You make the differences and use cases very clear with no added noise to the key points. Oh man, I wish all video comparisons where like this 😌

[dejavuking]

Omg thank you gosh finally someone has done this comparison. Arguably the most important comparison for 99% of people. Loads of channels have compared the two but not both base specs, they all have upgraded SSD or ram. So this is going to be the best video I think and it’s from someone reliable to this is going to be my premier advice video and the one I’ll recommend to everyone.

[vintagex]

2:27 wo0o0o0oah man said "reLEVAtion"

[regularsteven]

Great summary - before the M2 Studio came out, I was seriously torn between the full-spec Mini Pro and M1 Studio Max. But, as you point out, this is now a no-brainer. I've got the M2 Studio Max (base model), and this thing has so much grunt. The reviews everywhere on full-spec Studio Ultra's are just not real-world for most people. The challenge for me, now, as a programmer, is to try figure out what code I can abstract out to leverage the GPU cores rather than CPU. Fun times :) EDIT: Studio ALSO has support for more monitors, too. Just another little thing that could be a big thing if you need it...

[FoxxFire]

Just want to mention, this has been the most helpful video comparing directly the three exact system configs I'm considering. Having these benchmarks between the exact variants I'm looking at -- i haven't seen that anywhere else. Thank you Sheriff Gadget :)

[gouhlgambit]

I have been weighing this choice up for ages now, so thanks in your video. Lots of good points. I think I’m still siding with the mini, 32 gb ram and 1tb ssd, but with the 10 core chip. I’m coming from a 2018 i7 Mac mini so the performance is literally double. I would rather prioritise read/write speed with the SSD and up the ram. I’m using this for music production exclusively so the added GpU cores of the studio don’t really give me much value, the extra ports on the front would be largely unused. So I can’t really see any extra value to going for the studio model this time.

[gfabasic]

Was looking at the Mac Mini Pro until Apple dropped the M2 Mac Studio. Ended up getting the base model M2 Mac Studio for exactly the reasons you mentioned. I also need the SD card reader so adding that on factored into it as well.

[northridgeanimalmedicalcen]

Your work just makes so much sense... getting to the core issues in a clear, concise manner. THANK YOU

[corikomiyama]

Thank you for this! I have been looking at the Macbook Air vs Mac Mini (I have an intel Macbook Pro right now) and the whole "keeping it in clamshell mode" while hooked up to an external monitor totally hit me lol. This helped to me to see that I haven't even considered the Mac Studio. Without this video I probably would have upgraded my memory and storage on the Mac Mini not even realizing I'd get a way better value with the Studio! Thank you so much!

[stevens]

Good summary. Another comparison is more difficult to estimate - the price of future-proofing. It's a good idea to factor in the long-term usability of your computer. I was able to significantly increase the value of my gear by increasing the RAM to well above the minimum, and getting storage that anticipated my potential use. Beginning with a "base" model may not be your best choice.

[MartinLutherMcCoy]

I went with the mini. Maxed out. I wish I had the maxed out studio but I’m glad I have kept my additional 3k$ and I haven’t seen a pinwheel since. Nuff yappin’ now get busy and make something ✊🏾

[outerusing]

Thank you for sharing, this is exactly the kind of comparison I was looking for!!

[AmauryJacquot]

there is one parameter that may make the mac mini preferable: you can fit 2 of those mac minis in a 1U rack, whereas you need 3U for the mac studio. that may be important in some settings (say in video trucks) where volume is at a premium

[tvpstvps]

Did you say “relevation” - that’s definitely stuck in my head now

[mgjansen]

Thanks exactly the information I needed!

[Greg-bumi]

Thank you! Great comparison on value vs price. Information was straight forward and easily understood

[HomesickMac]

Great video Greg! I'm defo waiting for the next Apple event to see which Mac I'll be upgrading to from my trusty M1 Mini from 2020. It still serves me well, but I'd need that GPU for the video workflow of editing and exporting. It's going to be a Mac Studio if I decide for the stationery, but I'm also considering going over to doing everything from a laptop. I used to do it before and my last laptop was a MacBook Pro Intel 2018, totally maxed out but still left in the dust by the M1 mini..

[mattbosley]

I do not understand why, in a computer with 32GB of memory and an M2 Max processor, Apple handicaps it with a half speed SSD. You still have to pay $200 to upgrade to 1TB if you want decent speed from your storage in the Mac Studio.

[jeffhale]

Thanks for sharing: very helpful. Blessings on your day!