Mac mini (M2, 2023) One Month Later Review!

Apple's Mac mini is back with a more powerful M2 chip with the same storage and memory at $100 less than the M1 Mac mini so what's the catch? And how does it actually feel to use this base level desktop after one month and is it powerful enough to handle everyday tasks and can it handle my production needs for video editing... or do you need to avoid this model at all costs.

Other accessories featured in this video
*Desk Accessories*
Get 10% off any Grovemade product with code: GREGSGADGETS

🖥️Computer Setup🖥️

⌨️Keyboard & Trackpad⌨️

🎧HeadPhones🎧

💾External SSD💾

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[belizarius_]

Many reviewers fail to mention that most people don't really need laptops. I got my MBP M1 right after release. It spent four years on my desk, barely being moved anywhere (Covid). Sold it in Feb this year and bought a Mini M2 Pro and a regular iPad. This combo gets all my work done and the port selection is superb. If you don't have to use your computer heavily on the go, save yourself some money and go for the Mini. 90% of your mobile computing needs can be addressed by iPad these days.

[Tezzachel]

The bluetooth issues is a pain in the arse but I worked out a fix. The Bluetooth antenna in on the bottom of the mac so the signal is shielded by the metal case make it weak. I simply turned my mac mini m1 over so the base is facing UP. Once I did this the bluetooth range has massively increased and i now have no drop outs. Apple needs to think about where it places antennas in the future.

[andrewwasson]

Got one when they landed. Maxed RAM and 512GB fast SSD. Got a HUB for more ports and a 1TB SSD and running the video from the Thunderbolt Port. It’s my 3rd Mac in 14 years and it’s perfect. It’s so fast at everything.

[TingleTalks]

I ordered this yesterday and I’m so freaking excited. I haven’t had an actual computer at home in years.

[QuadGuyCy]

Still using a base model 2014 Mini for every day tasks. 100% spot on about some base model Macs being practicality unusable for basic tasks out of the box. This 2014 came with a 5400RPM drive, out of the box it was horrible almost returned it. Swapped the record player for an SSD and 9 years later still going still totally usable!

[RichM]

The biggest pain point is that the disk is soldered in. I've been in IT for over 35 years, it's always been WHEN your hard drive fails not if, only now instead of replacing a $150 unit, you toss the whole Mac into the trash. SSD's will not last forever and they've got a limited read / write cycle before failure. Be cautious of used macs if you don' know how the SSD was treated -- you might get one that only works for a short period of time. Your home directory is where most of your SSD's read / write cycles occur, buy fast External Thunderbolt 4 drive and put your home directory there.

[StealthGuitar-mkel]

I like my Mac M2 Mini at a lot! I have it hooked up to a 55" TV, that works out great! I also have 4 drives hooked up through an add-on work station. For me, it has been the best computer I have ever owned. I also like how easy it is to use with my iPhone. I will never go back to MS computing.

[tom_foolery]

Your ‘Don’t be fooled’ warnings are really cringe. Just thought you should know 😊

[Awake]

Bought mine on sale for $499. So far I love it. Replaced my old PC. Still have a M1 MacBook Pro for my mobile option.

[MrJohnnyMel]

I would personally like the SD card reader on the side, easily accessible and not spoiling that clean front

[martinavaslovik]

I got the Mac Mini M2 Pro 3 days ago, 16 gb RAM, and I love it. It's driving the same 2 monitors my M1 did, a 32 in. and a 70 in, handles my 72tb disk array just fine and it has overcome the horrific lag problem I had in Second Life. Very happy with my new machine :)

[CoinedSpirit]

Great review Greg. I updated mine with 32GB RAM and 512GB SSD. Solid little computer and does 4K video editing without a stutter.

[dexopaw]

3:00 Actually, the display support did change a bit with the M2 Mac mini vs the M1, you can now connect two Thunderbolt or USB-C displays instead of just one, you don't need to use the HDMI port for the second display like you did with the M1. For me this is a very welcome change, as now I should be able to use two 5K displays instead of just one.

[DMSE]

I'm not a fan boy of apple and never will be but to be able to record full songs for free then I'm all in. M2 base arriving this afternoon and looking forward to it. Also it so much easier to record music on apple.

[andysun]

So pleased I stopped by, was going to go for a higher spec but only need the base model. Mac mini

[LincolnLohan]

You advice on 10:15 was just on point for me! I am on a really low budget. I do video editing and it can’t handle my YouTube videos and client videos smoothly anymore, I am losing time… but for various reason, I don’t have the budget right now, and you thought make sense for me… I use a external storage already, just thinking about the memory now!

Thank you so much for empathy

[itwsntme]

I know I'm probably not the average user, but for me, longevity is important. Last week my late 2013 iMac finally died. Could have fixed it as I've done in the past, but thought 10 years had been a great bang for my buck, so upgrade time it is, went for the 10 CPU / 16 GPU cores M2 Pro. I fully expect to be rocking it ten years from now.

[Fetucinee]

I would have zero complaints about the M series Mini if not for two issues: can't upgrade RAM (post purchase); can't upgrade or swap out a failed drive. I know, pretty basic stuff. The lack of those two features is responsible for a third feature of M Minis: disposability. Typing this out on a dual SSD 2012 Mini that still performs capably because it could be easily upgraded and repaired.

[davidbenardello]

Great review. Thanks for keeping it real instead of bogging down with the stats.

[Alexans]

I bought mine last October. It is amazing and so quick. Since 2001 I only used Windows, and I am not going back. Next time I will just get base model with 16GB. I am using 2tb of external SSD which I think is best option