

- #Apple mac mini 2012 vs 2013 vs 2014 vs 2015 upgrade#
- #Apple mac mini 2012 vs 2013 vs 2014 vs 2015 Bluetooth#
In comparison, the MacBook Air has a keyboard and touchpad built into the frame. Even after all those peripheral expenses, though, the Mac Mini is still one of best cost to performance PCs you can get. It doesn’t have its own display, either ( here are some great recommendations) - depending on your preferences, that could be a major expense to add on top of the purchase. The Mac Mini is more capable at a similar price as the MacBook Air, but it’s important to note that where the Apple laptop can be used right out of the box, the Mac Mini lacks all the peripherals required to use it correctly, like a keyboard, mouse, and speakers or headphones. You’ll want to get Apple Care with either one. Thanks to Apple’s M1 chip and new security features, neither are exactly friendly to do-it-yourself (DIY) fixers. The unified memory is also still capped at 16GB.

However, storage upgrades reach 2TB and are just as expensive as the MacBook Air’s options. If you’re looking to get the most out of your Mac purchase, the Mini definitely edges the Air out. That lets the Mac Mini work on complex tasks for longer without losing performance. This is thanks to its built-in fan and dedicated power supply. With essentially the same chip as the MacBook Air, the Mac Mini actually delivers even more performance.

It sports an M1 processor with an 8-core GPU, 8GB unified memory, and 256GB of storage. The Mac Mini has a much lower starting price of $699, but its hardware configuration is slightly weaker in turn. Both devices can handle games quite well (well, for Macs at least). The M1 offers incredible performance, and it finally makes the Mac viable for gaming. Other customization options up the GPU cores from 7 to 8 (what’s available in the MacBook Pro).
#Apple mac mini 2012 vs 2013 vs 2014 vs 2015 upgrade#
If you want a little more headroom on the memory and storage front, you can upgrade to 16GB of unified memory($180) and up to 2TB of storage ($720 max). It doesn’t quite compete with the MacBook Pro, but it is impressive nonetheless. Plus, the Air is fanless, so it packs all this power and performance into a silent design. That’s a huge upgrade from prior Air models. The M1 makes the MacBook Air a powerhouse in performance, blowing away essentially every computer in its class. The base configuration starts at $899 and comes with the M1 processor, 8GB of unified memory, and 256GB of solid-state drive storage. Since the only option is the M1 chip for the processor, you’re left with upping the memory to 16GB and the storage up to 2TB. The hardware options for the MacBook Air are limited.
#Apple mac mini 2012 vs 2013 vs 2014 vs 2015 Bluetooth#
You don’t necessarily need a huge selection of video outputs with a laptop, but the Mac Mini is far more versatile when it comes to wired connections.īoth devices support Wi-Fi 6 (802.11.ax) wireless networking and Bluetooth 5.0. The MacBook Air is far more restrictive, with only two Thunderbolt 4 ports and a 3.5mm headphone jack. The M1 Mac Mini has an Ethernet port, a Thunderbolt/USB 4 port, an HDMI 2.0 port, two USB-A ports, and a 3.5mm headphone hack. Since it’s a laptop, you can use it anywhere, unlike the Mac Mini.įor connectivity, the Mac Mini packs its smaller footprint with a decent array of ports - though not as wide as prior models. It’s longer and broader than the Mac Mini due to the integrated screen, but it’s also much thinner. The MacBook Air is a different beast entirely. You can essentially put it wherever your monitor cables can reach, but it’s still a desktop, meaning it’s designed to remain stationary. It can be an attractive centerpiece in your office or remain hidden beneath a monitor or under the desk. The Mac Mini is a thin slab with a metallic casing that’s incredibly understated in its design.

Both devices are exceptionally well-built, with sturdy frames that don’t creak or bend. The Mac Mini and MacBook Air build upon the design choices of their predecessors. Both have Apple’s new M1 chip, but which is more worth your time and money? Let’s see which comes out on top. In this comparison, we pit Apple’s fantastic Mac Mini against the MacBook Air. Don’t need a laptop? The Mac Mini is mightier.
