For €699 you can get a new MacBook Neo. 20 euros more expensive, 719 euros, Mac mini. One has an A18 Pro chip, the other an M4. On paper, it seems that the second one is worth more, but… The reality is not like that. At least not for everyone, because there are many more differences than they seem. And also the price.
Indeed, the Mac mini does not cost “only” 719 euros
“But Alvaro, why doesn’t the Mac mini cost €719 if that’s what it says on Apple’s website?” Let’s see… yes, paying €719 will get you home with a brand new Mac mini M4, ready to rock… Or not. The device comes, but you need something else.
Unlike iMacs, which come with a built-in screen and include a mouse and keyboard, or MacBooks, which are all-in-one, The Mac mini doesn’t come with accessories that allow you to use it right out of the box. A monitor, keyboard and mouse must be purchased separately.
In this sense, it is a very versatile device, given that it is not closed to Apple accessories and You can use any third-party peripherals. Those who already have them in advance will not have to pay anything more, but those who come with a laptop or who do not have a computer at all will have to sign out.
As soon as they start buying the cheapest accessories, the price of 719 euros will be far away. We’re not even talking about whether you want a quality monitor on top of that, and you won’t find anything reasonable for less than €400. So no, the Mac mini doesn’t cost just €719.
What the Mac mini does and the MacBook Neo doesn’t
Leaving aside the price and the accessories you have or decide to buy, the truth is this The Mac mini is a better computer than the MacBook Neo. At least on paper.
- Processor: The A18 Pro in the MacBook Neo is much more than a “mobile processor” and will allow the laptop to handle basic tasks well. However, it falls short of the power of the Mac mini’s M4 chip for more demanding tasks. It’s not Apple’s best processor for extremely demanding tasks like video or image editing, although it can perform reasonably well, especially at the low end, which with the A18 Pro is expected to be much more difficult and slow.
- Single memory: While the MacBook Neo only supports 8GB of unified memory, the Mac mini starts at 16GB and supports configurations that (for a fee) go up to 24GB or 32GB. And this is something that adds a lot when working with several open programs, heavy projects or processes that consume a lot of RAM, such as video editing, managing large photo libraries or using professional tools.
- ports: The MacBook Neo has only two USB-C ports (one USB 2.0 and one 3.0), while the most basic version of the Mac mini has two USB 3.0 ports and three more that are compatible with Thunderbolt 4. It also includes an Ethernet port and an HDMI port.
- External screens: As mentioned above, the Mac mini supports up to three monitors, two at 6K @ 60Hz via Thunderbolt and a third at 5K @ 60Hz. The MacBook Neo only allows you to connect to one external display with a maximum of 4K and 60 Hz.
Different audiences
Given the above, it’s clear that the Mac mini is a better computer than the MacBook Neo. This is undeniable. now Just because it’s the best hardware doesn’t necessarily make it the best for all user profiles. Anyone can buy the one they want, the only thing missing is the original approach of both devices is very different.
The MacBook Neo seems to be more focused on a less demanding public. For those who want to switch to macOS for the first time or just need a good additional computer for specific purposes. The Mac mini, for its part, slightly increases the requirements of your target, making it ideal for those who already know they’re going to be working long hours at their computer, need more space for productivity and expansion, and can make better use of a desktop computer with good external peripherals.
So despite having the same price ranges, they are very different. And as we’ve already seen, the small font of the Mac mini means that we really have to pay more to be able to use it.
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