MacBook Air vs Mac mini: What’s the Best Entry-Level Mac?
Reading Time: 3 minutesThe MacBook Air is a fully functional laptop, whereas the Mac mini is a small form factor desktop. But which is better for you? We’ll help you decide.
If you’re planning to enter the world of Macs, your best bet is to go for entry-level Macs. Apple currently offers two Macs in this segment: the M2 Mac mini and the M1 MacBook Air.
Both have different form factors yet are portable with strikingly similar performance. Hence, you’re bound to get baffled about them. Here, we’ll compare the Mac mini and MacBook Air in detail to help you make the right decision.
Hardware and Performance
The entry-level MacBook Air features the first Apple silicon processor, the M1. On the contrary, you get to see the second-generation M2 chip in the Mac mini. You might believe that the M2 is way faster than the M1; however, both perform very similarly, with minor improvements in the M2 chip. So, you won’t find much difference in real-world usage.
You can configure the M2 Mac mini with up to 24GB RAM and 2TB of storage space, while the M1 MacBook Air can be configured with up to 16GB RAM and 2TB of storage space. However, since the MacBook Air is a laptop, you get a QHD Retina display, an integrated 720p camera, a backlit keyboard, and a trackpad.
The Mac mini lacks a monitor, camera, keyboard, and mouse/trackpad since it’s a small form-factor desktop. As a result, you may question whether a Mac mini is worth it compared to other Macs. Thanks to Apple silicon, you’ll find similar performance on both machines, which are more than capable of their previous Intel-powered predecessors.
Design, Size, and Portability
The first point of distinction would be in the design. The MacBook Air is Apple’s lightest laptop, weighing approximately 2.8 lbs (1.29 kg), while the Mac mini is a small form factor desktop weighing nearly the same as the MacBook Air.
Because of its smaller size, the Mac mini is easier to carry than the MacBook Air. However, remember that you’ll need an external display, other peripherals, and a power supply to use it.
The MacBook Air, however, is portable enough to take with you wherever you go. It’s ideal for working on the go because you don’t have to carry any extra peripherals, despite taking up more space in your backpack. And thanks to the M1 chip’s battery optimization, you can run it unplugged for up to 15 hours.
Connectivity and Ports
The M2 Mac mini is the clear winner in this department, offering two Thunderbolt 4-enabled USB-C ports, two USB-A ports, an HDMI port, a 3.5mm headphone jack, and a Gigabit Ethernet port. As a result, you won’t need any additional dongles or adapters. And speaking of connectivity, it sports both Wi-Fi 6E and Bluetooth 5.3.
The M1 MacBook Air, on the other hand, only has two Thunderbolt ports and a 3.5mm headphone jack. S,o there’s no doubt you’ll find yourself buying additional dongles or adapters to connect multiple devices and accessories. In terms of connectivity, it supports the older Wi-Fi 6 and Bluetooth 5.0 standards.
Price
Ultimately, it all comes down to pricing, which affects your purchase decision. Although it appears simple, the pricing of these Macs is more complicated than you might think.
The base model of the M1 MacBook Air with 8GB of RAM and 256GB of storage costs $999. On the other hand, the base model M2 Mac mini with the same specifications costs $599.
Before settling on the M2 Mac mini, remember that it will require an external monitor, keyboard, mouse, and other peripherals to function. Even after that, the price may rise or exceed that of the MacBook Air, depending on the peripherals purchased.
You get a fully functional laptop when you buy the MacBook Air. Plus, you can use it without worrying about power outages.
MacBook Air vs. Mac Mini: Which Mac Should You Get?
Because both the MacBook Air and the Mac mini have advantages and disadvantages, the decision ultimately comes down to your use case. For example, if you’re always on the go, the MacBook Air is an excellent choice because it’s more portable.
However, if you have the necessary peripherals and want a desktop solution, you can save money with the M2 Mac mini. Whichever Mac you choose, you will not be disappointed with the performance, as the jump from M1 to M2 isn’t massive.
Reference: https://www.makeuseof.com/macbook-air-vs-mac-mini/
Ref: makeuseof
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