We tested the Mac Mini with M2 Pro: the Mini gets bigger

• Apple launches computers for professionals with a new generation of M2 processors

's cheapest computer

is the

and this year, against all odds, it's even cheaper.

The Mini with the M2 processor - the same one that has equipped the

since the end of last year - goes on sale this week at a price of 719 euros.

As usual, it does not include a monitor or keyboard or mouse, but it is a discount of 80 euros for a team that now comes with a 20% more powerful processor.

But what is really unexpected is that this year, in addition, Apple will allow the equipment to be configured not only with the M2, but also with the

, a much more powerful processor that broadens the type of potential user of the machine.

Obviously the price is higher, but it is an option that many will appreciate.

Until now, those looking for a Mac desktop computer had two options: either settle for a Mini or iMac with an M1 processor or make the leap to the

or

.

If you were a home user, the first option was more than enough and for more advanced professionals the Studio has power to spare.

But if you were a creative professional or a developer with a bit more demands than the home user but not yet quite up to the level that the

would justify , the only option was to buy a MacBook Pro laptop.

Now, finally, there is a much more logical alternative that is also a pleasure to use.

I've been able to test the Mac Mini with M2 Pro for the last 5 days and, along with

, I think it's going to become a pretty popular combination for that user profile.

It is also the combination that explains why there is no longer a 27-inch iMac in the Apple catalog.

MORE PORTS AND MORE PERFORMANCE

The external appearance of the Mini with M2 Pro is exactly the same as that of the Mini with M2 or with M1, a small 20 cm box.

side and 3.5 cm in height.

There are, however, notable differences at the rear.

The Mini with M2 Pro have two additional

(for a total of four) to which are added, as in the rest of the models, two USB-A, HDMI connector, headphone

.

Gaining two additional Thunderbolt ports is already great news, but obviously the important thing here is that this Mac comes with a processor that is quite a bit more powerful.

The M2 Pro is twice as powerful as the M2, which in turn is 20% more powerful than the M1, which was the only processor the Mini could have until just a few days ago.

This extra power makes the new Mini a much more suitable machine for tasks such as photo editing, video or even development.

They were jobs that the Mini with M1 (which is my desktop computer and therefore the model with which I find it easier to compare) could do, but spending much more time on each step.

The Mac Mini, in an image of Apple

It also comes with some additional surprise.

It's the only M-generation Mac, for example, that can connect to three external monitors (two via Thunderbolt/USB-C and one via HDMI).

This is precisely the configuration I've been using it in (three 27-inch 4K displays) and it's glorious.

It is also capable of connecting via HDMI and moving an 8K monitor

With the M2 Pro there are some workflows that clearly benefit, although as always the final result will depend a lot on which applications are used and how well optimized they are.

Compiling code in

, for example, is twice as fast as the Mac Mini with M1 processor.

When editing video, it's almost three times faster in certain situations, such as exporting a complex project in

.

The model provided by Apple for this test is equipped with

, which is the maximum that can be configured.

One of my fears was that the larger and more powerful processor would overheat in the Mini's compact body.

In my tests, however, I have not noticed a performance drop even during intense work sessions and the fan, as it was in the Mini with M1, is practically imperceptible when it is running.

For a team that is always on the table, it is a highly desirable quality.

The Mac Mini with M2 processor starts at 719 euros for the model with 8-core CPU, 10-core GPU, 8 GB of unified memory and 256 GB of SSD storage.

The model we have tested, with a 10-core CPU, 19-core GPU, 32 GB of unified memory and 1 TB of SSD storage costs 2,604 euros.

They can be reserved now on the Apple website and will be available starting tomorrow.

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