M2 Mac mini vs M1 Mac mini - VIDEO TEST!

Is the M2 Mac mini better than the M1 Mac mini? Well, I’ve run some tests (including one against the M2 Pro Mac mini) and the results are… surprising.
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CHAPTERS
00:00 - Intro
00:52 - Specs and prices
03:31 - The test
05:51 - Spending more
07:38 - Which M2 Mac mini?

[@MarkEllisReviews]

Are you surprised by these results? Or are they what you expected?

[@sholthi]

for me as a content creator would be much more valuable to make a comparisson in real time editing performance (scrubbing, speed editing in resolve etc.). Render times and export times are not such important for me (you can make coffe during that time), but if you loose your nerves during editing - that´s the problem.. I would appreciate that comparission in different editing software (premiere, finalcut, davinci) - I did not find that kind of comparision anywhere yet. :) btw nice content, understandable, simple without too much of philosophizing. Keep on creating!

[@helal94]

@@AppleReviews better write speeds though..

[@RaniRani-zt2tr]

ALL WHAT I WANT AS A STUDENT IS A MAC MINI AND AN IPAD PRO 11inch AND THE MAIN ACCESSORIES (ps5 controller mx master 2s and magic keyboard for ipad pro and a cheap keyboard and apple pencil) FOR UNDER $1500. IS THAT TOO MUCH????

[@xxkissmeketutxx]

Not at all what i expected. I'm a pensioner, Thankyou for saving me from spending more than i need. 👌🙏🏼

[@steven871]

Has it been clarified that only the 256ssd has been impacted and the 512 is same speed as M1 model?

[@jimcabezola3051]

Mahalo for presenting your benchmarks in the most clear and logical way! It’s not only useful, but also a distinct PLEASURE to watch your evaluations!

[@MarkEllisReviews]

That's lovely to hear - makes this all worthwhile. Thank you.

[@mikerisner]

From what I’ve heard, only the 256 GB storage option uses the single-NAND chip configuration. With the 512 GB option and higher, Apple uses the double-NAND chip setup allowing for better storage performance. Oh, and I REALLY prefer your test method. It is so much more relevant that measuring miliseconds. 🙂

[@richardallan2331]

I agree. He didn't bother to test that so shouldn't really have commented I don't think. The SSD benchmarks I have seen on the M2 Mac mini upgraded to 512GB are the same speed roughly, or even faster than the M1.

[@EdwinBoon]

Never miss out any videos from you! Thanks for keep update for Mac mini M2/M2 pro reviews!

[@gves2]

Wow, thank you! Exact video I was looking for.

[@Reluctantaudiophile]

This comparison is exactly what I was looking for except now I need to know if the M2 16g 1T solves the export issue. I’m really glad I found your page, your style is easy to watch and not too techy. Keep up the great vids!

[@MarkEllisReviews]

Thanks! And I'm afraid I don't know the answer to the export side of things with a 1TB machine. If you can afford it, I'd go for that upgrade, though.

[@helal94]

Great video and informative. Subscribed!

[@MarkEllisReviews]

Welcome onboard!

[@Dreador.]

Sitting here on M1 base and have been for 2 years and have decided to stay on this, not needed the ram and have external SSD to cover off drive needs. I do worry people get sucked into over reaching build for more than need in the name of future compatibility and the very same ditch well before that need comes around.

[@rep3e4]

Great review, thanks

[@MarkEllisReviews]

Glad it was helpful!

[@SalemLeCat]

I have just acquired a Mac mini M1 with 16gb of ram and 256gb of storage which I will soon couple with an external ssd, having always been on pc, I am amazed by these new chips, reading heavy files on FCP is done with such fluidity, on pc I spent hours creating proxies, yet I have an acceptable configuration, I hesitated to buy the basic M2 with 8gb of ram but for half the price I preferred to take the M1 with double the RAM! Superb video that gives good advice, I subscribe to your channel! Greetings from France

[@headsails]

Excellent review. I'll use this to decide +/- to upgrade my Intel Mac mini to the M style.

[@derwako]

Would be interesting to know if the m2 with 1tb would be really faster in daily use than the 512 version, are there any comparisons between these two out there?

[@bzzerc]

thanks for the video I trust your opinion more than most people facts. Keep them coming

[@MarkEllisReviews]

Cheers! I will!

[@user-is1np8zo6w]

The information on the SSD in the 512gb that you stated was incorrect - it has 2x NAND chips it's just the base 256gb version which has the single NAND chip.

[@PcPlaysGaming]

I think the reason the M2 and M2 pro mini are faster at render is because they have the ProRes hardware encoder, whereas the M1 doesn't. They are about the same speed at export tho as assuming you did that in H.264 they all have the same H.264/HEVC hardware encoder, whereas the M1 Max has two of them, hence why its twice as fast at export

[@yatanphoto]

Conclusion I draw from watching your video: the M1 Mac Mini is still a formidable machine in 2023 if you are not doing any commercial work. Personal use for photo and video editing is still more than enough for the general public.

[@MarkEllisReviews]

Spot on.

[@Gunnar_Kristiansen]

Can I ask what camera and lens you are using for filming yourself? And thanks for the tests!

[@Penpaper]

The 4 seconds difference doesn’t matter and could be accounted for in human error in many ways. And it’s never going to be precisely the same every time, there will be a small range.

[@MarkEllisReviews]

Just like every benchmark, photo comparison, and 0-60 timing ever undertaken anywhere, ever.

[@Peter23980]

What would you recommend for someone like me who uses OBS / Ecamm into Zoom quite a bit and does a lot of music production in Logic? Would a specced up M2 work or would I need the Pro?

[@jamesfiegel9675]

Add more RAM to the basic and ur good:) Use external storage....

[@captureinsidethesound]

Render and Export processing might not utilize the GPU for acceleration in the same way and this also varies across different applications. Davinci Resolve shows an average 1 second faster render time with the M2. Again, not all video editors utilize the GPU the same way.

[@Burtronic]

So, I’m looking at an M1 with 16Gb RAM and 512Gb storage. To me it looks like a bargain at £850, what would your thoughts be on that? Thanks

[@raylachman8101]

Thx for the Vid!! Any experience with or recommendations for running windows via parallels on any of the mini’s ?

[@MarkEllisReviews]

No probs! And I just cannot bring myself to ever install Windows on a Mac. Sorry.

[@ajmeireles]

Hey Mark! Thanks for your helpful sharing. Can you help me understand something? I'm looking into buying MacMini M2 Pro but I'm totally freaked out because I'm seeing so many people having issues related to random WIFI and Bluetooth disconnecting. Have you faced something like this in your experience? I'm scared because all my devices are Bluetooth: Keyboard (Logitech MX Keys), Mouse (Logitech MX Master 3S) and Phone (JBL).

[@keithdickson8364]

I just do photography as a hobby and I’m happy with my M1 16 gig refurb I bought from Apple.

[@Burtronic]

I’m looking at 16Gb RAM 512Gb SSD refurbished, instead of the same spec M2, any thoughts?

[@keithdickson8364]

@@Burtronic I’m happy with my refurbed Mac plus you get a new warranty with it also.

[@samsstuff1482]

Year over year comparisons are kind of moot in my opinion as majority of people won’t upgrade their computer every year. In these types of scenarios, comparing M2 Mac Mini to, say, last Intel based base model would be more realistic. Then again, that has been done many times over when M1 came out. Other interesting comparison would be to stack the Intel Mac Mini pro(ish) that got discontinued against its replacement, the M2 Pro mini… But as it stands, that’s not the scope of this channel as I understand it, so I’m happy as it is. Just some ideas for the future. 😊

[@brb669]

You should have mentioned the file size of the Test Video.

[@macmuchmore1]

I can’t seem to find any good deals on a used m1 Mac mini. Any suggestions?

[@johnwade7430]

Hey Mark - when you gonna look at the Mac Mini M2Pro as a music production studio????

[@johnwade7430]

Q. Can I use an iPad Pro as the monitor for a mac Mini? Thanks

[@headsails]

5:40 my thoughts are that rendering is GPU-dependent where the export is not?

[@64-bitMicro]

Now that all of the Gen1 Apple Silicon products (and last gen iPad Air) are available on the refurbished store, that's what I've been buying (and telling others to). It also makes some sense that the M2 MacBook Air is "worse" than the M1 MacBook Air from a product differentiation point of view within the "new design" laptops. The M1 MacBook Air and M1 MacBook Pro were far too similar to each other in performance that the choice between the two was more difficult. It is now easier with the M2 MacBook Air and M2 MacBook Pro as the 'Pro' is actually better. With the Gen1 devices it was hard to fault the MacBook Air, now with M2 it is clearly a 'buy better if you can afford it' product.

[@lippylennnox]

Really difficult to get hold of a cheap M1 mac mini with 16GB ram,prices are stupid like £900!

[@MarkEllisReviews]

Still an absolute bargain for what you get!

[@lippylennnox]

@@MarkEllisReviews £900 for an M1? I might as well put another£500 and get a fully kitted out M2 Pro!

[@JMaher393]

Did they fix the Bluetooth mouse bug-iness where it feels slow and it lags

[@rocheuro]

nice one! thanks this is a properly made "real world" use bench and comparison! really appreciate your work. None the less I am still looking if it's better to get M2 base MINI with 8gb vs 16gb M1 base mini.. and Couldn't find ANY benchmarks yet . they are approx the same price, and wandering if 16GB M1 mini would be actually faster than M2 mini base model. - nobody knows :D

[@MarkEllisReviews]

Thanks! If you can afford the 16GB version - go for it. No buyer’s remorse then!

[@SzybkaNaukaPro]

@@MarkEllisReviews the question was about M1 16gb vs M2 8gb

[@cyberlizardcouk]

i just wish they would fix my external NVMe drive randomly switching off.

[@mohamedmossa9759]

Bro, Can you advise me? I am confused between the Mac mini M2 8 RAM and the Mac mini M1 16 RAM. I need it for ios application programming, which one will be the best option for me "Note: Mac mini M1 16 RAM is cheeper than MAC mini M2 8 RAM in my country" .. Please i need a clear recommendation Thanks in advance🙏🏻

[@nursultannazarov8379]

M2 8GB will receive software update 5-7 years after release. M1 Mac Mini will receive software updates until 2025-27.

[@ajmeireles]

M2 Mac Mini continues with Bluetooth issues?

[@78SE]

Good video! One question please, what model of 34" monitor do you hace? Thanks!

[@78SE]

I hesitate if buy an iMac m1 or Mac mini m2 + 34" screen

[@c.garison3770]

Good Video Mark! But the one question that is on the mind of the original M1 Mac Mini users is this??? Did Apple fix the Bluetooth issues in the new version of the M2 Mac Mini? I will pay the money for the M2 Pro version of this computer if I can get proper working bluetooth. Otherwise, my M1 will be just fine for another 2 years. Cheers!

[@ricgonmar]

I never had issues with Bluetooth.I have mx keys mini for Mac and Logitech M650

[@MarkEllisReviews]

Not sure yet, I'm afraid! Need to spend far more time with it to work that out :)

[@richardallan2331]

@@ricgonmar I haven't had any Bluetooth problems with mine either.

[@ggs0605]

What is your monitor, keyboard and mouse of choice? Thank you!

[@guttagutta420]

I’m using an lg ultra wide curved monitor with the Magic Mouse and keyboard.

[@documentarystudy]

I came here to check the M2's SSD speed problem. The basic model of the Mac mini looks very cheap, but Apple always takes a huge profit on memory and storage space, so if you want to buy a product that has no problems in use, the cost-effectiveness disappears.

[@MrDucatiV4]

As an M1 Mac Mini owner, I recommend waiting for the M3 Mac mini. The M2 is not that much of an improvement. It is not worth the money to upgrade. Bestbuy is selling the base Mac mini M1 for $300(open box). It will.come with the OEM 1 year apple warranty and you can also add Apple care to it.

[@roryvance3694]

The 512 has the same issue? I know that solved the issue on the M2 air, why are they not doing that here?

[@JoseDiaz-qw7mg]

apparently, they are using single nodes for the base 512 ssd instead of 2 256 gb nodes

[@kevinkrause5798]

I edit videos without background rendering turned on, and without rendering before exporting. Is there a reason you should render before exporting? I’m serious-I simply do not know. Thanks.

[@MarkEllisReviews]

I'd leave background rendering on if you find that your machine struggles to keep up while you edit.

[@clintmiller88]

Base MacBook Air meaning 8gb of Ram?

[@lesliegraham8478]

How’s the Bluetooth? That’s what’s stopping me from buying. Got burned with the M1

[@beminbenny3154]

Hi is the m1 mini 16gb better than m2 mini 8gb?

[@captureinsidethesound]

**The base spec Macbook Air M2 ($1199) has the 8-Core GPU. The $1499 option has the 10-core GPU** Also, we do not know how or if Apple boost the clock speeds on the GPU with Final Cut Pro so there might be a bug causing the M2 GPU to be identified as a M1 GPU so the M2 isn't getting boosted. Main storage speed is only important with exporting because during real-time editing the data is stored/rendered in the memory. The main storage speed is irrelevant after importing unless the total project data is larger than the memory capacity.

[@robnation2475]

Does anybody truly know if the entry level M2 Mini has HDMI 2.0 or 2.1? I've seen conflicting/confusing specs even from Apple. Makes me wonder if it is 2.0, 2.1 or borderline 2.1?🤔 Not sure if I really even care anymore but it's bouncing around in my brain currently 😵‍💫

[@aidotph]

looks like final cut pro export consumes CPU not GPU

[@colinshum5216]

Need comparison with 8gb m2 Mac mini base. The throttling on the air probably slowed everything down. The m2/8gb probably faster than m1/16gb

[@ThisDudeEvan]

Bro what is that hoodie?! I need to know.

[@MarkEllisReviews]

It's sooo old, mate! I think it's a Pierre Cardin!

[@hardikjain3157]

The slow ssd is only on the 256 gb

[@gauravkochar9]

Does the M2 mac mini with 512gb storage have a single nand chip ? I think you got that wrong as the 512 gb M2 mac air had 2 chips

[@richardallan2331]

I agree. He didn't bother to test that so shouldn't really have commented I don't think. The SSD benchmarks I have seen on the M2 Mac mini upgraded to 512GB are the same speed roughly, or even faster than the M1.

[@armen7932]

Would you say it’s worth upgrading from the base M1 to the same base M2? Just looking because I can get about $270 from Apple for trade it. It’s probably not worth it lol.

[@MarkEllisReviews]

Nope!

[@armen7932]

@@MarkEllisReviews didn’t think so! Thanks!

[@Jester_Tech]

For the same price of $500…is a pre-owned m1 Mac mini 16gb/256gb better than a new M2 base model?

[@AnonYmous-yu6hv]

4 seconds isnt significant, they're the same for render.

[@deavo74]

Apple introduce a cheap better priced computer. Many tech people say to make it expensive instead. Not everyone is doing 4/8k multi track video editing in FCP.

[@MarkEllisReviews]

Who’s saying it should be more expensive?

[@deavo74]

@@MarkEllisReviews kind of you. Saying to upgrade to 16GB and 1TB. Not £649 anymore, suddenly it’s £1k give or take. I get you are looking at it from your point of view. Just nice to see some reviews as a cheap(ish) way into Apple computing.

[@MarkEllisReviews]

@@deavo74 ah, ok - this isn’t really the video for that. As noted, it’s based on the M1 machine I picked for my business 😉 Check out my base model Mac mini videos - they make it quite clear that it is a bargain entry point into macOS.

[@deavo74]

@@MarkEllisReviews Noted. I think I’m a bit touchy to be fair. I’ve just seen so many “DO NOT BUY THE BASE MODEL” type videos. £200 for an extra 8GB just annoys me lol.

[@TechXSoftware]

why do you need a Mac Mini too? can't you just hook up your MacBook Pro to you're monitor?

[@UmeshChandraDani]

You have so many mac mini, can you give me one.

[@ggqbc]

I just want to use it for drone footage and nothing else ... The base M2 is pretty cheap

[@jasonbalenweddingfilm3749]

now if you compare the prices between the m1 m2 m2 pro, that 1 second difference isn't worth it. just get a m1

[@nethook5588]

What’s even better is to get the Mac Studio

[@MarkEllisReviews]

For what type of user, though? There are so many different needs and budgets out there, buddy - the Mac Studio costs far more than both of these.

[@dld5420041]

I picked up a mac studio (base model) refurb from apple with military discount for $ 1619. I WAS gonna get m2 pro mac mini.

[@nethook5588]

@@MarkEllisReviews I agree that it might be overkill for some users and more expensive but you also get better performance, more ports such as SD card and USBC in front.

[@JoseDiaz-qw7mg]

the M1 Mac mini is being liquidated at costco for $499

[@user-bp5bw2ks2q]

M2 mac mini; is it good in photoshop??

[@MarkEllisReviews]

Yup!

[@quartetkebab]

Unfortunately sometimes Mac mini M2 Pro is slower than Mac mini M1. A question is: why? Does anyone knows? That is a proof: kzbin.info/www/bejne/p6O9Y2WNd9ijZpY

[@ordinarygg]

M2 is superb is cheap, niceeee, BUT, you need to upgrade SSD and prices > M1 base model ahahahah, genius Apple) I think 10% of all products bought from store is reviewers 😄

[@Black-Circle]

This slower ssd crap is a joke. Glad i go my m1 pro 14 inch when I did.

[@jamesfiegel9675]

Your audio is the loudest of anyone on KZbin :(

[@MarkEllisReviews]

That's because it's mastered correctly. Incidentally, someone told me the other day that it was too quiet even with headphones turned up to the max. I haven't changed anything in-between that video and this one. Go figure.

[@dld5420041]

I think it's actually the BEST!

[@MarkEllisReviews]

@@dld5420041 thank you!

[@Icy_plays717]

And what is funny is the fact of that the M1 Mac mini has 5K and 6K graphics and M2 Mac mini has 4K and 6K no 5K 💀💀🤡🤡 and I sold my m2 mac mini and started using my M1 again

[@headsails]

1:33 all things considered and a typical argument is that for the money a custom PC mod will blow away the Mac. However, what self-respecting nerd would want to run MSW or get imprisoned in Apple's walled garden? Linux is king but it all comes down to software compatibility which has painted the public into a corner. Free market innovation is a myth and is why Linux will always rule the computer space at every level for the foreseeable future but suffer from "market forces". The only logical conclusion here is to eliminate the market forces which philosophically is what makes Linux exponentially more efficient and optimized than either MS or Apple. 2+2=4.

[@headsails]

It appears software development can be performed by anyone anywhere with coding skills. Hardware development and production on the other hand generally requires massive MIC style facilities and attitudes. Hence, this is why our so called choices are not fully independent but are subordinated to the interests of people we likely wouldn't hang out with or support if they were on trial. .