Compare the Apple Mac Mini (2023) and Apple Mac Mini (2020)
Apple Mac Mini (2023) vs Apple Mac Mini (2020)
- M2 or M2 Pro chip
- 8 or 12-core CPU
- 10 or 19-core GPU
- 8, 16, 24, or 32GB RAM
- Thunderbolt 4 support
- Compact size
- M1 chip
- 8-core CPU
- 8-core GPU
- 8 or 16GB RAM
- Thunderbolt 3 support only
- Compact size
Comparison of the Apple Mac Mini (2023) and Apple Mac Mini (2020)
| Apple Mac Mini (2020) | Apple Mac Mini (2023) | |
|---|---|---|
| Processor | Apple M2 or M2 Pro chip with 8 or 12-core CPU | M1 chip with 8-core CPU |
| Video card | Apple M2 or M2 Pro chip with 10 or 19-core GPU | M1 chip with 8-core GPU |
| RAM | 8, 16, 24, or 32GB | 8 or 16GB |
| Storage | 256GB, 512GB, 1TB, 2TB, 4TB, or 8TB SSD | 256GB, 512GB, or 1TB SSD |
| Ports | Thunderbolt 4, USB-A, HDMI, Ethernet | Thunderbolt 3, USB-A, HDMI, Ethernet |
| Connections | Bluetooth 5.3 and WiFi 6E | Bluetooth 5.0 and WiFi 6E |
| External monitors | Up to 3 external monitors | Up to 2 external screens |
Performance
Apple Mac Mini (2023): M2 or M2 Pro chip
You can choose between 2 new chips with the new Apple Mac Mini (2023), the Apple M2 and the Apple M2 Pro chips. These successors of the M1 chip are a lot faster than their predecessors, especially in terms of graphics. With an 8 or 12-core CPU and 10 or 19-core GPU, demanding programs like Final Cut Pro and Adobe Photoshop run even smoother. This makes the Apple Mac Mini (2023) especially suitable for graphic design.
Apple Mac Mini (2020): M1 chip
Apple introduced Apple Silicon with the Apple M1 chip in 2020. This one is faster and works better together with macOS than the Intel processors of older models. This makes the Apple Mac Mini (2020) much faster and more efficient than its predecessor. It's more powerful in terms of graphics, without consuming more energy.
Connectors
Apple Mac Mini (2023): Thunderbolt 4
The new Apple Mac Mini (2023) has 2 USB-A ports, an HDMI port, and an Ethernet port. The largest pro in terms of connectors is the Thunderbolt support. The Apple Mac Mini (2023) has 2 Thunderbolt 4 connectors. Thanks to the M2 chip, you can connect 2 screens. The M2 Pro chip even supports 3 screens. If you connect 1 screen, you can reach up to 5K via Thunderbolt 4 with the M2 chip. With the M2 Pro chip, it's even 8K.
Apple Mac Mini (2020): Thunderbolt 3
The Apple Mac Mini (2020) had Thunderbolt 3, while the new Apple Mac Mini (2023) has Thunderbolt 4. You can connect up to 2 screens. Do you only connect 1 screen to your Mac Mini (2020)? You can get up to 4K quality. In terms of speed, you won't notice much of a difference between Thunderbolt 3 and Thunderbolt 4. The Apple Mac Mini (2020) has 2 USB-A ports, an HDMI port, and an Ethernet port just like the new model.
Conclusion
The most important differences between the Apple Mac Mini (2023) and the Apple Mac Mini (2020) are found in the components and connectors. The new Apple Mac Mini (2023) is even faster and more powerful in terms of graphics than its predecessor, thanks to the new M2 and M2 Pro chips. The Thunderbolt 4 ports allow you to connect 3 screens instead of just 2. All these advantages make the Mac Mini (2023) especially useful if you're looking for a desktop for professional use.
