Which Mac Is the Right Desktop Computer for You?
Apple’s transition from Intel to Apple silicon chips took the performance and efficiency of the Macs to a whole new level. Although this is a boon to anyone planning to buy a Mac, it can create confusion. After all, even the most affordable Mac mini offers so much power.
But how much performance would you need in the long run if you want a desktop Mac and which one should you get? Let’s check out your options.
iMac 24": Perfect for Mainstream Users
Although the 24-inch iMac is Apple’s entry-level desktop computer, it’s no slouch. This all-in-one desktop has the M1 Apple silicon as its beating heart. Although the M1 is the first Apple silicon chip the iPhone maker introduced in 2020, it’s still a powerful enough to hold its ground against newer Intel x86 processors.
One great thing about the iMac 24" is it includes the Magic Mouse and Magic Keyboard ID when you purchase it—a surprising move from a company that pioneered the exclusion of charging bricks and headphones from brand-new smartphones.
The base model iMac starts at $1,299 for the 8-core CPU/7-core GPU chip with two Thunderbolt / USB 4 ports. If you want an additional GPU core and two more USB 3 ports, you’ll have to shell out an extra $200.
You should note, though, that these are just the base 8GB RAM/256GB SSD models. Upgrading to higher 16GB RAM will cost you an additional $200, and going for greater SSD capacities will cost you between $200 to $800 extra. Furthermore, you can’t upgrade these later as they’re baked into the chip; you must get them at purchase.
Nevertheless, even the base model iMac is powerful enough for most tasks; that’s why we declaredthe M1 iMac the best desktop that Apple offers. So, if you’re looking for a Mac that’ll do most of your general tasks and then some, you won’t go wrong with the 24-inch iMac.
Mac mini: Ideal for Creatives on a Budget
Some would argue that the Mac mini is the true entry-level Apple desktop since it starts at just $599. However, you must consider that it doesn’t include anything in the box—no monitor, no keyboard, no mouse—all you get is a wall plug.
If you add the 27-inch Studio Display, Magic Mouse, and Magic Keyboard into the mix, the total price jumps to $2,396. Even if you forgo the $1,599 Studio Display and choose the much cheaper (but still comparable to the iMac)24-inch 4K LG UltraFine display, which costs $700 on Amazon at the time of writing, you’re still out by almost $1,500.
But why should you go for the Mac mini? First off, it’s equipped with the more powerful Apple M2 chip. So, if you’re a power user, you’d want to get this over the iMac. Secondly, the Mac mini has a built-in Gigabit Ethernet port (which you can configure to 10Gb), two Thunderbolt 4 ports, two USB-A ports, and an HDMI port. And thirdly, you can enjoy two monitors via two USB-C ports or USB-C and HDMI.
Users needing even more power, like video editors and animators, couldupgrade the Mac mini to the M2 Pro chip. Aside from the additional power, you get two extra Thunderbolt 4 ports, plus the capability to run three displays.
If you already have a great display and Mac-compatible peripherals, it might make more sense to go for the base Mac mini instead of the 24-inch iMac. You could then spend the money you save on extra RAM or storage to make your computer last longer.
Even if you don’t have an excellent display and the peripherals to match, the Mac mini is still the better choice over the iMac if you have computing-intensive tasks like video editing and rendering. The larger form factor of the mini will allow it to cool better, helping you avoid thermal throttling.
But if you’re also looking at portability, check out ourMacBook Air vs. Mac mini comparisonbefore deciding.
Mac Studio: Beefed Up Mac mini for Professionals
While you could get the powerful M2 Pro with the top-end Mac mini, you might still want to go for the Max or Ultra version of the M1. That’s because the performance of theM1 Max and M1 Ultra chips goes much higher than the M2and could even outperform the M2 Pro.
And with much greater performance comes the need for much greater cooling. That’s why the Mac Studio is more than 60% taller and heavier than the Mac mini—this bigger space is occupied mainly by two massive fans and an absolute unit of a heat sink.
Besides more computing power, the Mac Studio also offers you other benefits. You get two additional USB-C ports and an SDXC card slot on the front face. You can attach five displays to the Mac Studio—four Pro Display XDRs at 6K/60Hz each over USB-C and a 4K/60Hz monitor via HDMI.
The Mac Studio also starts with 32GB of unified memory and 512GB of storage for $1,999. You’ll pay the same price if you configure a Mac mini with a 12-core M2 Pro chip to have similar specifications. So, why notgo for the Mac Studio instead?
But if this still isn’t enough, you can configure the Mac Studio with an M1 Ultra chip, 128GB of memory, and an 8TB SSD. This will cost you dearly, but its power is absolutely worth it.
Mac Pro: Money Is No Object
The Mac Pro is the oldest model Apple has on offer at the time of writing. Apple launched it in 2019, a year before we received Apple silicon chips, so it isn’t as fast as the other Macs here. But, despite being only powered by older Intel chips, there’s one thing that makes this model stand out—upgradability.
The Mac Pro is the only Apple desktop you can upgrade after the fact—whether you want greater RAM, bigger storage, or more GPUs. However, since it’s a Mac Pro, it commands a premium even if it’s an old model. This desktop starts at $5,999 and will only increase if you add more goodies. The Mac Pro is also known for its infamous $400 wheels.
But if you need a Mac that will not compromise anything, you should wait untilApple’s WWDC 2023 event, where we expect the company to launch several new products, including the Apple silicon Mac Pro—maybe we’ll finally get an upgradeable Apple-silicon-powered Mac.
Choose the Right Mac for You
Apple has a desktop Mac for every budget—from the sub-$600 Mac mini to the $1,300 iMac, $2,000 Mac Studio and even the highest-end Mac Pro that starts at nearly $6,000.
So, whether you’re a student that needs something that gets the job done or a business owner that needs the fastest computer to save your valuable time on each project you take, there’s a Mac for you.
Apple offers a variety of MacBooks, but how do you know which one’s perfect for you? We’ll help you out so you don’t end up overspending.
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