Skip to main content
  1. Home
  2. Computing
  3. Deals

Digital Trends may earn a commission when you buy through links on our site. Why trust us?

Don’t fall for this Mac Mini (M1) deal — buy this instead

Jennifer Allen
By
Image used with permission by copyright holder

It’s a miracle. The notoriously deals-stingy Apple has not one but two different models of the Mac Mini on sale today. In one corner we have the Apple Mac Mini with an M1 processor at B&H Photo Video for $519 saving you $180. The challenger (and ultimately the winner) in the other corner is the latest Apple Mac Mini with an M2 chip for just $557. Sure, the M1 chip model is cheaper, but just $37 more gets you a faster, more powerful Mac Mini that will ultimately last longer and work better. You’ll be glad you upgraded.

Why you should buy the Apple Mac Mini M2

A fantastic alternative for anyone checking out the best MacBooks, the Apple Mac Mini M2 is perfect for your home office thanks to it being powerful yet taking up hardly any room. We’ve already evaluated the differences between the Mac Mini M2 and M1 and the results are great. The M1 was already a fast processor but the base M2 chip adds an extra 12% of speed which soon adds up. It also has support for Thunderbolt 4 unlike the M1 being restricted to Thunderbolt 3. There’s also an update for wireless connectivity with support for Wi-Fi 6E and Bluetooth 5.3 setting you up for the future.

In terms of sheer prowess, the Apple Mac Mini M2 also packs a punch where it counts. Besides the M2 chip with an 8-core CPU and 10-core GPU, there’s 8GB of memory and 256GB of SSD storage. While more storage may have been nice (you can always easily add some with one of the best external hard drives), the rest of the specs are more than good enough to run MacOS given it’s all designed with the operating system in mind. Our Apple Mac Mini M2 buying guide breaks things down in further detail and explains why certain components make more sense.

Related

Besides the two Thunderbolt 4 ports, you also get two USB-A ports, an HDMI port, Gigabit Ethernet, and a headphone jack — something that’s often omitted these days. Running efficiently in every way, it’s an ideal system for content creators and anyone that wants a fast desktop system. Just add on one of the best monitors and you’re good to go.

The Apple Mac Mini M2 is currently $557 at Amazon and a far better deal than other retailers offering the aging Apple Mac Mini M1 for $519. Snap it up now and you’ll soon be enjoying faster performance as you work.

Editors' Recommendations

Topics
Jennifer Allen
Jennifer Allen
Deals Writer
Jennifer Allen is a technology writer with over 10 years of experience. She primarily writes about the best deals coverage…
Lenovo’s 2-in-1 Chromebook has a $150 discount at Best Buy
Someone using the Lenovo Chromebook Flex 3i in tent mode.

The Lenovo Flex 3 Chromebook, a dependable and versatile device, is currently available from Best Buy with a $150 discount that pulls its price down to a more affordable $329 from its original price of $479. Not only is this one of the most attractive Chromebook deals in the market right now, but it's also a highly recommended choice if you're looking for 2-in-1 laptop deals. We don't expect this offer to last long though, so if you think this will be the perfect companion for you, you're going to have to push through with the purchase as soon as you can.

Why you should buy the Lenovo Flex 3 Chromebook
The Lenovo Flex 3 Chromebook is equipped with the Intel Pentium Silver N6000 processor, integrated Intel UHD Graphics, and 8GB of RAM. These specifications are far from what you'll see in the best laptops, but they're more than enough for your everyday activities because of Google's Chrome OS. The operating system of Chromebooks is web-dependent, so it doesn't need high-end components to function smoothly. It's also equipped with just a 64GB eMMC, but since you'll have access to Google Drive for cloud storage, you'll still have enough space for your files.

Read more
Dell XPS 13, Apple MacBook Air (M1) prices slashed for a limited time
The Dell XPS 13, open on a table in front of a window.

For anyone seeking one of the best laptop deals around, you've got some great options available to you right now. Amazon has cut the price of the MacBook Air M1 while Dell has done similar with the Dell XPS 13. If you're trying to decide between macOS or Windows 11, whatever you go for will be a more affordable price than usual. We're here to tell you a little more about both so you can soon figure out what's best for your needs.
Dell XPS 13 -- $599, was $799

We described the Dell XPS 13 as the "true answer to the MacBook Air" thanks to its great design and excellent specs. Dell is one of the best laptop brands around and this system demonstrates why. You get a 12th-generation Intel Core i5 processor, 8GB of memory and 256GB of SSD storage. Such specs are just right for being able to work productively on the move or from your home office. There's also an attractive 13.4-inch full HD+ screen with a 1920 x 1200 resolution and 500 nits of brightness. It's Dell's thinnest and lightest 13-inch XPS yet while still offering up to 12 hours of battery life which should suit most people. Other useful features include bigger internal speakers compared to previous models, along with a minimalist design and a dual-sensor camera that makes it easy to log in with Windows Hello compared to usual methods. It's a reliable laptop all around.

Read more
The HP Pavilion laptop is $400 cheaper today, but don’t wait
The HP Pavilion 15t-eg300 laptop against a white background.

One of the best laptop deals today comes from HP with a massive $400 off the HP 15-inch Pavilion. Normally priced at $1,000, it's down to $600 for a limited time only. Likely to be a clearance deal or one that's very slim on stock, you're going to need to be quick so you don't miss out on this offer. If you need to know a little more, keep reading while we take you through what you need to know.

Why you should buy the HP 15-inch Pavilion
With HP being one of the best laptop brands around, you can trust the HP 15-inch Pavilion to be good quality for the price. This particular model has an Intel Core i7 processor, 16GB of memory and 256GB of SSD storage. Those are the key essentials for getting plenty of work done productively, while you also have the benefit of an i7 processor that you rarely see in this price range.

Read more