Apple announces M2 versions of the Mac Mini 14-inch and 16-inch MacBook Pros

Today Apple announced updates to the Mac mini and 14-inch and 16-inch MacBook Pro lines. All of these machines have versions of the M2 processor. Before we delve into the specific products, let us look at the M2 and M2 Pro.

M2 Pro and M2 Max

The M2 Pro and M2 Max build on the M2 and provide even faster capabilities. The M2 Pro has 40 billion transistors, which is 20% more than the M1 Pro, and double the M2. According to Apple graphics processing on the M2 Pro is up to 30% faster than the M1 Pro.

The M2 Max has 67 billion transistors on the chip, The graphics processing in the M2 Max sees a similar increase to that of the M2 Pro, and is up to 30% faster than the M1 Max. Next, let us look at the Mac mini.

Here are three overview images from the introduction video:

M2 feature and options overview

M2 Pro feature and options overview

M2 Max feature and options overview

Mac mini

The Mac mini was one of the first machines to begin the transition from Intel to Apple Silicon, with the introduction of the M1-based Mac mini in November of 2020. At the time a higher end configuration of the 2018 Intel Mac mini remained on sale. Today, that item is no longer on sale because Apple has introduced two new Mac minis, with the M2 and M2 Pro processors.

There are three models overall, two with an M2, and one with an M2 Pro.

The first model is an M2 with 8-Core CPU, 10-Core CPU with 8GB memory and 256GB of storage that starts at $599. The second model is the same M2 with an 8-Core CPU, 10-Core CPU with 8GB memory, but has 512GB of storage, that starts at $799. You can configure either of these models with up to 24GB of unified memory, and up to 2TB of storage.

The last model is an M2 Pro with 10-Core CPU, 16-Core GPU, 16GB of unified memory, and 512GB SSD Storage, which starts at $1299. This can be configured to use 12-core CPU, 19-core GPU, processor if desired. This model can also be configured with 32GB of unified memory. The storage options allow you to configure it with up to 8TB of storage.

All models allow you to configure a 10-gigabit per second adapter for $100. All models have 2 USB-A ports, 2 USB-C ports, an HDMI port, and a 3.5mm Headphone jack. The M2 Pro model has 4 USB-C ports. All of the machines come with Wi-Fi 6E and Bluetooth 5.3.

As mentioned above, the Mac mini starts at $599, which is $100 less than the previous M1 Mac mini. There is only one color for this Mac mini, silver. You can order it today and it will begin arriving starting January 24th. Let us now move onto the MacBook Pros.

Mac mini feature and options overview

MacBook Pro

The 14-inch and 16-inch MacBook Pro moved from Intel to Apple Silicon in 2021 and were introduced with the M1 Pro and M1 Max. Today, these machines received an update to the M2 Pro and M2 Max. There are two M2 Pro processors, and two M2 Max processors. All models have 4 effiency cores, and either 6 or 8 high-performance cores.

Here are the processo options available:

• M2 Pro with 10‑core CPU, 16‑core GPU, 16‑core Neural Engine (14-inch only)
• M2 Pro with 12‑core CPU, 19‑core GPU, 16‑core Neural Engine
• M2 Max with 12‑core CPU, 30‑core GPU, 16‑core Neural Engine
• M2 Pro with 12‑core CPU, 38‑core GPU, 16‑core Neural Engine

The M2 Pro models can be configured with 16GB or 32GB of unified memory, the 30-Core CPU M2 Max can be configured with 32GB or 64GB of unified memory, and the 38-core GPU M2 Max can be configured with 32GB, 64GB, or 96GB of unified memory. All models can be configured with 512GB, 1TB, 2TB, 4TB, or even 8TB of storage.

All 14-inch models come with 96-watt power bricks, that support fast charging, with the exception of the 10-core version, which only has a 67-watt power brick. The 16-inch models all come with 140-watt power bricks, which also support fast charging, with the 140-watt adapter.

According to Apple, battery life has improved as well with the 14-inch models now getting up to 18 hours of , and the 16-inch models getting up to 22 hours.

The 14-inch MacBook Pro with a 10-Core GPU, 16-core GPU M2 Pro, 16GB of unified memory, and 512GB of storage starts at $1999. The 16-inch model with an M2 Pro with 12‑core CPU, 19‑core GPU, 16GB of unified memory, and 512GB of storage starts at $2499.

There is one tidbit with these machines, the MagSafe cable is now color-matched to the machine. Previously, these the MagSafe cable would be silver. Just like the Mac mini, you can order these machines today and they will start arriving on January 24th. Custom build times have slipped from late-January to early-February.

MacBook Pro feature and options overview

Closing Thoughts

Today's updates are smaller, in comparison to that of the M1, but they are great additions to the Mac line up. THe Intel-based Mac mini is no longer available, but it was four years old, so it not the worst thing. The M2 Pro Mac mini would be a fantastic upgrade for anybody who is still using an Intel Mac mini.

The 14-inch and 16-inch MacBook Pros offer some good upgrades, and keep the same base price. The highest-end configurations have increased in price, but if you are in the market for those, you know you need the power.

Source: Apple Newsroom: , M2 Pro and M2 Max, Mac mini, MacBook Pros