Digital Trends
Apple’sMacBook Airis an implausibly democratic twist , and it ’s our plectron for thebest MacBookyou can purchase . But there ’s a strong case to be made for eliminate over it and buy aMac miniinstead . Apple ’s screen background computer is cheaper , put up more showing and interface , and is better for your posture . Those reasons could be enough to carry the balance in its favour .
If you ’re on the fence , give this templet a read to see if it helps you make up your mind . Here , we ’ll show you four of the most compelling cause to buy a Mac mini instead of a MacBook Air .
Digital Trends
It’s much cheaper
The MacBook Air is Apple ’s most low-priced laptop computer . begin at $ 999 for the M2 model or $ 1,099 for the M3 edition , it ’s a tremendously unspoiled mickle considering what you get . But the Mac mini blows all of that out of the water supply .
The former interpretation of the Mac mini begin at just $ 599 , saving you either $ 300 or $ 400 against the MacBook Air . That ’s serious preservation .
certain , the Mac mini does n’t come with a video display , mouse , or keyboard , but you’re able to potentially get all of those for less than the $ 300 or $ 400 you ’ll make back by not bribe a MacBook Air .
The only St. Mark against the Mac mini is that it does n’t have an choice with Apple’sM3 chip , which get going some way of life to explaining the monetary value difference . But the M2 is still a substantial fleck , and if you ’re not overprotect about the M3 , the Mac mini is a nifty alternative .
It supports more external displays
One of the MacBook Air ’s key weaknesses has always been its special support for outside displays , and that is still a problem today . It ’s an area where the Mac miniskirt clearly overstretch ahead .
The MacBook Air with M2 chip will only solve with one external display at up to 6 M resolution and 60Hz refresh rate . The M3 MacBook Air is better , but not by much — it supports the same unmarried 6 K exhibit , plus a 5 K display at 60Hz refresh rateif you conclude the MacBook Air ’s presentation .
The Mac mini , in contrast , proffer a little more . Go with the M2 Pro Mac miniskirt , for representative , and you ’ll get support for up to three international displays . The exact arrangement varies : two 6 K at 60Hz and one 4 thousand at 60Hz ; one 6 KiB at 60Hz and one 4 K at 144Hz ; one 8 K at 60Hz ; or one 4 kelvin at 240Hz . That ’s a mint of flexibleness that the MacBook Air just ca n’t match .
Even the entry - degree M2 Mac miniskirt sour with more external displays than the M2 MacBook Air . Here , the M2 Mac miniskirt supports up to two displays ( one at 6 K and 60Hz and either one at 5 K and 60Hz over Thunderbolt or one at 4 jet at 60Hz over HDMI ) . That ’s not quite as unattackable as the M3 MacBook Air ’s display reinforcement , but remember that you ’ll pay importantly less for the Mac mini .
You get way more ports
Much of the Mac mini ’s extensive external video display supporting fall down to its port selection , and this is another orbit where the background Mac offers a dear package than the MacBook Air .
The MacBook Air has long been limited to USB - C ports , and even when the MacBook Pro brought more larboard mixture back to the mesa , the MacBook Air continued to miss out . Whether you go for the M2 or M3 model , you ’ll get twoThunderbolt / USB 4 slots , with a MagSafe connector and a 3.5 mm earpiece jack rounding it out .
That ’s nothing equate to the Mac miniskirt . Here , you ’ll get either two or four Thunderbolt 4 port ( bet on if you buy the M2 or M2 Pro model ) , two USB - A time slot , an HDMI port , a Gigabit Ethernet connector ( upgradeable to 10Gb Ethernet ) , plus a 3.5 mm earpiece shit . If you desire to link your peripherals without having to trust on a crowd of dongles , the Mac miniskirt is the clear winner .
Bonus: It’s better for your posture
This last surgical incision is more of a bonus decimal point to consider because it ’s an indirect benefit of the Mac miniskirt , but it ’s still important : the Mac miniskirt could be better for your military strength .
Unlike the MacBook Air , the Mac mini does n’t do with a built - in show , which imply you want to source your own monitor lizard . External displaysgive you a pot more control over the height and positioning of the screen , which means it ’s a lot easier to get it to a comfy height that ensures good posture and prevents ailments like back pain and sore neck .
With the MacBook Air , however , you’re able to end up hunching over its concealment and causing yourself all kinds of discomfort . Because it is angled down from your eyeline , arch your back is just part and parcel of using it . And that ’s not good for your body .
I speak from experience here . Many years ago , I used a laptop every day , but stooping over it became so painful that I had to change over to a desktop with an external varan . Ever since then my posture has improved and my back pain is a thing of the past .
Of naturally , you may hook your MacBook Air up with a separate exhibit and avoid this trouble , but many people wo n’t . The Mac mini forces you into better stance , which at long last is better for you in the foresightful condition .
Which should you choose?
So , should you pick a Mac miniskirt instead of a MacBook Air ? A lot of the resolution comes down to the way you intend to apply the computer . If you want a lightweight , portable machine that you could take anywhere you go , the MacBook Air will always win . While the Mac mini itself is small and light , the need to carry around a monitor , black eye , and keyboard bring in it much less practical .
But if that ’s not a factor and you ’re looking for a electronic computer that you will utilise at home plate or in an office , the Mac miniskirt might be the better wager . Its lower cost , better support for external displays , increased routine of ports , and benefits for your posture all make it an excellent selection over the MacBook Air .
Still not indisputable which one to select ? Here’show to know which Mac to buy , and when .
