Mac Mini vs. Mac Studio Buyer's Guide: 20+ Differences Compared

In 2025, Apple updated the Mac Studio with M4 Max and M3 Ultra chips. The Mac mini, refreshed last year with M4 and M4 Pro, offers "Pro" capabilities at a lower price. This creates a decision point for users who don't need the Mac Pro's expandability. The Mac mini and Mac Studio share a similar design and Apple silicon but differ significantly in chip options, memory, ports, and display support. The Mac Studio offers M4 Max or M3 Ultra chips, greater memory bandwidth, and more ports. The Mac mini features the M4 or M4 Pro chips, while being smaller and lighter. The M4 Pro Mac mini is often the better choice over the base M4 Max Mac Studio for most users. The Mac Studio is better suited for intense workflows needing more power, ports, and memory. When considering the Mac Studio, remember the Mac mini uses newer chip technology. Budget plays a role in choosing between the two, and consider investing savings in a good display.