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When the Mac mini first launched way back in 2005, it was a low-cost way to attract Windows “switchers.”
New users coming from the PC world could dip their toes in the warm Apple waters without shelling out for a much pricier Mac laptop, iMac or Power Mac tower.
Plus, switchers saved considerable expense by reusing their current monitor, keyboard, mouse and other peripherals.
Of course, the mini was never the fastest Mac, nor the most connected, and definitely not the most upgradeable. But what users sacrificed in performance they made up in value.
In the decades since, the Mac mini has maintained this proposition — it’s still arguably the best value in all computing — but the machine has matured into quite a capable desktop.
These days, it appeals not just to switchers and budget buyers, but everyone who wants a great desktop Mac but doesn’t need an all-in-one like the iMac, or the raw power of a much pricier Mac Studio.
This is reflected in the configuration choices of the new Mac mini models, which come in two flavors: a basic, entry-level version powered by the brand-new M6 chip; and a more powerful variant that runs on the older M5 Pro.
It may seem counterintuitive, but the M5 Pro offers several advantages over the new M6, which we break down in our top post today. If you’re eyeing one of these new Mac minis, check it out to see which chip will suit you better.
Also in today’s newsletter:
I upgraded my work iMac to the macOS Golden Gate beta, and for days it was nigh-unusable as everything got indexed, especially for the new Siri AI. I made a half-hearted attempt to check its progress, without much luck. So I’m delighted to see Apple just published guidelines about speeding up the process.
One interesting development with modern Macs is the move away from internal upgrades in favor of fast and voluminous external peripherals, like these latest portable drives from Samsung. The new SSDs really crank up the capacities and connection speeds.
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Apple’s built-in translation tool is pretty good, but can’t match Google’s offering in terms of the number of languages covered. Here’s how to switch the default.
🔥 DEAL OF THE DAY: This is the deal every Apple fan has been waiting for. #affiliate
This new charger can juice a MacBook but is way smaller than Apple’s standard charger, has more ports, and boasts a super-cool display to boot. Check out our hands-on review.
— Leander Kahney, EIC.
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One way to remember who you are is to remember who your heroes are.
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