Every week, YouTube serves up another video with the same tired question:
“Which is better: the Mac Mini or the Mac Studio?”
The thumbnails show shocked faces and that unmistakable tone of manufactured suspense. As if the answer might change everything. As if it’s a mystery.
Let’s be real, it’s not.
Comparing the Mac Mini to the Mac Studio is like asking if a moped is better than a Ducati. They both have wheels, but they were built for entirely different riders.
When it comes to Apple hardware, the question isn’t “which is better.” It’s “how far are you willing (or able) to go?” The answer is not universal. It comes down to how much you can spend.
My Decision: Mac Studio M4 Max
A few months ago, I stood at the same crossroads. The Mac Mini had enough horsepower for most of what I do: programming, web design, graphic work. For a lot of users, it’s the perfect machine.
But I chose to go further. I went with the Mac Studio M4 Max, and I haven’t regretted it for a second.
That extra investment bought me more than just performance. It gave me freedom.
- I can run large MLX-optimized LLMs locally, including 20GB models, without waiting on a server or being at the mercy of my internet provider.
- I can produce music in Harrison Mixbus 10 Plus, using CPU-hungry plugins that brought Linux to its knees.
- I can work fluidly in Affinity Suite and Pixelmator Pro, with zero slowdown, zero stuttering, and no system babysitting.
That kind of consistency is rare and worth every cent I paid for it.
Alongside the Mac Studio, I’ve paired some fantastic peripherals like the Logitech MX S3 mouse and the Satechi S1 Slim keyboard that perfectly complement my setup.
My Brief Return to Windows
Last year, around Black Friday, I temporarily reinstalled Windows 11 on a Dell PC to troubleshoot some Linux-related issues. I figured I might stick with Windows on that machine, so I bought a copy of Affinity Photo.
To my surprise, on Black Friday 2024, Serif offered me a discounted upgrade to the full Affinity Suite. Looking back, it was meant to be because by last fall, I would have never dreamed of owning a Mac again.
The Centerpiece of My Workflow
These days, the Mac Studio sits at the center of my home office. It’s the most reliable, stable, and capable machine I’ve ever owned.
If my house were on fire and I could only grab one item, I wouldn’t think twice.
It would be the Mac Studio.
If my wife reads this, I want to clarify that the Mac Studio would be the first thing I rescue… right after her.
Final Thoughts
So no, the Mac Mini is not “better” or “worse” than the Mac Studio. They serve different needs, at different price points, for different kinds of users.
The next time you see one of those comparison videos asking which one you should buy, remember this:
If you’re asking whether a moped or a Ducati is better, you’re already missing the point.