Memory: We recommend at least 8 GB of RAM for browsing the web and handling basic productivity tasks.With the exception of our budget contenders and the Mac mini, all the mini PCs in our test group have a midrange 12th-generation Intel processor. Processor: A mini PC needs a processor powerful enough to handle basic web browsing, light photo editing, and any office programs you use.And just as ever, the Mac mini’s flexibility is what makes it special. Even if you ignore iPhone apps completely, the transition is off to an impressive start considering just how smoothly everything comes together. But even then, the price-to-performance ratio for the Mac mini has never been better than with this changeover to Apple silicon. Doubling the default 256GB storage makes that cost climb higher to $1,099.

The $699 starting price is tempting, but most people will be better off upgrading to 16GB of unified memory, which puts you at $899. That potential will only grow when Apple inevitably raises the RAM ceiling and (hopefully) brings back those missing USB ports. It outperforms most Intel Macs in several benchmarks, runs apps reliably, and offers a fantastic day-to-day experience whether you’re using it for web browsing and email or for creative editing and professional work. Spending a few days with the 2020 Mac mini has shown me that it’s a barnburner of a miniature desktop PC. (It works as intended on the new laptops.) I think people are going to run into some confusion and disappointment, and it really seems like Apple should’ve made this an opt-in gallery instead of serving customers this weird mishmash. Why would I want to run a utility app for Samsung earbuds on my Mac? Or the Dunkin’ Donuts app? It’d be nice to use my favorite guitar tuner app, Fender Tune, but it doesn’t recognize any sound input since there’s no internal mic on the mini.

But a lot of what’s available just… doesn’t make sense. Some developers are likely holding off so they can polish their mobile apps to behave better on macOS. And many developers have opted out, meaning you won’t find mainstay apps like Gmail, Instagram (though Facebook is listed), Netflix, TikTok, and countless others. But even some that lack that warning - like Tumblr - totally crash when opened. Many of these will say that they haven’t been verified for Mac. If you head to the “purchased” area of the Mac App Store, you’ll now find a tab for iPhone and iPad apps.

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