Despite the height difference, this still means the NUC has not only a smaller footprint on a desk than the Mac mini, but also takes up a smaller volume for the computer itself. The Intel NUC itself, however, is smaller measuring a mere 4.4 inches by 4.6 inches, though it does sit taller at 2 inches high for the 'tall' variant that can house a 2.5-inch SSD. The distinctive flat shape helps make it a design classic, assisted with the neat edges and the rounded corners, making it unmistakably Apple in its appearance. In a pinch, it could easily be placed on its side and stored wedged between books on a bookshelf.Īdding the power supply to the footprint of the Intel NUC brings it much closer to the Mac mini Measuring 7.7 inches square and 1.4 inches thick, the Mac mini is a short but wide design, which makes it quite stackable with other hardware, or used as a plinth. Micro SD card slot, IR sensor, Kensington lock slot Wi-Fi (802.11ac), Gigabit Ethernet, Bluetooth 5.0 Wi-Fi (802.11ac), Gigabit Ethernet (10Gb Ethernet option), Bluetooth 5.0 While the tiny Mac mini has certainly proved itself as a capable and compact Mac over the years, it isn't the only computing appliance on the market capable of providing enough processing for users while being minimal in stature. We're seeing people buy it who simply don't have enough space for a full-blown mini tower PC, and just need something that occupies very little room but provides vast amounts of processing power.

It also fits into the category of being an entry point into macOS usage, with it being an ideal first Mac for switchers from Windows-based PCs. At the time, the diminutive desktop from Apple hadn't been updated in a long time - and we're getting back to that point again, with it having been a year and a processor generation since release.Įven with the professional-oriented release from 2018, the Mac mini resides in a section of the market aimed at people who don't need an additional monitor, as a MacBook or iMac includes, due to already owning a display.

We've spoken about the Mac mini and how it lines up with Intel's Next Unit of Computing (NUC) before.

The compact boxes for each hint at the small stature of the pint-sized powerhouses

2017 mac mini or nuc