Mac mini 2023 is the second iteration of Mac mini models with Apple silicone processors. This year, Mac mini receives M2 and M2 Pro processors. The base model comes with M2 processor with 8-core CPU and 10-core GPU, 8GB RAM (unified memory), 256GB SSD storage and Gigabit Ethernet. For users who wants more, this machine can be customised with RAM up to 32G, storage up to 8TB, optional 10 Gigabit Ethernet and processor up to Apple M2 Pro with 12-core CPU, 19-core GPU, and 16-core Neural Engine.

I have used Mac mini for my primary desktop computer since 2007. My last Mac mini was late 2014 model. It served me well for more than 7 years. It started showing its age when I got notification from Microsoft updater that the latest version of Microsoft Office is not compatible with macOS 10.14.6 that I still run there. Yes, I know I could upgrade to macOS 10.15, but I still need a few old apps that will stop working if I update to Catalina. So I decided the time I will take the leap to all 64-bit apps is when I upgrade my machine.

Last year, I waited patiently for Mac mini refresh. I could get 2020 model with M1 processor, but I could not justify such purchase when I know M2 models are coming. Sadly, there was no new Mac mini in 2022. Instead, Apple released Mac Studio. A cool machine, but a serious overkill for what I need. So I waited some more and was excited when 2023 started with a great news: Mac mini refresh with M2 and M2 Pro.

I ordered my new Mac mini with M2 Pro because the high end model comes with 4 Thunderbolt 4 (USB-C) ports and I need to upgrade the RAM and internal storage.

When it finally arrived, the new Mac mini looks exactly like my old 2014 model, except for the back panel, the location of LED indicator, and the lack IR sensor at the front. I am totally fine with this because my desk is not very large and I like the fact that my new computer will take exactly the same space as the old one.

Setting up a new Mac is always easy, thanks to Time Machine backup. 2023 Mac mini comes with macOS Ventura, and I am prepared that some of my old apps will no longer work. Throughout the waiting time for Mac mini with M2 processor last year, I slowly obtained replacements of those old apps, so when I set up my new machine, I only need to figure out one thing: Adobe Photoshop.

My old machine has Adobe Photoshop CS6 installed. That was the last Photoshop version before they started the subscription model. I need Photoshop, but not for anything professional. Therefore I simply could not justify spending monthly cost for Creative Cloud subscription. I was looking for alternative products when I found out that Adobe does offer Photoshop Elements with one off purchase (which is a lot cheaper than what I paid for my Photoshop CS6). I checked the feature list, Photoshop Elements seems to cover everything I need to do, and thus my problem was immediately solved. As a bonus, my Photoshop Elements 2023 can be configured to open WEBP files directly, something I could not do with my old CS6.

Data restore to the new computer was quick and smooth. I took a few days to get used to some of the new apps, especially that my iPhone does not connect to iTunes anymore. I still mistakenly open Music app a few times when I need to sync my phone, but I am sure that opening Finder will become a new habit soon. For the most part, it is the same macOS that I know and love, but with some improvements.

The biggest change from the old machine is how quiet my 2023 Mac mini. It is insanely fast for my everyday use. Within less than a week, I get used to the new speed and I am not sure if I can ever go back. Last week I needed to open my old Mac mini to logout from Microsoft Office, and I could immediately tell the wide gap of performance. Perhaps it is to be expected, considering that I upgraded from a 7+ years old machine.

Machine temperature is another noticeable difference. My 2014 Mac mini could get quite hot when doing some heavy work. The same work barely increases the temperature of 2023 Mac mini at all. In fact, I never noticed my new machine goes beyond very slightly lukewarm.

All my music from iTunes library are transferred without issue to the new Music app. Same with my ebooks and movies. The Home app is finally useful (the Home app in Mojave was so clunky I did not even think to use it). One thing that confused me a bit was the fact that newer macOS versions seems to enforce folder location for cloud storage apps, such as Dropbox, Google Drive and Microsoft OneDrive. Took me a while to get used to, but that is another thing that requires change of habit.

Everyday computing feels so fast and snappy. Computer startup is less than 5 seconds. Mac mini 2023 is not a fancy machine that will wow people with how it looks, but it is everything I hope from my main personal computer. Love this upgrade. Looking forward to using it for the next 7 years or maybe more.