Comparison Between Mac Mini and Chromebox
The mini desktop has become a new normal, with several manufacturers trying to bring in this format in their brands. You must be aware of Apple’s Mac Mini and how people got crazy when this device was launched.
Soon after, brands started to develop Chromebox with similar features like Mac Mini, which is a trendy alternative. Several brands have launched a Chromebox, like Samsung, and all of these brands are trying to take over the popularity of Mac Mini by keeping the price as the USP of the device.
We believe that the mass mentality is that if you can get similar features and good specifications in a cheaper device, why would you go for something expensive. And with this only thought, Chromebox is being created by the manufacturers.
Even though Chromebox and Mac Mini both have pretty similar features, they still differ from each other in various factors, and today, in this article, we will be discussing a proper comparison between Apple’s Mac Mini and Chromebox.
Comparison Between Mac Mini and Chromebox
The comparison between Mac Mini and chrome box is divided into various categories to make it more straightforward for the readers.
Design
The first category of comparison is design because the design and the look are the only thing that the purchases look like in a device, and both the devices have kept that in mind to make it look good for the target audience.
Mac Mini
- Apple-designed M1 chip for a giant leap in CPU, GPU, and machine learning performance
- 8-core CPU packs up to 3x faster performance to fly through workflows quicker than ever*
- 8-core GPU with up to 6x faster graphics for graphics-intensive apps and games*
- 16-core Neural Engine for advanced machine learning
- 8GB of unified memory so everything you do is fast and fluid
Apple is one of the most popular brands. Therefore, most people anyway go after its devices just because of the name; however, the design of Apple’s Mac Mini is one of the chicest designs that you can get.
With every device dad Apple launches, you can see significant growth in aesthetics, upgradability and features. In the overall design, Mac Mini has round corners, and all the placement of the ports is on one side, which makes it smooth looking on the front.
Chromebox
- Intel Celeron 5205U processor with pre-installed DDR4 4GB RAM, 32GB eMMC stroage, WiFi 6, USB Type C, MicroSD Card Reader, VESA Mount, and Chrome OS
- Dual HDMI and USB-C 3.2 Gen 1 ports support up to three 4K displays
- Intel WiFi 6 for ultrafast network speeds
- USB-C 3.2 Gen 1 and USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-A ports enable quick data transfers, and USB-C also supports power delivery and DisplayPort connections
- New lockable VESA mount securely attaches to surfaces and offers expanded usage scenarios
On the other hand, a Chromebox does not have anything new or unique in the design. They are highly traditional, like regular desktops, and when compared with Mac Mini, they can indeed lack behind in the design area.
Each brand’s Chromebox has a different design; however, most of the Chromeboxes you will find have a compact shape, one of the most significant features that you can find with Mac Mini.
Chromebox is lightweight and space-saving; however, the design is not aesthetically appealing. Most of the Chromeboxes you will get will also have antennas, but that depends on the brand.
All the brands that create Chromebox have given a traditional black colour look to the device, which can be a little on the downside compared with the shiny silver look of Apple’s Mac Mini.
Final say: In the end, we will have to say that in the comparison of design, Mac Mini takes the lead with its stylish, modern and compact look.
Read it also: Mac Mini i5 VS i7
Processor and Performance
The next category comes to the processor and performance because even if a device is stylish, but does not render outstanding performance, what is the point of having a suitable looking machine that does nothing?
Chromebox Processor & Performance
Chromebox is generally equipped with dual-core processors of various versions depending on its manufacturer. The speed at which a Chromebox can run is up to 1.9 GHz, which can be heartbreaking if you want to use this device for a professional and higher level of work.
Most of the brands have curated a chrome box with 4GB memory, and most of the devices come with an upgraded storage capacity, which is quite interesting for the money you pay for it. However, unfortunately, you cannot upgrade the memory of a Chromebox.
Mac Mini Processor & Performance
On the other hand, we have Mac Mini, which has to be on the top compared to the performance and processor with the Chromeboxes. Mac Mini comes in two versions, i3 core and i5 core, and both the versions render outstanding and robust performance to the users.
The processor of Mac Mini works at a speed of 2.3 GHz, and you can boost it up to 3.2 GHz, which enhances the overall performance of this device.
Another fascinating thing about Mac Mini is that although the primary memory of this device is 4GB, you can upgrade it up to 8GB, 16GB, 32GB as per your wish. This is an added advantage that you do not get in Chromebox.
Final Say: The winning in the comparison of processor and performance has to be awarded to Mac Mini because of its upgradable memory, robust performance, and outstanding fast processor, which is the best if you want to do professional and high-end work.
Size
Most of the Chromeboxes and Mac Mini can look similar to the users if they don’t label them because they are almost identical. Chromebox is also square-shaped like Mac Mini with rounded edges.
The weight of the Mac Mini is around 2.70 Pounds, and the measurement is 7.7 x 7.7 x 2.7. Mac Mini does look aesthetically appealing, but it is a bit thick on the sides, and a tad bit heavyweight can be disadvantageous for some people.
On the other hand, the weight of Chromeboxes is slightly light, which is 2.45 to 2.50 pounds.
The lightweight of the Chromebox is an advantage, and in size as well, we will have to agree that Mac Mini falls short in this area.
The measurements of Chromeboxes is around 7.5 x 7.6 x 1.3 inches which makes them more compact than Mac Mini. Although these measurements differ with each brand, the average size is around this only.
Final Say: Since Chromebox is slimmer, smaller and lighter than Mac Mini, it has an advantage because you can keep it anywhere and carry it wherever you want without feeling much weight.
Ports and Connectivity Options
The next category of comparison is the connectivity options and the availability of ports. You can find several ports in both Mac Mini and from boxes; however, one advantage that you get with Mac Mini is the availability of the thunderbolt sports considered to be the near future advancement as per the Apple.
In Chromeboxes, you generally get dual display port connections, HDMI ports, USB 3.0 ports and so on. All the ports you get in Chromebox can support 1080p and 2560 X 1600.
Mac Mini provides HDMI displays. However, when it comes to the USB ports, you get several of them on both boxes. Now let’s talk about the placement of the connectivity options and ports. In Mac Mini, all the ports and connectivity options are given on the back so that the front design and look remains smooth and plain.
However, on the other hand, the ports and connectivity options in Chrome boxes are divided into different sides to have access to the USB and HDMI ports from wherever they want.
Both the devices come with an SD card slot for expanding the storage capacity, and you also get a headphone jack port on both Mac Mini and Chromebox.
Final Say: Mac Mini has a good chance of winning in this category because of the availability of thunderbolt ports, SD card expansion firewire and outstanding graphic crunching prowess.
Undoubtedly most of the ports and connectivity options are similar in both the devices, but the additional feature in Mac Mini certainly gives a plus one to this device.
Price Comparison
The last category of comparison is the price. Price is one of the most critical factors on which the purchase and choice of several users depend, and everybody wants to have a suitable quality device at an affordable price.
However, when talking about affordability, you will have to forget the name Mac Mini. It is pretty expensive than Chromeboxes because the average price of a Mac Mini starts from $500, and it is more if you buy the upgraded version of this device, which is a core i5.
Undoubtedly $500 appears to be more when you can quickly get a good Chromebox for around $300. See, when you buy a Chromebox, you save almost $200, which you can use for further investment in upgrading the storage or purchasing USB cables.
So if you also want to have a device that has good features and is pocket-friendly, you can go for Chromeboxes of any brand because all of the Chromeboxes are highly affordable compared with Apple’s Mac Mini.
Final Say: In the price comparison, the thumbs Up goes to Chromebox.
Which one is the Overall Winner of the Comparison Between Mac Mini and Chromebox?
In single categories, you must know which of the two devices are better. However, this can be extremely confusing because you get one feature better in one device and another in any other device. This might get you to question which one of the two devices is better overall.
Both the devices are outstanding. Apple Mac Mini and Chromebox both offer good features and have tremendous advantages. Still, when it comes to the overall performance, we believe the Apple Mac Mini is more potent than the Chromebox.
Overall Winner is Mac Mini.
The design of the Mac Mini is outstanding, so you get a stylish and aesthetically appealing device in your home. Along with the aesthetics and chic look, you get a robust processor and performance with a speed of 2.3 GHz that you do not get in Chromebox.
Even though we say Mac Mini is better than Chromebox, it still has few drawbacks, such as size and price. You can compromise when it comes to the size because you do have big computers and televisions in your home, and as compared to the Mac, the Mini is still compact.
You can keep it anywhere you want, and it won’t take up as much space as a full-fledged desktop does. So the size is still not the problem for many people, but the price can be.
By now, we all know that Mac Mini is more expensive than Chromebox but think for a minute that, whatever money you will spend on Mac Mini, you will get outstanding features in the return of that investment.
The features that you get in Mac Mini
ranging from the processor resolution storage is something that will enhance your work and entertainment quality.
So we do believe that in the end, the overall winner in the comparison between Mac Mini and Chromebox is undoubtedly Mac Mini.
Summing it Up
So, this was an entire comparison between Mac Mini and Chromebox, and as we said earlier, the quality and features of each Chromebox differ because of different manufacturers.
Although Mac Mini offers better features and quality than Chromebox, Chromeboxes are still an excellent alternative to Mac Mini if you are not willing to spend a lot of money purchasing Mac Mini.
Even by spending $300 to $400, you can have an outstanding Mini desktop at your home like Chromebox and enjoy good quality enhancement of your work and entertainment.
Let’s face it that Chromebox is not entirely bad or unmatched you with Mac Mini in some features like size, storage and price it has given neck to neck competition to Mac Mini. So, having this device in your home will not be a terrible decision.
