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Engadget: $899 Mac mini offers more power than MacBook Air for desk-bound users

Engadget says Apple’s $899 Mac mini, with an M6 chip and 16GB of RAM, can be a better value than a $1,299 MacBook Air for users who do not need portability.

AI News Feed · 2026-10-28 04:45

The Mac mini’s base model includes Apple’s M6 chip and 16GB of RAM, Engadget reported. By comparison, the cheapest MacBook, the MacBook Neo, starts at $699 but uses the iPhone’s A18 Pro chip and 8GB of RAM. Engadget said the Mac mini’s hardware is enough for demanding applications such as Final Cut Pro and Xcode, making it a possible first Mac for people learning video editing or coding.

The desktop also has a fan-based cooling system, which Engadget said helps it maintain sustained CPU and GPU performance for longer than fanless MacBooks, which reduce performance when they get hot. The difference matters less for web browsing and document editing but can be visible in 4K video editing, code compilation and some 3D games, according to the report. The Mac mini also provides more ports than any MacBook, including multiple USB-C Thunderbolt ports, Ethernet, HDMI and a headphone jack.

The lower price comes with a trade-off. The Mac mini does not include a display, keyboard or mouse, following the “bring your own display, keyboard and mouse” approach. Engadget said buyers who already own those accessories can take full advantage of the $899 price, but those who need to buy them may see the total quickly add up to nearly the price of a new MacBook Air.

For users who work from coffee shops or travel frequently, Engadget said a MacBook remains the clear choice because it can be used anywhere without accessories. A laptop can also be connected to an external monitor, keyboard and mouse for desktop use at home. The Mac mini is positioned as the better option only when portability is not a priority and sustained performance is.