You can’t get a much better desktop computer for the money than Apple’s recent Mac Mini. It’s small, it’s sleek and it’s mighty, thanks to the use of the continuously impressive chips Apple makes in house. Normally, this little workhorse starts at $599, but Amazon has it going for $479 right now.
The Mac Mini, updated with the newer M2 chip, has a lot more power than you’d expect from a desktop PC this small and affordable. The 512GB model is also on sale, though the discount varies.
As the name suggests, the Mac Mini is small. It’s a squat little square measuring just 7.75 inches to a side. It not only makes for an elegant desk setup but also for a desktop computer you could slide into a backpack and use with a portable monitor. It also pairs with many of the other deals on electronics we’re tracking right now to build out a desktop workstation for less.
Despite its small size, the Mac Mini has a decent selection of ports with a full-size HDMI port, two USB-A ports, an Ethernet jack and two Thunderbolt 4 ports that open up a whole world of options for connectivity. Because the internal storage is not upgradeable, that high-speed connectivity in the back could be handy if you need more storage down the line.
For everyday computing, this Mac Mini will be more than up to the task. In our review, it easily ran dozens of browser tabs, a handful of communication apps and output visuals to two monitors without any slowdowns. Even photographic work is snappy. With all it offers, this Mac Mini is already a hell of a deal at $599, so it’s only that much better with $120 off. All that makes it a great option to consider as a last-minute Father’s Day gift.