Apple Mac mini (M1, 2020) vs. MacBook Air (M1, 2020) - Detailed Specs Comparison

Here is a side by side comparison between Apple Mac mini (M1, 2020) and MacBook Air (M1, 2020) specs including CPU, RAM, storage, battery, display, and more.

Apple Mac mini (M1, 2020) vs. MacBook Air (M1, 2020)

The Apple Mac mini (M1, 2020) features the 10W Apple M-Series ARM 64-bit 8-core Apple M1 with a clock speed of 3.20 GHz. While the MacBook Air (M1, 2020) features the 10W Apple M-Series ARM 64-bit 8-core Apple M1 (7 GPU Cores) up to 8-core Apple M1 with a clock speed of 3.20 GHz.

If you are in the market looking for a laptop and don't know what's the difference between the Apple Mac mini (M1, 2020) and the 13.3″ MacBook Air (M1, 2020) , we have a detailed tech specs comparison between both devices for you to check out here.

Apple Mac mini (M1, 2020) vs. MacBook Air (M1, 2020): Specs Comparison

Apple Mac mini (M1, 2020) image

Apple Mac mini (M1, 2020)

MacBook Air (M1, 2020) image

MacBook Air (M1, 2020)

Key Features
What's new
Better Performance
With the new Apple M1 Chip, it now 3x times faster in exporting a project in iMovie, 5x times faster applying 3D effects in Final Cut Pro, editing multiple streams 4K ProRes video in Final Cut Pro with no frame drop, 2x times faster in exporting photos in Lightroom, and more.
Better Battery Life
It's a MacBook Air with the longest battery life ever made, with up to 18-hours of watching movies and 15 hours of web browsing.
Better FaceTime HD camera
With the latest Apple Image Single Processor (ISP) in the M1 chip, image quality is better in noise reduction, greater dynamic range, and improved auto white balance.
Better Display
It now supports P3 wide color with 400-nits of display brightness.
More
  • Supports latest USB 4
  • Supports latest Wi-Fi 6
  • Better security with new Secure Enclave in M1 chip
What's missing
  • Supports only one extended 6K@60Hz display, while the older Intel version supports up to two 4K@60Hz.
  • Not supports for external Thunderbolt-3 enabled graphics processors (eGPUs).
AvailabilityApple Mac mini (M1, 2020)MacBook Air (M1, 2020)
Released20202020
Release InfoAnnounced on November 10th, 2020Announced on November 10th, 2020
Pricing
  • $699
    Apple M1 Chip | 8GB RAM | 256GB SSD
  • $899
    Apple M1 Chip | 8GB RAM | 512GB SSD
  • $999
    Apple M1 Chip (7 cores GPU) | 8GB RAM | 256GB SSD
  • $1,249
    Apple M1 Chip (8 cores GPU) | 8GB RAM | 512GB SSD
DisplayApple Mac mini (M1, 2020)MacBook Air (M1, 2020)
Size13.3 Inches
InfoRetina display
  • 13.3-inch (diagonal) LED-backlit display with IPS technology; 2560-by-1600 native resolution at 227 pixels per inch with support for millions of colors
  • Supported scaled resolutions:
    • 1680 by 1050
    • 1440 by 900
    • 1024 by 640
  • 16:10 aspect ratio
  • 400 nits brightness
  • Supports wide color (P3)
  • True Tone technology
ExteriorApple Mac mini (M1, 2020)MacBook Air (M1, 2020)
Size Comparison
Dimensions7.7” x 7.7” x 1.4” (197 mm x 197 mm x 36 mm)
  • Width: 11.97 inches (30.41 cm)
  • Depth: 8.36 inches (21.24 cm)
  • Height: 0.16–0.63 inch (0.41–1.61 cm)
Weight2.6 lb (1.2 kg)Starting at 2.8 pounds (1.29 kg)
Colors
Silver
GoldSpace GraySilver
Keyboard and TrackpadBacklit Magic Keyboard with:
  • 78 (U.S.) or 79 (ISO) keys including 12 function keys and 4 arrow keys in an inverted-T arrangement
  • Ambient light sensor
  • Force Touch trackpad for precise cursor control and pressure-sensing capabilities; enables Force clicks, accelerators, pressure-sensitive drawing, and Multi-Touch gestures
Ports
  • Two Thunderbolt / USB 4 ports with support for:
    • DisplayPort
    • Thunderbolt 3 (up to 40Gb/s)
    • USB 3.1 Gen 2 (up to 10Gb/s)
    • Thunderbolt 2, HDMI, DVI, and VGA supported using adapters (sold separately)
  • 2 x USB Type-A ports
    Supports data transfers up to 5 Gbps.
  • 1 x Gigabit Ethernet port
  • 1 x HDMI 2.0
  • 1 x 3.5 mm headphone jack
Two Thunderbolt / USB 4 (USB‑C) ports with support for:
  • Charging
  • DisplayPort
  • Thunderbolt 3 (up to 40Gb/s)
  • USB 3.1 Gen 2 (up to 10Gb/s)
Internal SpecsApple Mac mini (M1, 2020)MacBook Air (M1, 2020)
Processor
  • Apple M1
    8 cores, 8 threads, 3.20 GHz, 10W
  • Apple M1 (7 GPU Cores)
    8 cores, 8 threads, 3.20 GHz, 10W
  • Apple M1
    8 cores, 8 threads, 3.20 GHz, 10W
Integrated Graphics
  • Apple M1
    Apple M1 iGPU
    8 Graphics Cores, 1280 MHz
  • Apple M1 (7 GPU Cores)
    Apple M1 iGPU
    7 Graphics Cores, 1280 MHz
  • Apple M1
    Apple M1 iGPU
    8 Graphics Cores, 1280 MHz
Memory
  • 8GB
    4266 MHz LPDDR4X onboard memory
  • Configurable to 16GB
  • 8GB
    4266 MHz LPDDR4X onboard memory
  • Configurable to 16GB
Storage
  • 256GB512GB
    SSD
  • Configurable to 1TB or 2TB
  • 256GB512GB
    SSD
  • Configurable to 1TB or 2TB
ConnectivityApple Mac mini (M1, 2020)MacBook Air (M1, 2020)
Wi-Fi
  • 802.11ax Wi‑Fi 6 wireless networking
  • IEEE 802.11a/b/g/n/ac compatible
  • 802.11ax Wi‑Fi 6 wireless networking
  • IEEE 802.11a/b/g/n/ac compatible
BluetoothBluetooth 5.0 wireless technologyBluetooth 5.0 wireless technology
Ethernet
10/100/1000 BASE-T Gigabit Ethernet (RJ-45 connector)
BatteryApple Mac mini (M1, 2020)MacBook Air (M1, 2020)
Size49.9 Wh lithium‑polymer battery
Battery Life
  • Up to 15 hours wireless web
  • Up to 18 hours Apple TV app movie playback
Power Supply150W built-in power supply30W USB‑C Power Adapter
SoftwareApple Mac mini (M1, 2020)MacBook Air (M1, 2020)
OSShipped with macOS CatalinaShipped with macOS Big Sur
Built-in Apps
PhotosiMovieGarageBandPagesNumbersKeynoteSiriSafariMailFaceTimeMessagesMapsNewsStocksHomeVoice MemosNotesCalendarContactsRemindersPhoto BoothPreviewMusicPodcastsTVBooksApp StoreTime MachineFind MyQuickTime Player
PhotosiMovieGarageBandPagesNumbersKeynoteSiriSafariMailFaceTimeMessagesMapsNewsStocksHomeVoice MemosNotesCalendarContactsRemindersPhoto BoothPreviewMusicPodcastsTVBooksApp StoreTime MachineFind MyQuickTime Player
Camera & AudioApple Mac mini (M1, 2020)MacBook Air (M1, 2020)
Camera720p FaceTime HD camera
Audio
  • Built-in speaker
  • 3.5mm headphone jack
  • HDMI 2.0 port supports multichannel audio output
  • Stereo speakers
  • Wide stereo sound
  • Support for Dolby Atmos playback
  • Three-mic array with directional beamforming
  • 3.5 mm headphone jack
MiscApple Mac mini (M1, 2020)MacBook Air (M1, 2020)
Sensors
  • Touch ID sensor
  • Ambient light sensor
Security
  • Touch ID sensor
  • Apple T2 Security Chip
In the box
  • Mac mini
  • Power cord
  • MacBook Air
  • 30W USB‑C Power Adapter
  • USB-C Charge Cable (2 m)
WarrantyYour Mac mini comes with 90 days of complimentary technical support and a one-year limited warranty. Purchase AppleCare+ for Mac to extend your coverage to three years from your AppleCare+ purchase date and add up to two incidents of accidental damage coverage, each subject to a service fee of $99 for external enclosure damage, or $299 for other repairable damage, plus applicable tax.Your MacBook Air comes with 90 days of complimentary technical support and a one-year limited warranty. Purchase AppleCare+ to extend your coverage to three years from your AppleCare+ purchase date and add up to two incidents of accidental damage coverage, each subject to a service fee of $99 for screen damage or external enclosure damage, or $299 for other repairable damage, plus applicable tax.
MoreVideo Support
  • Simultaneously supports up to two displays:
    • One display with up to 6K resolution at 60Hz connected via Thunderbolt and one display with up to 4K resolution at 60Hz connected via HDMI 2.0
  • Thunderbolt 3 digital video output supports
    • Native DisplayPort output over USB‑C
    • Thunderbolt 2, DVI, and VGA output supported using adapters (sold separately)
  • HDMI 2.0 display video output
    • Support for one display with up to 4K resolution at 60Hz
    • DVI output using HDMI to DVI Adapter (sold separately)
Video Support
  • Simultaneously supports full native resolution on the built-in display at millions of colors and:
    • One external display with up to 6K resolution at 60Hz
  • Thunderbolt 3 digital video output
    • Native DisplayPort output over USB‑C
    • VGA, HDMI, DVI, and Thunderbolt 2 output supported using adapters (sold separately)

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Apple Mac mini (M1, 2020)