Apple Mac mini (M1, 2020) vs. MacBook Pro 16” (2021) - Specs Comparison

Here is a comparison between the specifications of the Apple Mac mini (M1, 2020) and MacBook Pro 16” (2021), including differences in the chip, memory, storage, display, battery, ports, and more.

Apple Mac mini (M1, 2020) vs. MacBook Pro 16” (2021)

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 Pro 16” (2021) features the Apple M-Series ARM 64-bit 10-core Apple M1 Pro (10C, 16G) up to 10-core Apple M1 Max (10C, 32G) with a clock speed of 0.00 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 16.2″ MacBook Pro 16” (2021) , we have a detailed tech specs comparison between both devices for you to check out here.

Apple Mac mini (M1, 2020) vs. MacBook Pro 16” (2021): Specs Comparison

Apple Mac mini (M1, 2020) image

Apple Mac mini (M1, 2020)

MacBook Pro 16” (2021) image

MacBook Pro 16” (2021)

Key Features
What's new
  • All-New MacBook Pro Design - the new design focus on functionality and performance. It has a larger chassis that provides more room for an advanced thermal system that can move 50 percent more air than the previous generation.
  • New M1 Pro and M1 Max Chip - The new 16” MacBook Pro features the new M1 Pro, and M1 Max applies a system-on-a-chip (SoC) architecture. Both processors feature fast unified memory and increased memory bandwidth up to 400GB/s, 8-core CPU, 32-core GPU, 16-core Neural Engine, and with best-in-class performance per watt and industry-leading power efficiency.
  • New Liquid Retina XDR with ProMotion Display - featuring mini-LED technology used in iPad Pro, the Liquid Retina XDR display delivers up to 1,000 nits of sustained, full-screen brightness, an incredible 1,600 nits of peak brightness, and a 1,000,000:1 contrast ratio.
  • Better Battery Life - It delivers up to 21 hours of video playback, which is seven additional hours compared to the previous-generation MacBook Pro.
AvailabilityApple Mac mini (M1, 2020)MacBook Pro 16” (2021)
Released20202021
Release InfoAnnounced on November 10th, 2020
  • Announced on October 18, 2021.
  • Available on October 26, 2021.
Pricing
  • $699
    Apple M1 Chip | 8GB RAM | 256GB SSD
  • $899
    Apple M1 Chip | 8GB RAM | 512GB SSD
  • $2,499
    M1 Pro 10-Core CPU 16-Core GPU 16GB 512GB
  • $2,699
    M1 Pro 10-Core CPU 16-Core GPU 16GB 1TB
  • $3,499
    M1 Max 10-Core CPU 32-Core GPU 32GB 1TB
  • $3,899
    M1 Max 10-Core CPU 32-Core GPU 64GB 1TB
  • $4,299
    M1 Max 10-Core CPU 32-Core GPU 64GB 2TB
  • $4,899
    M1 Max 10-Core CPU 32-Core GPU 64GB 4TB
  • $6,099
    M1 Max 10-Core CPU 32-Core GPU 64GB 8TB
DisplayApple Mac mini (M1, 2020)MacBook Pro 16” (2021)
Size16.2 Inches
Info
  • Liquid Retina XDR display
    • 16.2-inch (diagonal) Liquid Retina XDR display;10 3456-by-2234 native resolution at 254 pixels per inch
  • XDR (Extreme Dynamic Range)
    • Up to 1000 nits sustained (full-screen) brightness, 1600 nits peak brightness
    • 1,000,000:1 contrast ratio
    • Color
      1 billion colors Wide color (P3) True Tone technology
  • Refresh rates
    • ProMotion technology for adaptive refresh rates up to 120Hz
    • Fixed refresh rates: 47.95Hz, 48.00Hz, 50.00Hz, 59.94Hz, 60.00Hz
 
ExteriorApple Mac mini (M1, 2020)MacBook Pro 16” (2021)
Size Comparison
Dimensions7.7” x 7.7” x 1.4” (197 mm x 197 mm x 36 mm)
  • Height: 0.66 inch (1.68 cm)
  • Width: 14.01 inches (35.57 cm)
  • Depth: 9.77 inches (24.81 cm)
Weight2.6 lb (1.2 kg)
  • 4.7 pounds (2.1 kg)
    M1 Pro models.
  • 4.8 pounds (2.2 kg)
    M1 Max models.
Colors
Silver
Space GraySilver
Keyboard and TrackpadBacklit Magic Keyboard with:
  • 78 (U.S.) or 79 (ISO) keys including 12 full-height function keys and 4 arrow keys in an inverted-T arrangement
  • Touch ID
  • 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
Left
  • 2 x Thunderbolt™️ 4
    Supports USB 4 (up to 40Gb/s), DisplayPort, and charging.
  • 1 x MagSafe 3
  • 1 x Headphone jack
Right
  • 1 x Thunderbolt™️ 4
    Supports USB 4 (up to 40Gb/s), DisplayPort, and charging.
  • 1 x SDXC card slot
  • 1 x HDMI port
Internal SpecsApple Mac mini (M1, 2020)MacBook Pro 16” (2021)
Processor
  • Apple M1
    8 cores, 8 threads, 3.20 GHz, 10W
  • Apple M1 Pro (10C, 16G)
    10 cores, 10 threads, 0.00 GHz,
  • Apple M1 Max (10C, 32G)
    10 cores, 10 threads, 0.00 GHz,
Integrated Graphics
  • Apple M1
    Apple M1 iGPU
    8 Graphics Cores, 1280 MHz
  • Apple M1 Pro (10C, 16G)
    Apple M1 Pro iGPU
    16 GPU Cores, 16 Neural Engine Cores,
  • Apple M1 Max (10C, 32G)
    Apple M1 Max iGPU
    32 GPU Cores, 16 Neural Engine Cores,
Memory
  • 8GB
    4266 MHz LPDDR4X onboard memory
  • Configurable to 16GB
16GB 32GB 64GB
Unified Memory
Storage
  • 256GB512GB
    SSD
  • Configurable to 1TB or 2TB
512GB1TB2TB4TB8TB
SSD
ConnectivityApple Mac mini (M1, 2020)MacBook Pro 16” (2021)
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 Pro 16” (2021)
Size100 Wh lithium‑polymer battery
Battery Life
  • Up to 14 hours wireless web
  • Up to 21 hours of Apple TV app movie playback
Power Supply150W built-in power supply140W USB‑C Power Adapter 
Charging up to 50 percent in just 30 minutes with included USB-C to MagSafe 3 Cable.
SoftwareApple Mac mini (M1, 2020)MacBook Pro 16” (2021)
OSShipped with macOS CatalinaShipped with macOS Monterey
Built-in Apps
PhotosiMovieGarageBandPagesNumbersKeynoteSiriSafariMailFaceTimeMessagesMapsNewsStocksHomeVoice MemosNotesCalendarContactsRemindersPhoto BoothPreviewMusicPodcastsTVBooksApp StoreTime MachineFind MyQuickTime Player
PhotosiMovieGarageBandPagesNumbersKeynoteSiriSafariMailFaceTimeMessagesMapsNewsStocksHomeVoice MemosNotesCalendarContactsRemindersPhoto BoothPreviewMusicPodcastsTVBooksApp StoreTime MachineFind MyQuickTime Player
Camera & AudioApple Mac mini (M1, 2020)MacBook Pro 16” (2021)
Camera1080p FaceTime HD camera 
Advanced image signal processor with computational video.
Audio
  • Built-in speaker
  • 3.5mm headphone jack
  • HDMI 2.0 port supports multichannel audio output
  • High-fidelity six-speaker sound system with force-canceling woofers
  • Wide stereo sound
  • Support for spatial audio when playing music or video with Dolby Atmos on built-in speakers
  • Spatial audio with dynamic head tracking when using AirPods (3rd generation), AirPods Pro, and AirPods Max
  • Studio-quality three-mic array with high signal-to-noise ratio and directional beamforming
  • 3.5 mm headphone jack with advanced support for high-impedance headphones
MiscApple Mac mini (M1, 2020)MacBook Pro 16” (2021)
SensorsTouch ID sensor
Security
  • Touch ID sensor
  • Apple T2 Security Chip
In the box
  • Mac mini
  • Power cord
  • 16‑inch MacBook Pro
  • 140W USB‑C Power Adapter
  • USB-C to MagSafe 3 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 Pro 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 every 12 months, 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)
  • Simultaneously supports full native resolution on the built-in display at 1 billion colors and:
    • Up to two external displays with up to 6K resolution at 60Hz at over a billion colors (M1 Pro) or
    • Up to three external displays with up to 6K resolution and one external display with up to 4K resolution at 60Hz at over a billion colors (M1 Max)
  • Thunderbolt 4 digital video output
    • Native DisplayPort output over USB‑C
    • VGA, HDMI, DVI, and Thunderbolt 2 output supported using adapters (sold separately)
  • HDMI digital video output
    • Support for one display with up to 4K resolution at 60Hz
    • DVI output using HDMI to DVI Adapter (sold separately)

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