Apple Mac mini (2018)

usability, size, price, reliability

94% of the reviews on Amazon.com give this product a positive rating.

Inexpensive ; Plenty of apps and services ; Amazon Alexa control with voice remote

Remote doesn't have TV controls ; Interface is sometimes sluggish

The $30 Fire TV Stick Lite is the most affordable way to add streaming media and Amazon's Alexa voice assistant to your 1080p TV.

Huge boost to speed and power ; Sleek space grey finish ; Excellent port selection

More expensive base model ; Lacking GPU performance ; Tough sell for your average Mac user

That doesn’t mean you shouldn’t buy this machine, especially if you really do want a clean and uncluttered home workstation with a full mouse and keyboard setup. This device is powerful, compact, and everything a power user would want the Mac mini to...

Affordable ; Faster processor than previous model ; Includes remote with microphone, TV controls, and dedicated service buttons

1080p only ; Home screen can occasionally stutter

Amazon's $40 third-generation Fire TV Stick is nearly identical to its predecessor, just a bit faster and equipped with a new Alexa voice remote, which is enough to preserve its status as the best media streamer for 1080p TVs.

Transformative performance from the M1 chip ; Whisper quiet

You’ll need to buy a monitor ; Lack of ports ; No DIY upgrade options

It’s all change for the Mac Mini, as it receives the impressive M1 chip. With huge performance boosts, it’s an easy recommendation - but isn’t the complete package like an iMac would be.

Thin and light for a 2-in-1 convertible ; Strong construction ; Classic ThinkPad keyboard, touchpad, and pointing stick ; Includes a garaged pen

Brief battery life ; Runs hot, even for basic use ; Memory isn't upgradable ; Standard warranty just one year

Lenovo's premier 13.3-inch convertible for business, the ThinkPad X13 Yoga impresses with slick design but is hamstrung by so-so battery life and high temperatures.

Loads of ports ; Decent CPU performance ; Design still looks great ; Silent

Upgrades quickly get pricey ; GPU performance isn’t all that

As a major pro-ish-oriented rethink of the Mac mini’s place in the world, this upgrade gets the balance right

Apple wrests excellent performance out of even the low-end Core i3 processor in the base configuration. The small system remains unobtrusive. The four USB-C/Thunderbolt ports and 10Gb Ethernet option provide for more storage with fast external data...

You're stuck with integrated graphics unless you fork over the bucks and desk space for an eGPU. Relatively high entry price once you spring for the accessories and a display. It no longer serves as a budget option despite being the most affordable Mac.

The Apple Mac Mini 2018 continues to serve as a satisfying, gets-the-job-done desktop system that delivers surprising value when you want something designed to be seen and not heard.