Daily Drivers

The refreshed lines from Samsung and Apple offer a lot to those looking for a device for daily computing. Take your pick

- NIDHI SINGAL

MAC MINI WITH M2 ₹59,900 onwards

The Mac mini does not compromise on efficiency, power or space

REVIEW

MINI-MUM FUSS

The compact square Mac mini handles basic tasks and more with aplomb 

LAPTOPS are convenient to tote around, but a huge audience swears by desktops. While Apple offers a wide range of all-in-one desktops— iMacs, with a starting price of ₹1,24,990—it’s the Mac mini that brings the power of the Mac operating system and Apple’s processor-making chops at a relatively lower cost, and in a compact plug-and-play format. In the box you find the square-shaped Mac Mini and just the power cable. You’ll need to connect this to your choice of keyboard, mouse and display—you can even connect this to your TV! Do note that if you’re setting it up for the first time with non-Apple accessories, you need to use a wired keyboard and mouse. Besides the keyboard, display and mouse, you might want to invest in quality speakers (the built-in speaker is average at best) and a webcam (if you’re into video calling). And you’re set.

This Mac Mini has a small footprint and can be tucked away easily. You can even carry it around if you want. All its ports are at the rear: the power button and port, two Thunderbolt 4 USB-C ports, two USB-A ports, an HDMI port, a 10-gigabit ethernet port and a 3.5-mm headphone jack along with vents for cooling. A caveat: having all the ports at the rear can be cumbersome if you switch between external hard drives often.