Skip to content

Versus Engine

Mac Mini M4 Pro (64GB) vs Mac Studio M2 Ultra

Specs, price and the one trade-off that actually decides it — Mac Mini M4 Pro (64GB) against Mac Studio M2 Ultra, side by side.

Cheaper to start

Mac Mini M4 Pro (64GB)

Starts about $2,000 lower.

Rated higher

Mac Studio M2 Ultra

9.8 vs 9.5 on our design scale.

Standout

Mac Mini M4 Pro (64GB)

64GB unified memory accessible by GPU

Mac Mini M4 Pro (64GB)

Mac Mini M4 Pro (64GB)

Compact unified-memory system built on the Apple M4 Pro with 64 GB shared between CPU and GPU. Runs Gemma 3 27B and Qwen3 30B-A3B at roughly 35-50 tokens/s while operating near-silently — the mid tier of this index for local AI work.

Where it wins, where it doesn't

Pros

  • 64GB unified memory accessible by GPU
  • Near-silent operation at 100% load
  • Class-leading performance-per-watt

Cons

  • Zero post-purchase upgradeability
  • Lacks native CUDA ecosystem support

Specifications

  • chipApple M4 Pro
  • tiermid
  • example_modelsGemma 3 27B, Qwen3 30B-A3B
  • tokens_per_second35-50
  • unified_memory_gb64
  • gpu
  • memory
  • storage
  • processor
Mac Studio M2 Ultra

Mac Studio M2 Ultra

The ultimate local AI workstation for running massive 70B+ parameters models effortlessly thanks to 192GB of unified memory.

Where it wins, where it doesn't

Pros

  • 192GB Unified Memory
  • Dead silent operation
  • Incredible power efficiency

Cons

  • Zero upgradeability
  • Very expensive at high configs

Specifications

  • chip
  • tierenthusiast
  • example_models
  • tokens_per_second
  • unified_memory_gb
  • gpu76-core GPU
  • memoryUp to 192GB Unified
  • storageUp to 8TB SSD
  • processorApple M2 Ultra