M2 Mac mini vs. 2021 ASUS TUF Gaming F15: Which is better?

Here is a side by side comparison between M2 Mac mini and 2021 ASUS TUF Gaming F15 specs including CPU, RAM, storage, battery, display, and more.

M2 Mac mini Pros

Reasons that M2 Mac mini is better than 2021 ASUS TUF Gaming F15.

Newer manufacturing

2023 vs. 2021

Much faster CPU performance

Apple M2 Pro (12C, 19G) inside M2 Mac mini has a 83% better multi-core CPU performance score than the Intel Core i9-11900H inside 2021 ASUS TUF Gaming F15.

Geekbench 5 multi-core score
M2 Mac mini - Apple M2 Pro (10C, 16G)
14,899
M2 Mac mini - Apple M2 Pro (12C, 19G)
14,899
M2 Mac mini - Apple M2 (8C, 10G)
8,819
2021 ASUS TUF Gaming F15 - Intel Core i9-11900H
8,121
2021 ASUS TUF Gaming F15 - Intel Core i7-11800H
7,908
2021 ASUS TUF Gaming F15 - Intel Core i7-11600H
6,451
2021 ASUS TUF Gaming F15 - Intel Core i5-11400H
5,592
2021 ASUS TUF Gaming F15 - Intel Core i5-11260H
5,320
About 49% lighter

M2 Mac mini weighed 2.6 pounds, 49% lighter than the 5.07 pounds 2021 ASUS TUF Gaming F15.

WeightM2 Mac mini2021 ASUS TUF Gaming F15
Pound
2.6 lbs.
5.07 lbs.
Kilogram
1.18 kg
2.30 kg

2021 ASUS TUF Gaming F15 Pros

Reasons that 2021 ASUS TUF Gaming F15 is better than M2 Mac mini.

Upgradable memory

The 2021 ASUS TUF Gaming F15 comes with two SODIMM slots that allow you to replace or upgrade when needed. On the flip side, you can't upgrade RAM on the M2 Mac mini since it has onboard memory.

MemoryM2 Mac mini2021 ASUS TUF Gaming F15
Slots
Onboard
x2
TypeLPDDR5DDR4
Supports discrete graphics

Configurable up to Nvidia GeForce RTX 3060 6GB GDDR6 vs. integrated

Upgradable storage

The 2021 ASUS TUF Gaming F15 comes with two M.2 slots that you can easily upgrade and install an additional SSD to expand the storage on the device.

SlotsM2 Mac mini2021 ASUS TUF Gaming F15
M.2
Onboard
Yes x2

Key Similars

Similar characteristics share between M2 Mac mini and 2021 ASUS TUF Gaming F15.

Supports the same maximum memory size of up to 32GB

Both laptops supports up to 32GB of system memory.

Max system memory size
M2 Mac mini
32 GB
2021 ASUS TUF Gaming F15
32 GB

Prices

Here are the latest price updates and offers for both devices.

M2 Mac mini Price
Apple 2023 Mac Mini Desktop Computer M2 chip with 8‑core CPU and 10‑core GPU, 8GB Unified Memory, 256GB SSD Storage, Gigabit Ethernet. Works with iPhone/iPad
Apple 2023 Mac Mini Desktop Computer M2 chip with 8‑core CPU and 10‑core GPU, 8GB Unified Memory, 256GB SSD Storage, Gigabit Ethernet. Works with iPhone/iPad
By Apple
$499.00
$599.00 17% OFF
2023 Apple Mac with Apple M2 Chip with 8-core CPU (8GB RAM, 256GB SSD Storage) (QWERTY English) Silver (Renewed)
2023 Apple Mac with Apple M2 Chip with 8-core CPU (8GB RAM, 256GB SSD Storage) (QWERTY English) Silver (Renewed)
By Apple
$499.97
Apple Mac Mini Desktop Computer, M2 Chip with 8-Core CPU and 10-Core GPU, 16GB Memory, 512GB SSD, Early 2023
Apple Mac Mini Desktop Computer, M2 Chip with 8-Core CPU and 10-Core GPU, 16GB Memory, 512GB SSD, Early 2023
By Apple
$999.00
2021 ASUS TUF Gaming F15 Price
ASUS TUF Dash 15 (2021) Ultra Slim Gaming Laptop, 15.6" 144Hz FHD, GeForce RTX 3050 Ti, Intel Core i7-11370H, 8GB DDR4, 512GB PCIe NVMe SSD, Wi-Fi 6, Windows 10, Eclipse Grey Color, TUF516PE-AB73
ASUS TUF Dash 15 (2021) Ultra Slim Gaming Laptop, 15.6" 144Hz FHD, GeForce RTX 3050 Ti, Intel Core i7-11370H, 8GB DDR4, 512GB PCIe NVMe SSD, Wi-Fi 6, Windows 10, Eclipse Grey Color, TUF516PE-AB73
By ASUS
$929.00
ASUS TUF F15 Gaming Laptop, 15.6" 144Hz FHD IPS-Type Display, Intel Core i5-10300H Processor, GeForce GTX 1650, 8GB DDR4 RAM, 512GB PCIe SSD, Wi-Fi 6, Windows 11 Home, FX506LH-AS51
ASUS TUF F15 Gaming Laptop, 15.6" 144Hz FHD IPS-Type Display, Intel Core i5-10300H Processor, GeForce GTX 1650, 8GB DDR4 RAM, 512GB PCIe SSD, Wi-Fi 6, Windows 11 Home, FX506LH-AS51
By ASUS
$799.99
ASUS 2021 TUF F15 Gaming Laptop, 15.6" 144Hz FHD Display, Intel Core i7-10870H up to 5.00 GHz, GeForce GTX 1660 Ti, 32GB RAM, 1TB SSD + 1TB HDD, RGB Backlit KB, RJ-45 Ethernet, Win 10 + Oydisen Cloth
ASUS 2021 TUF F15 Gaming Laptop, 15.6" 144Hz FHD Display, Intel Core i7-10870H up to 5.00 GHz, GeForce GTX 1660 Ti, 32GB RAM, 1TB SSD + 1TB HDD, RGB Backlit KB, RJ-45 Ethernet, Win 10 + Oydisen Cloth
By ASUS
$959.00

Availability

M2 Mac mini2021 ASUS TUF Gaming F15
Released20232021
Release Date
  • Announced on January 17, 2023.
  • Available on January 24, 2023.
Announced on May 11, 2021
Pricing
  • $599
    M2, 8C CPU, 10C GPU, 8GB, 256GB
  • $799
    M2, 8C CPU, 10C GPU, 8GB, 512GB
  • $1,299
    M2 Pro, 10C CPU, 16C GPU, 16GB, 512GB
  • $1,599
    M2 Pro, 12C CPU, 19C GPU, 16GB, 512GB
  • $1,999
    M2 Pro, 12C CPU, 19C GPU, 32GB, 512GB
  • $2,199
    M2 Pro, 12C CPU, 19C GPU, 32GB, 1TB
  • $2,599
    M2 Pro, 12C CPU, 19C GPU, 32GB, 2TB
  • $3,199
    M2 Pro, 12C CPU, 19C GPU, 32GB, 2TB
  • $4,399
    M2 Pro, 12C CPU, 19C GPU, 32GB, 8TB
  • $4,499
    M2 Pro, 12C CPU, 19C GPU, 32GB, 8TB, 10GbE
-
Generations

Exterior

M2 Mac mini2021 ASUS TUF Gaming F15
Dimensions7.75” x 7.75” x 1.41” (197 mm x 197 mm x 35.8 mm)14.13” x 10.08” x 0.90 ~ 0.96” (359 x 256 x 22.8 ~ 24.3 mm)
Weight
  • 2.6 lbs. (1.18 kg)
    M2
  • 2.8 lbs. (1.28 kg)
    M2 Pro
5.07 lbs. (2.30 kg)
Colors
Silver
Bonfire Black Fortress Gray
Keyboard and Trackpad-
  • Chiclet keyboard with isolated Numpad key
  • RGB backlight with ASUS AURA RGB with four modes:
    • Static
    • Breathing
    • Color Cycle
    • Strobing
  • Overstrike technology can withstand over 20 million pressed.

Display

M2 Mac mini2021 ASUS TUF Gaming F15
Size-15.6 Inches
Info-
  • 15.6” FHD 60Hz
    1920 x 1080 16:9 60Hz anti-glare 62.5% sRGB:62.5% 47.34% Adobe RGB IPS-level
  • 15.6” FHD 144Hz
    1920 x 1080 16:9 144Hz anti-glare 62.5% sRGB:62.5% 47.34% Adobe RGB IPS-level
  • 15.6” FHD 240Hz
    1920 x 1080 16:9 144Hz anti-glare 100% sRGB:62.5% 75.35% Adobe RGB IPS-level

Ports

M2 Mac mini2021 ASUS TUF Gaming F15
M2 Mac mini Ports
Image Source: Apple
Back (10)
  • 1 x power port
  • 1 x RJ-45
    1 Gbps, Configurable to 10 Gbps
  • 2 x Thunderbolt 4
    40 Gpbs, USB 4.0 (40 Gbps), DisplayPort 1.4, Power Delivery
  • 2 x Thunderbolt 4
    40 Gpbs, USB 4.0 (40 Gbps), DisplayPort 1.4, Power Delivery, M2 Pro only, Optional
  • 1 x HDMI
    v2.0 on M2, v2.1 on M2 Pro
  • 2 x USB-A
    USB 3.1 Gen 1 (5 Gbps)
  • 1 x headphone jack
    Headphone/Microphone
2021 ASUS TUF Gaming F15 Ports
Image Source: ASUS
Left
  • 1 x USB-C
    - Thunderbolt™️ 4 (40 Gbps), DisplayPort 1.4a, and G-Sync supports.
    -USB 3.2 Gen 2 (10 Gbps) and DisplayPort 1.4a supports on FX506HCB/HEB.
  • 2 x USB-A 
    with USB 3.2 Gen 1 (5 Gbps)
  • 1 x HDMI 2.0b
  • 1 x RJ45 
    Gigabit Ethernet port
  • 1 x 3.5mm Audio jack
  • 1 x DC-in
    ø6.0 barrel style connector
Right
  • 1 x USB-A
    with USB 3.2 Gen 1 (5 Gbps)
  • 1 x Kensington lock slot

Internal Specs

M2 Mac mini2021 ASUS TUF Gaming F15
Processor
  1. Apple M2 (8C, 10G)
    8 cores, 8 threads, 2.42 → 3.48 GHz,
  2. Apple M2 Pro (10C, 16G)
    10 cores, 10 threads, 2.42 → 3.50 GHz,
  3. Apple M2 Pro (12C, 19G)
    12 cores, 12 threads, 2.42 → 3.50 GHz,
  1. 11th Gen Intel® Core™ i5-11260H
    6 cores, 12 threads, 2.60 → 4.40 GHz, 12MB SmartCache, 45W
  2. 11th Gen Intel® Core™ i5-11400H
    6 cores, 12 threads, 2.70 → 4.50 GHz, 12MB SmartCache, 45W
  3. 11th Gen Intel® Core™ i7-11600H
    6 cores, 12 threads, 2.90 → 4.60 GHz, 18MB SmartCache, 45W
  4. 11th Gen Intel® Core™ i7-11800H
    8 cores, 16 threads, 2.30 → 4.60 GHz, 24MB SmartCache, 45W
  5. 11th Gen Intel® Core™ i9-11900H
    8 cores, 16 threads, 2.50 → 4.90 GHz, 24MB SmartCache, 45W
Integrated Graphics
  1. Apple M2 (8C, 10G)
    Apple M2 iGPU
    10 GPU Cores, 16 Neural Engine Cores,
  2. Apple M2 Pro (10C, 16G)
    Apple M2 Pro iGPU
    16 GPU Cores, 16 Neural Engine Cores,
  3. Apple M2 Pro (12C, 19G)
    Apple M2 Pro iGPU
    19 GPU Cores, 16 Neural Engine Cores,
  1. 11th Gen Intel® Core™ i5-11260H
    Intel® UHD Graphics
    16 Execution Units, 350 → 1400 MHz
  2. 11th Gen Intel® Core™ i5-11400H
    Intel® UHD Graphics
    16 Execution Units, 350 → 1450 MHz
  3. 11th Gen Intel® Core™ i7-11600H
    Intel® UHD Graphics
    32 Execution Units, 350 → 1450 MHz
  4. 11th Gen Intel® Core™ i7-11800H
    Intel® UHD Graphics
    32 Execution Units, 350 → 1450 MHz
  5. 11th Gen Intel® Core™ i9-11900H
    Intel® UHD Graphics
    32 Execution Units, 350 → 1450 MHz
Memory
  • 8GB 16GB
    unified memory.
  • Configurable to 32GB
8GB 16GB 32GB
2933 MHz or 3200 MHz Dual-channel DDR4 SDRAM
  • Memory Slots: 2 x SO-DIMM slots
  • Memory Type: Single or Dual Channel DDR4 Memory
  • Memory Speed:
    2933 MHz 3200 MHz
Discrete Graphics-
  • NVIDIA® GeForce RTX™ 3050 - 4GB GDDR6
    With ROG Boost up to 1600 MHz at 60W (75W with Dynamic Boost)
  • NVIDIA® GeForce RTX™ 3050 Ti - 4GB GDDR6
    With ROG Boost up to 1585 MHz at 60W (75W with Dynamic Boost)
  • NVIDIA® GeForce RTX™ 3060 - 6GB GDDR6
    With ROG Boost up to 1630 MHz at 90W (85W with Dynamic Boost)
Storage
  • 256GB 512GB
    SSD
  • Configurable to 8TB
512GB 1TB
M.2 NVMe™ PCIe® 3.0 Performance SSD
  • Storage Slots: 2 x M.2 2280 slots
    Support PCIe 3.0 x 4

Connectivity

M2 Mac mini2021 ASUS TUF Gaming F15
Wi-Fi
  • 802.11ax Wi‑Fi 6E wireless networking
  • IEEE 802.11a/b/g/n/ac compatible
Intel® Wi-Fi 6 with Gig+ performance (802.11ax)
BluetoothBluetooth 5.3 wireless technologyBluetooth 5.2
Ethernet
10/100/1000 BASE-T Gigabit Ethernet (RJ-45 connector)
Configuration up to 10 Gbs
Gigabit LAN
Speed: 10/100/1000 Mbps.

Battery

M2 Mac mini2021 ASUS TUF Gaming F15
Size-
  • 48 Wh
    3-cell Li-ion battery
  • 90 Wh
    4-cell Li-ion battery
Battery Life-
  • Up to 14.7 hours of video playback
    Tested on 90Wh battery models.
  • Up to 9.4 hours of web browsing
    Tested on 90Wh battery models.
Power Supply
  • 150W built-in power supply
    M2
  • 185W built-in power supply
    M2 Pro
  • 180W power adaptor
    Plug type :ø6.0 (mm) 20V/9A.
  • 200W power adaptor
    Plug type :ø6.0 (mm) 20V/10A.

Software

M2 Mac mini2021 ASUS TUF Gaming F15
OSShipped with macOS Ventura
Windows 10 Home Windows 10 Pro
Upgradable to Windows 11
Built-in Apps
Photos iMovie GarageBand Pages Numbers Keynote Siri Safari Mail FaceTime Messages Maps News Stocks Home Voice Memos Notes Calendar Contacts Reminders Photo Booth Preview Music Podcasts TV Books App Store Time Machine Find My QuickTime Player
Armoury Crate

Camera & Audio

M2 Mac mini2021 ASUS TUF Gaming F15
Camera-Front-facing camera
Top-mount front camera, 0.92 Megapixels (1280 x 720 HD).
Audio
  • Built-in speaker
  • 3.5mm headphone jack
  • HDMI port supports multichannel audio output
  • 2 x Speakers
    With four cut-outs
  • DTS:X™ Ultra technology
    Delivers high-fidelity 7.1-channel virtual surround sound for theater-quality audio with stereo headsets.
  • Two-way AI Noise cancelation technology

Misc

M2 Mac mini2021 ASUS TUF Gaming F15
Security-
  • Kensington lock
  • BIOS Administrator Password and User Password Protection
  • FTPM (Firmware-based Trusted Platform Module)
In the box
  • Mac mini
  • Power cord
  • 2021 ASUS TUF Gaming F15
  • TUF Gaming backpack
  • P304 TUF GAMING M5 V2 Mouse
  • Marketing Giveaway (TUF Sticker)
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.-
MoreM2 Mac mini: video supports
  • Simultaneously supports up to two displays:
    • One display with up to 6K resolution at 60Hz over Thunderbolt and one display with up to 5K resolution at 60Hz over Thunderbolt or 4K resolution at 60Hz over HDMI
  • Thunderbolt 3 digital video output supports
    • Support for native DisplayPort output over USB‑C
  • HDMI 2.0 display video output
    • Support for one display with up to 4K resolution at 60Hz
M2 Pro Mac mini: video supports
  • Simultaneously supports up to three displays:
    • Up to three displays: Two displays with up to 6K resolution at 60Hz over Thunderbolt and one display with up to 4K resolution at 60Hz over HDMI
    • Up to two displays: One display with up to 6K resolution at 60Hz over Thunderbolt and one display with up to 4K resolution at 144Hz over HDMI
    • One display with up to 8K resolution at 60Hz or 4K resolution at 240Hz over HDMI
  • Thunderbolt 4 digital video output
    • Support for native DisplayPort output over USB‑C
  • HDMI display video output
    • Support for one display with up to 8K resolution at 60Hz or 4K resolution at 240Hz
-

Key Features

M2 Mac mini2021 ASUS TUF Gaming F15
At Glance
Released in Early
2023
Weight
2.6 lb
1.18 kg
Up to
Apple M2 Pro (12C, 19G)
12C/12T, 2.42 → 3.50 GHz
Geekbench 5
1,943
Single Core
Geekbench 5
14,899
Multi-Core
With integrated
Apple M2 Pro iGPU
19 GPU Cores, 16 Neural Engine Cores
Configurable up to
32GB
LPDDR5 Memory
M2 Mac mini Ports
Released in Mid
2021
16:9
15.6”
1080p 240Hz
Weight
5.07 lb
2.30 kg
Up to
Intel Core i9-11900H
8C/16T, 2.50 → 4.90 GHz
Geekbench 5
1,430
Single Core
Geekbench 5
8,121
Multi-Core
With integrated
Intel® UHD Graphics
32 Execution Units, 350 → 1450 MHz
Upgradable up to
32GB
3200 MHz DDR4
2021 ASUS TUF Gaming F15 Ports
Nvidia GeForce
RTX 3060
6GB GDDR6

Comparison Summary

M2 Mac mini vs. 2021 ASUS TUF Gaming F15

Apple has released the M2 Mac mini in early-2023. It is powered by up to 12-core Apple M2 Pro (12C, 19G) with a boost clock speed up to 3.50 GHz. The laptop has an integrated graphics option up to Apple M2 Pro iGPU (19 GPU Cores, 16 Neural Engine Cores).

On the other hand, we have the 15.6-inch TUF Gaming F15 was introduced by ASUS about two years earlier in mid-2021. It comes with up to an octa-core Intel Core i9-11900H with a boost clock speed up to 4.90 GHz. It has a dedicated GPU option up to Nvidia GeForce RTX 3060 with 6GB GDDR6.

Geekbench 5 Single Core

M2 Mac mini1
Apple M2 (8C, 10G)1,93399.49%
2
Apple M2 Pro (10C, 16G)1,943100.00%
3
Apple M2 Pro (12C, 19G)1,943100.00%
2021 ASUS TUF Gaming F151
11th Gen Intel® Core™ i5-11260H1,24564.08%
2
11th Gen Intel® Core™ i5-11400H1,32067.94%
3
11th Gen Intel® Core™ i7-11600H1,43673.91%
4
11th Gen Intel® Core™ i7-11800H1,46675.45%
5
11th Gen Intel® Core™ i9-11900H1,43073.60%
01,943

Geekbench 5 Multi Core

M2 Mac mini1
Apple M2 (8C, 10G)8,81959.19%
2
Apple M2 Pro (10C, 16G)14,899100.00%
3
Apple M2 Pro (12C, 19G)14,899100.00%
2021 ASUS TUF Gaming F151
11th Gen Intel® Core™ i5-11260H5,32035.71%
2
11th Gen Intel® Core™ i5-11400H5,59237.53%
3
11th Gen Intel® Core™ i7-11600H6,45143.30%
4
11th Gen Intel® Core™ i7-11800H7,90853.08%
5
11th Gen Intel® Core™ i9-11900H8,12154.51%
014,899

The M2 Mac mini weighs 2.6 lbs. about 95% lighter than the 5.07 lbs. 2021 ASUS TUF Gaming F15. Moreover, measured at 7.75” x 7.75” x 1.41”, the M2 Mac mini is much more portable than the 2021 ASUS TUF Gaming F15 at 14.13” x 10.08” x 0.96”.

M2 Mac mini2021 ASUS TUF Gaming F15

Moving over to upgradability, Apple claims that the M2 Mac mini supports up to 32GB LPDDR5 memory. However, it has an onboard memory module that is not upgradable by the users. It also has soldered storage, and there are no M.2 slots for expansion.

For 2021 ASUS TUF Gaming F15, it supports up to 32GB 3200 MHz DDR4 memory that you can upgrade with two memory module slots on the motherboard. It also has two M.2 slots that users can easily swap or add an extra SSD to get extra space when needed.

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