And this is not exactly the same story as all the other ARM machines we've looked at before, like Windows 10 on ARM-a respectable option with some serious tradeoffs.

In a way, we're not just reviewing the new Mac mini-a Mac mini is always a Mac mini, right? We're reviewing an ARM-based Mac for the first time. Apple is beginning the process of replacing industry-standard Intel chips with its own, custom-designed silicon. Apple is crazy, right? The Mac just had its best year of sales ever, and Cupertino is hitting the platform with a shock like it hasn’t had in nearly 15 years-back in a time when the Mac was not having such a good year.