Originally published at: Smaller Mac mini Powered by M4 and M4 Pro Chips - TidBITS
First, Apple introduced the M4 iMac (see “New 24-inch iMac Upgraded with M4 Chip,” 28 October 2024). The next day, the company pulled back the curtains on the diminutive M4 Mac mini, described in an intro video on the product page as “the lovable little Mac that can do it all.” Apple also noted that it’s the first carbon-neutral Mac.
The silver M4 Mac mini is smaller but taller than its predecessor, looking like a cross between the previous Mac mini and an Apple TV. It measures 5 inches (12.7 cm) square and 2.0 inches (5.0 cm) tall; the previous model was 7.7 inches (19.7 cm) square and 1.4 inches (3.6 cm) tall. It also finally moves some ports to the front for easier access—there will be less fumbling around in the back.
As before, the Mac mini comes in two configurations: one with an M4 chip starting at $599 and the other with an M4 Pro, starting at $1399. You can place pre-orders now with delivery and in-store availability on 8 November 2024.
Let’s look at the key specs and how they’ve changed:
- M4 and M4 Pro chips: The M4 has the same specs as the high-end M4 iMac: a 10-core CPU and a 10-core GPU. However, with the M4 Pro, you can choose between a 12-core CPU/16-core GPU chip and a 14-core CPU/20-core GPU chip for $200 more. Apple claims the M4 is roughly twice as fast as the M1, and the M4 Pro is two to three times as fast as the M2 Pro. While Apple doesn’t directly compare the M4 and M4 Pro, the additional cores should enhance performance for demanding tasks.
- Memory: Like the iMac, the M4 Mac mini starts at 16 GB of memory, up from 8 GB. That’s welcome and likely helpful for Apple Intelligence. You can upgrade to 24 GB for $200 or 32 GB for $400. The M4 Pro Mac mini ships with 24 GB by default and provides upgrades to 48 GB for $400 and 64 GB for $600. We have long recommended 16 GB instead of the default 8 GB, but it remains to be seen if Apple Intelligence features noticeably benefit from even more memory.
- Storage: For the M4 Mac mini, the base level of storage remains 256 GB, with options for 512 GB ($200), 1 TB ($400), and 2 TB ($800). The M4 Pro Mac mini starts at 512 GB and lets you increase that to 1 TB ($200), 2 TB ($600), 4 TB ($1200), or 8 TB ($2400).
- Connectivity: The front face of both models features two USB-C ports with support for 10 Gbps USB 3, along with a 3.5 mm headphone jack. On the back, you’ll find Ethernet (either Gigabit Ethernet or 10 Gigabit Ethernet for $100 more), HDMI, and three Thunderbolt ports. The M4 Mac mini features Thunderbolt 4 ports offering up to 40 Gbps, while the M4 Pro model breaks new ground in the Mac world with Thunderbolt 5, boasting transfer speeds of up to 120 Gbps. Gone are the USB Type-A ports from the previous models.
- Display support: Both models support up to three displays, one more than the M2 Mac mini could drive, although the capabilities vary slightly once you get into 6K screens like Apple’s Pro Display XDR.
However, not all the changes are positive. Most notable is the price of the M4 Pro Mac mini, which starts at $100 more than the M2 Pro model it replaces. It does have 8 GB more memory, but the M4 Mac mini and M4 iMac didn’t increase in price despite a similar increase in memory.
Moving the headphone jack to the front of the Mac mini makes it a lot easier to plug in headphones, but if you use speakers, you’ll have a cable sticking out of the front at all times. There’s no pleasing everyone.
The M4 Pro Mac mini also has only three Thunderbolt 5 ports, compared to four Thunderbolt 4 ports on the M2 Pro model. While the front-mounted USB-C ports are better in nearly every way, some will still mourn the loss of USB Type-A ports from the back of the previous models.
Finally, while most people seldom need to press the power button these days, putting it on the bottom feels weird.
Overall, though, these new M4 and M4 Pro models make the Mac mini even more attractive than before. They’re smaller, faster, and have higher memory ceilings. While everyday users of the M1 or M2 Mac mini may not see any compelling reason to upgrade, pro users who rely on the M2 Pro Mac mini might be tempted by the additional performance and Thunderbolt 5 connectivity.
Apple’s target market for the Mac mini is still those working on an Intel-based Mac (or a PC) who want to move to the Apple silicon world. In particular, one of these Mac minis with an Apple Studio Display presents a compelling alternative for those of us who appreciate the versatility and performance of the 27-inch iMac.