M4 Mac Mini: Everything You Need To Know

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Apple has officially launched the all-new M4 Mac Mini, joining other powerful new October releases. That includes the new iPad Mini 7, Apple’s smallest tablet and the M4 iMac, with new colours and a faster chip.

The Mac Mini itself hasn’t been updated since January 2023 when it was given the M2 chip. It was then left out of the M3 chip round of updates, unfortunately.

As an integral part of the Mark Ellis Reviews business, we’ve been ready and waiting to write about it for a long time. So here goes!

The M4 Mac Mini is a compact powerhouse that’s not just a minor upgrade; it’s a significant leap forward in performance, design, and sustainability.

Let’s dive into everything you need to know.

Key Features

• Chip Options: Choose between the M4 and M4 Pro for tailored performance.
• Memory: Starting with 16GB of unified memory, upgradeable to 64GB.
• Storage: SSD options ranging from 256GB to 8TB.
• Connectivity: Enhanced port selection, including Thunderbolt 5 on the M4 Pro model.

M4 Mac Mini release date

Rumours and leaks from Bloomberg suggested that the M4 Mac Mini will be released at the end of October and they were spot on, despite the abrupt release of the iPad Mini 7 that threw us into some doubt.

Pre-orders for the M4 Mac Mini started on October 29, 2024, with shipping set to begin on November 8, 2024.

Pricing

The M4 Mac Mini is competitively priced, making it accessible for various users. Here’s a quick look at the pricing tiers:

Upgrades are available, allowing users to tailor their Mac Mini to fit their specific needs.

Operating System and Features

macOS Sequoia

The M4 Mac Mini comes with the latest macOS Sequoia, offering a suite of features that enhance user experience:

• iPhone Mirroring: Interact with your iPhone apps directly from your Mac.
• Improved Safari: Enhanced browsing features for a smoother online experience.
• Gaming Enhancements: Personalised Spatial Audio and improved Game Mode.

Apple Intelligence

Apple’s new personal intelligence system is integrated into the Mac Mini, providing users with advanced capabilities like:

• Writing Tools: Refine text with AI-powered suggestions.
• Siri Enhancements: Improved functionality to handle tasks more efficiently.

Chip

The new Mac Mini features M4 chip. This is the latest chip from Apple to be added to the Apple Silicon lineup and presents yet another impressive jump in performance.

The M4 chip already made its debut in the M4 iPad Pro which was released earlier in 2024, so we already had some idea about its capabilities.

Without going into too much technical info, the M4 chip is fast. Very, very fast. Benchmarks put the speed increase over the M3 chip at 27% in single-core performance. That’s a lot more than the boost we got from the M3 compared to the M2 chip.

We used the M4 chip in our 13-inch M4 iPad Pro review and of course, it was utterly faultless. The only real issue for Apple when selling devices with the M4 chip is that 99% of users will never be able to push the M4 chip to its maximum. In fact, that’s true of the M3 chip too. It is overkill for most of us.

This is a chip for those who need absolutely every last drop of power, meaning 3D graphics designers, statistics modellers and the like.

M4 Chip vs. M4 Pro Chip

The M4 chip is a robust option for everyday tasks, while the M4 Pro is tailored for professionals requiring higher performance. Here’s how they stack up:

Real-World Performance

Apple has made bold claims regarding the M4’s capabilities. Compared to its Intel predecessors, the M4 chip offers:

• Gaming: Up to 13.3 times faster performance in World of Warcraft: The War Within.
• Image Processing: 33 times faster image upscaling in Photomator.
• Audio Projects: Ability to apply 2.8 times more audio effect plugins in Logic Pro.

Enhanced Connectivity Options

Port Availability

The new Mac Mini comes with a variety of ports to cater to different needs:

• Front Ports: Two USB-C ports and a headphone jack for easy access.
• Back Ports: M4 Model- Three Thunderbolt 4 ports, HDMI, and Gigabit Ethernet. M4 Pro Model- Upgraded to Thunderbolt 5 for faster data transfer.

Display Support

The M4 Mac Mini supports impressive external display capabilities:

• M4: Can handle up to three displays—two 6K and one 5K.
• M4 Pro: Supports three 6K displays at 60Hz, offering stunning visual experiences for creatives.

Unified memory and storage

The M2 Mac Mini base model only comes with 8GB of unified memory. This has long been a point of contention, with lots of concerns around whether 8GB is enough to give a Mac sufficient longevity.

But now Apple allows for extensive customization, enabling users to configure their new Mac Mini based on individual requirements. Here’s a quick overview:

Storage: SSD options from 256GB to 8TB.

We’ve explained the difference between SSD storage and unified memory here

Unified Memory: Upgrade from 16GB to 32GB or even 64GB.

Design Innovations

Its sleek design is reminiscent of the Mac Studio but in a more portable form. The compact size allows it to fit seamlessly into any workspace.

The M4 Mac Mini is smaller and more efficient, making it easier to fit into various setups compared to its M1 and M2 counterparts.

How has it changed from the M2 Mac Mini?

When evaluating the M4 Mac Mini against its predecessors, it is not only the smallest Mac Mini ever, it’s performance leaps are significant:

How is the Mac Mini different to the Mac Studio?

The Mac Mini and Mac Studio are both desktop computers produced by Apple. The main difference is that the Mac Studio can be configured with either the M2 Max or M2 Ultra chips. Previous to the latest M4 model, Mac Minis can only come with the standard M2 or M2 Pro chip. 

Therefore the Mac Studio has the capacity for more CPU cores, GPU cores and unified memory. The maximum you can have is 24 CPU cores and a ludicrous 76 GPU cores in the M2 Ultra Mac Studio.

That makes the Mac Studio a top-end device, aimed at those of us who need absolutely every single drop of power. For example, if you undertake extensive statistical modelling or edit high intensity video/graphics then a high-end Mac Studio is for you.

That being said, the Mac Mini is still incredibly powerful, suitable for most people’s needs, including if you edit video or produce music. Especially now it’s been upgraded.

Difference between M4 Mac Mini and M4 iMac

The main difference between the Mac Mini and the iMac is the display. The iMac comes with a display whereas the Mac Mini is just a computer. If you buy a Mac Mini, you will need to buy a separate display, such as the Studio Display.

Generally, the iMac and Mac Mini are similar in terms of power. They have similar options in terms of CPU and GPU cores and unified memory. The only big difference is that you can opt to buy a Mac Mini with an M2 Pro chip but you can’t buy an M2 Pro iMac. 

The iMac is an entry-level device and therefore there isn’t a need for excessive power. Instead, those who need more power, often for a business rather than personal use, have the option to go for the Mac Mini or Mac Studio.

Of course, there is also the price. Mac Minis are cheaper than iMacs because you aren’t paying for a display. If you end up buying a Studio Display from Apple, you will end up paying more for the whole setup of a Mac Mini than an iMac. 

Our M3 iMac review made it clear that the iMac is generally for people looking for an all-rounder, entry-level device. The Mac Mini is aimed more towards businesses that need specific power and hardware requirements.