Apple Announces Redesigned Mac Mini With M4 and M4 Pro Chips, Two Front USB-C Ports, and More

[Wando64]

Yes but files in iCloud Drive, Documents & Desktop can be removed from the SSD and ONLY live in the cloud by right-clicking and clicking Remove Download. This has been a feature for a long time now that some people still don't know about.

I know about it, but how good is that when I want to make regular backups of my data?
Besides, I am working on multiple Logic projects all the time and they must reside on my Mac.

 

[WhisperingBobcat]

My desktop speakers use usbc

My studio monitor desktop speakers are older than USB-C.

 

[Wando64]

That's where Optimize Mac Storage comes in clutch.

Only if you don’t care about backing up your data, or needing it on your SSD for work.

 

[tbluhp]

I want one unless the macbook pros offer similar specs like this.

 

[deevey]

Bit weird having the headphone jack on the front. As someone who often has their mini plugged in to my amp, and likes their setup to look wire free, it's a bit off putting

USB-C to RCA ?

 

[neomorpheus]

Those machines typically dont measure up to an M3

do you think the M4 has *worse* performance than the previous gen?

Unlike you, I will assume nothing until I see proper reviews.

Laptops come with a brick because it’s space on the inside you can shave off for battery on a portable device, no one cares about that on a desktop

Selective reading 1.

1) the brick was less reliable than the psus in minis since (also the PSU is pretty easy to pull on a modern mini, *and* they dont have a high rate of failure)

Selective reading 2..

2) it was a massive pain in the ass compared to just a light 2 prong standard cable

Plugging a barrel jack or USB C connector is a pain in the ass?

Yes, dust is an issue with machines with fans, all machines with fans. A machine without fans doesnt suck in dust

Selective reading 3...

Apple has helped them by adding raw image mode for ex, it wasnt explicitly lending direct resources to the project but it was very obviously targeted at it, Marcan posted about it a while back (screenshot below)

That is an assumption, since Apple never stated that was the case.

Maybe Apple realized that making such changes helps their own developers.

Until I see Apple providing drivers and or documentation, like what they did with bootcamp, I will stand with the not helping part.

At this point, we are way off-topic and to be honest, its kind of a waste of time to argue over nonsense like this.

 

[Schrödinger’s]

Some people would want it in the back, some in the front. Everyone can't be happy. I'm assuming most people use the headphone jack for "headphones" – and then you probably want it in the front. I totally get why they went for that option. (

Every port should be on the bottom. Then everybody would be equally miserable. Hey Apple, hear me out! xD

 

[Black Diesel]

I'm looking at a max'd out Mini for $2499, but went and looked at studios and see the M2 Max for $2599. Which is the better buy for video editing in Resolve?

 

[aibloop]

A ton of people will dislodge a hefty little chunk of their bank for this pretty little Mac that could(if it actually can..)… IS it worth it? Based on my testing of a M3 Pro 48gb RAM, the M4 Pro version will be a screamer!

It is in the goldilocks zone of not too expensive, not too under-performant, and not too shabby!

Very very tempting, and the puck-sized-pocket-it and go… Hopefully not a performance hit by heat issues. Is very tempting indeed!


….However, IF I can get a M3 Max in any configuration, it smokes this 100%! Looking at options and used. M3 Max Macbooks are very likely exploding on the used market now and esp when M4 Max Macbook Pro hits…

So I am for sure waiting for benchmarks and tests and keeping my money for a possible M3 Max Macbook snipe in the close future. If M3 Max used are insanely priced in a couple weeks and M4 Pro benchmarks well above M3 Max… I am getting one for sure…

 

[nonns]

Ooohhh I have to have one take my money - that'll be my main daily driver. Big gaming PC relegated only to gaming.

When it comes to all the comments on price gouging over RAM I look at it like this. For the M4 Pro (UK GBP). I will pay for it in cash up front but the difference between the options monthly in the money saved isn't worth worrying about. Its the price of a few Starbucks per month for peace of mind on memory. Furthermore given the reduced power consumption in use vs my PC when under load I'll prob make up the difference in electricity saved.

RAM	Price with 1tb Storage	Price per Month Over 4 years
24GB	1,899.00	39.56
48Gb	2,299.00	47.90 (that's just 8.33/month more than the base RAM Config)
64GB	2,499.00	52.06 (that's just 12.50/month more than the base RAM config)

 

[Serqetry]

Every port should be on the bottom. Then everybody would be equally miserable. Hey Apple, hear me out! xD

That would actually be awesome if they gave it a case like the G4 Cube.

 

[aibloop]

I'm looking at a max'd out Mini for $2499, but went and looked at studios and see the M2 Max for $2599. Which is the better buy for video editing in Resolve?

Hm, I think the maxed out M4 Pro might beat a M2 Max. The Base M4 maxed out will likely not though.

 

[Rychiar]

Unfortunately a longish wait for a Studio, and a maxed-out Mac Mini works well right now.

why buy apple storage though. you can buy a wd black 4tb drive for under $300 and pop it in a thunderbolt 5 bay if ya need crazy performance or a thunderbolt 4 bay for less. they also make an 8tb drive for $649 today. apples storage prices are insane and only make sense to pay on portables like laptops

 

[creediddy]

Aaaaargh…. I just know the base M4 max Mac Studio will sit at close to Mac Mini M4 Pro w 48/64gb ram price… It haunts meeeeeeeee 🫠

Atleast we get Macbook Pro M4 Max reveal tomorrow so we can see the damage between M4 Max/Pro

Yes the M4 Max chip will have incredible performance. However, we all know that these Macbooks 14 and 16 start out at $3199 and $3499. Not the most cost effective Mac's, however, these sku's are a very small percentage of Macbook sales.

 

[creediddy]

They actually have 2 512GB SD base versions. One for $799 with 16GB RAM and one for $999 with 24GB RAM which is very cool. Now that 16GB is the minimum, you could do another 8GB to future-proof.

LOL! I thought that 16GB would be future-proofing...I guess not...LOL!

 

[eltoslightfoot]

why buy apple storage though. you can buy a wd black 4tb drive for under $300 and pop it in a thunderbolt 5 bay if ya need crazy performance or a thunderbolt 4 bay for less. they also make an 8tb drive for $649 today. apples storage prices are insane and only make sense to pay on portables like laptops

I completely agree with this, and where the real savings lie. Even if I spring for the 512GB version for $799, that is $500 less than an MBA 13” with the same config. Then I can add in a 1TB SSD for CHEAP.

 

[eltoslightfoot]

LOL! I thought that 16GB would be future-proofing...I guess not...LOL!

Oh it is, I am more than happy with 16GB RAM. But I am not editing 8k video or anything. I would use iMovie if I had to edit video LOL.

 

[Jumpthesnark]

I so wish my 2014 iMac 5K had lasted a few more months, I had been waiting for this machine. But I had to get a replacement, and my M2 Pro Mini is fantastic. The M4 Pro Mini is verrrrry tempting, but for now it's a want and not a need.

Everyone buying one of these, it looks like you're getting a great computer. Enjoy.

 

[torana355]

Bit weird having the headphone jack on the front. As someone who often has their mini plugged in to my amp, and likes their setup to look wire free, it's a bit off putting

That and the power button on the bottom, Apple are clueless sometimes.

 

[aibloop]

Yes the M4 Max chip will have incredible performance. However, we all know that these Macbooks 14 and 16 start out at $3199 and $3499. Not the most cost effective Mac's, however, these sku's are a very small percentage of Macbook sales.

I was thinking the base Mac Studio M4 Max. It likely will ship 64gb or 48gb Ram on the base config when it drops. AND 1tb ssd. Looking at that in 6 months… After paying 2399$ for a M4 Pro 64gb/1tb when can get a Base Mac Studio M4 Max for same price, will hurt a little not gonna lie… Atleast it is tiny I guess?

 

[sers]

Just waiting for my 2018 intel i3 Mac mini to die. Die already, damn it!!

 

[BrightDarkSky]

OMG there is so so much to say.

If you want to have some fun, compare the pro version to the highest version you can get of the imac


Hilarious 😆😆😆😆

Sweet form factor though, what it means for heating remains to be seen. That's a huge amount of space loss.

 

[torana355]

I AM SCREAMING WITH JOY! Love the pro option in the Mac mini. I was afraid we wouldn't get it.

This is an upgrade from an i7 2018 Mac mini. I think I'll see the speed boost!

View attachment 2443755

Does that config really make sense, at that point you would go the Mac Studio.

 

[Allen_Wentz]

No 32 GB option for the pro chip. That sucks.

Buying 64 GB is the smart move anyway.

 

[Sir_Macs_A_Lot]

Nope, still base M4. The M4 Pro model starts at $1399 for 24GB RAM/512GB SSD. Which is actually $100 more than what the M2 Pro model cost last year.

I'm just fine with my M2 Pro. Plus...this thing is too tall to put it in the place I have my mine in.