Hands On With Apple's New M4 Mac Mini

[MacRumors]

Apple launched the new Mac mini, iMac, and MacBook Pro models with M4 chips today, and because the Mac mini is the only one of the machines that got a design update, we thought we'd check it out to see how it compares to the prior version.

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The 2024 version of the Mac mini is much smaller than the previous M2 model, so it takes up less space on a desktop. It's 5 by 5 inches, down from 7.75 by 7.75 inches, and you can really see a difference when they're side-by-side. There were rumors that the Mac mini could be as small as the Apple TV, but it's not that small.

It's impressive to have a powerful M4 computer in such a small enclosure, and with so many available ports. There are two ports on the front and three on the back, all USB-C or Thunderbolt. If you have USB-A accessories, you'll need an adapter. There's also an HDMI port, a 3.5mm headphone jack, an Ethernet port, and a port for the power cable.

You can get the Mac mini with an M4 or an M4 Pro chip, and the M4 version has three Thunderbolt 4 ports at the back while the M4 Pro version has three Thunderbolt 5 ports that support faster transfer speeds. The M4 and the M4 Pro offer notable speed improvements over the prior M2 and M2 Pro chips. We've got the full array of benchmarks in the video, but CPU performance is up to 55 percent faster in the M4 Pro compared to the M2 Pro. GPU performance is up significantly, and even the SSD is faster.

Apple is also selling the M4 Macs with 16GB RAM at a minimum, which is a major upgrade over the previous 8GB starting RAM for the base model.

The Mac mini is priced starting at $599, but that's because it doesn't come with a display or peripherals. You'll need to supply your own. It's a solid machine for home or work, and because it's so small, you can take it from one place to another if you have two setups with displays and accessories.

There is one downside to the Mac mini. If you often turn your Mac off and on, you might be annoyed to find that the power button is on the bottom of the device. To access it, you'll need to lift the Mac mini up a bit. That's no big deal if you don't turn your computer off regularly, but if you do, just note there's a little bit of an extra hassle to deal with.

Did you get a new M4 Mac mini, or do you plan to? Let us know in the comments below.

Article Link: Hands On With Apple's New M4 Mac Mini

 

[cjsuk]

Got mine. So so so happy.

 

[schappim]

The size reminds me of the other fruit computer company (Raspberry Pi).

 

[Biro]

Sounds like a great little machine. But my M2 Max Mac Studio isn’t even a year old yet. Maybe when the M5 or M6 comes out.

 

[WarmWinterHat]

I have zero use for a mini, but I really, really want one!

 

[Rayansb]

Apple knocked it out of the park with this one. The base model is such a great deal. Weird power button placement but no biggie for my particular use, I never turn off the mini anyways.

 

[Odan]

Yea, the bluetooth problems with previous generations could be a reason to upgrade. My M1 mini had those problems from day one and despite calling Apple several times, they said it's more of a software problem and it'll be fixed with updates eventually... never did for me. Or maybe my unit is defective from factory and anyway it's out of warranty by now... thanks Tim Apple...

 

[Thisismattwade]

Little typo referencing an M5 chip in the paragraph about ports: "...and the M4 version has three Thunderbolt 4 ports at the back while the M5 version has three Thunderbolt 5 ports that support faster transfer speeds."

 

[Chuckeee]

Yea, the bluetooth problems with previous generations could be a reason to upgrade. My M1 mini had those problems from day one and despite calling Apple several times, they said it's more of a software problem and it'll be fixed with updates eventually... never did for me. Or maybe my unit is defective from factory and anyway it's out of warranty by now... thanks Tim Apple...

So is the wifi reception fixed/improved with the new mini design? The teardown seems to imply the antenna appears to be the “grill” under the bottom cover, so it appears to be physically larger and extends closer to the edges.

 

[drrich2]

Judging from forum discussion, people will want to know whether it makes substantial noise at any point in your use, and what the circumstances were that brought that on. The presenter asked about what we ordered and what we're using it for. Here's my scenario:

I ordered an M4Pro Mac Mini, the higher end version, with 48-gig RAM and 2-terabyte SSD (would've loved 4, but could not choke down the the offensive cost for 2 more terabytes), and 1 gigabit ethernet (home user connecting via 6E wireless network (really 6, since the 'e' is short range and the router's in another room)). For general home use. Over-powered for what I do, but I like to keep and use a system for at least several years.

And I wanted Thunderbolt 5. Whether I'll ever benefit from it much I don't know, but we're at the start of what's likely to be at least a few (if not several) years of TB 5 peripherals and the speeds are roughly double, so that bit of future-proofing is nice.

The real struggle relates to monitor choice. My old 2017 iMac doesn't have target display mode, so it's new monitor time. I'd probably be okay with a Dell UltraSharp U2723QE 27" 4K UHD for $435, but crave a ASUS ProArt Display PA27JCV 27" 5K HDR Monitor (and have driven myself nuts struggling with how much Apple's alleged resolution scaling apart from 110 and 220 pixel/inch resolutions is an issue).

 

[nathansz]

Was looking them while picking up my MacBook Pro today and was really struck by how small they actually are

If I didn’t need a laptop I would have maxed one of them out instead and have saved money to boot

 

[purplefuku]

The base model is already $549 at Amazon (with coupon, backordered 1-2 months currently) & Best Buy (with Plus membership).

 

[klasma]

The size reminds me of the other fruit computer company (Raspberry Pi).

It reminds me more of the Intel NUCs, which are slightly smaller, though are using an external power adapter.

 

[museic]

Apple knocked it out of the park with this one. The base model is such a great deal. Weird power button placement but no biggie for my particular use, I never turn off the mini anyways.

Yep. I just fondled one at the local Blue store.

One thing I haven't heard discussed much that I was impressed by is just how LIGHT the Mini is. It almost felt like there was nothing inside the chassis.

If the button were placed anywhere else you'd probably move the unit just trying to depress the button anyway!

 

[nt5672]

The real struggle relates to monitor choice. My old 2017 iMac doesn't have target display mode, so it's new monitor time. I'd probably be okay with a Dell UltraSharp U2723QE 27" 4K UHD for $435, but crave a ASUS ProArt Display PA27JCV 27" 5K HDR Monitor (and have driven myself nuts struggling with how much Apple's alleged resolution scaling apart from 110 and 220 pixel/inch resolutions is an issue).

Me too. I'd planned on using Luna Display to continue to use my iMac, which I have been using on my MacBook Pro for months, but alas Luna does not work out of the box. Luna bug report filed, waiting for resolution.

 

[drrich2]

I'd planned on using Luna Display to continue to use my iMac, which I have been using on my MacBook Pro for months, but alas Luna does not work out of the box.

Please let us know how well that works out, and how well it worked with your MacBookPro, any downsides, etc...?

 

[Jodeo]

Waiting for someone to attach it to a huge clip and then clip it to their shirt: The Mac Nano...

😉

 

[dawnrazor]

It can not be overstated just how small the Mac Mini is… saw one yesterday and while being completely prepared for it to be small, I was impressed at just how small it is… which is ridiculous right… but its so small… !

 

[Adam-Jobs]

Is it viable to buy the base 256GB model? I find my 256GB MacBook Pro (2015) is always out of space just from the updates it gets. I also like to keep my phone and iPad backed up to it though now I’m having to delete the backups. Is anyone familiar with a way to back up an iOS device OFF the internal drive?

 

[mattopotamus]

The base model is already $549 at Amazon (with coupon, backordered 1-2 months currently) & Best Buy (with Plus membership).

or you just buy through the education store, which requires no verification, and save $100.

 

[corsaro]

Judging from forum discussion, people will want to know whether it makes substantial noise at any point in your use, and what the circumstances were that brought that on. The presenter asked about what we ordered and what we're using it for. Here's my scenario:

I ordered an M4Pro Mac Mini, the higher end version, with 48-gig RAM and 2-terabyte SSD (would've loved 4, but could not choke down the the offensive cost for 2 more terabytes), and 1 gigabit ethernet (home user connecting via 6E wireless network (really 6, since the 'e' is short range and the router's in another room)). For general home use. Over-powered for what I do, but I like to keep and use a system for at least several years.

And I wanted Thunderbolt 5. Whether I'll ever benefit from it much I don't know, but we're at the start of what's likely to be at least a few (if not several) years of TB 5 peripherals and the speeds are roughly double, so that bit of future-proofing is nice.

The real struggle relates to monitor choice. My old 2017 iMac doesn't have target display mode, so it's new monitor time. I'd probably be okay with a Dell UltraSharp U2723QE 27" 4K UHD for $435, but crave a ASUS ProArt Display PA27JCV 27" 5K HDR Monitor (and have driven myself nuts struggling with how much Apple's alleged resolution scaling apart from 110 and 220 pixel/inch resolutions is an issue).

You have a situation very similar to mine: I have a 27” IMac 2017, with 64GB Ram and 1TB SSD. I use it for work, engineering design. Despite the 64GB Ram, which allowed my beloved IMac to last so far, its time to consider a new Mac for me. Mac Studio with M4 Max will be an option, but the small mini is very nice (I could even easily carry it between two different offices I usually work from), I would take the M4 Pro maxed at 64GB Ram and 2 TB disk.
As you said, my only concern is the fan noise. So I ask you if you can post your impressions about that, in real use, when it becomes noisy (which application) , for what kind of use (I don’t care it’s noisy when using performance tests, I care about daily use).
About he monitor, surely I will go with Apple Studio Display, maybe next year a new version could arrive.

 

[Bearygoodfries1]

Yea, the bluetooth problems with previous generations could be a reason to upgrade. My M1 mini had those problems from day one and despite calling Apple several times, they said it's more of a software problem and it'll be fixed with updates eventually... never did for me. Or maybe my unit is defective from factory and anyway it's out of warranty by now... thanks Tim Apple...

So there really was an issue with connecting Bluetooth peripherals to Mac Mini’s?

I use a Logitech Keyboard and mouse and it connects instantly to my Windows computer, but there’s always lag with my M2 Mac Minis, and sometimes the connection would even drop occasionally.

 

[Dionte]

Set my first one up, about to do the second one.

 

[drsox]

Arrived today - brilliant. Glad I sold my M2 Studio, bought this and received a net refund of £1000.

 

[TimB21]

How about a base M4 Mini to replace an Apple TV? Pros? Cons?