MBP16 M1 Max > Mac Mini M4 = Make sense?

[Ifti]

Currently have a high spec MBP16 with M1 Max (10-core CPU and 32-core GPU option), 64GB RAM and 1TB drive.
Spec'd up when initially purchased!

It has always lived on my desk at home and never moved (I have a MacBook Air M3 as my portable machine).
In fact, the keyboard/trackpad haven't even been touched - always used external keyboard and mouse with it! So its completely as new!
My main use for it is with Fusion 360 and Final Cut Pro.

So considering its always been a desktop machine, I'm considering replacing with a new M4 Pro Mac Mini (24GB RAM, 1TB SSD), along with a larger screen.
However, the more I look at it the more I feel it could be a downgrade rather then an upgrade for me? Even if performance was on par, pairing the MM with a larger screen would be nice......but then I could do that with the MBP too.......

Thoughts?

 

[coffeemilktea]

The M4 Pro might outperform the M1 Max on your old MacBook Pro, but otherwise it doesn't seem like much of an upgrade. 🤔 You might be better off just buying a nice display and hooking up the MacBook Pro to it.

 

[emoon3]

Currently have a high spec MBP16 with M1 Max (10-core CPU and 32-core GPU option), 64GB RAM and 1TB drive.
Spec'd up when initially purchased!

It has always lived on my desk at home and never moved (I have a MacBook Air M3 as my portable machine).
In fact, the keyboard/trackpad haven't even been touched - always used external keyboard and mouse with it! So its completely as new!
My main use for it is with Fusion 360 and Final Cut Pro.

So considering its always been a desktop machine, I'm considering replacing with a new M4 Pro Mac Mini (24GB RAM, 1TB SSD), along with a larger screen.
However, the more I look at it the more I feel it could be a downgrade rather then an upgrade for me? Even if performance was on par, pairing the MM with a larger screen would be nice......but then I could do that with the MBP too.......

Thoughts?

I was in the almost exact situation. Same spec Macbook but have an M2 air for portability. I sold my MacBook Pro on Ebay for enought to buy a new M4 pro mini with a couple hundred dollars left.

I did have my Macbook pro paired to two external monitors already though.

You can't go wrong either way, but having two laptops didn't make sense to me, and the value of the Macbook pro was only going to go down.

Performance on most tasks is higher on the mini so I'm happy.

 

[Gabebear]

I'd say the biggest different between the M4-Mini and the M1-Max MacBook Pro will be the SSD; The SSD on the M4 mini is half the speed of the MacBook-Pro M1-Max.

The M4-Pro mini has the same speed SSD as the M1-Max. This mostly comes down to both the M1-Max and M4-Pro using 4 NAND chips for their SSDs where the normal M4 uses 2 NAND chips.

The other stuff isn't such a big deal in my opinion. The M1 Max has better monitor support than the M4(it can support more monitors and more different arrangements of HiDPI configs). The GPU is basically a wash; The M1-Max's GPU will push slightly better numbers but lacks support for some newer features like the newer ray-tracing and the M4's GPU supports all the modern cruft but is slightly slower. The CPU is also basically a wash; The M1-Max will run many multi-core things better and the M4 will run single threaded things faster.

I'd take a M1-Max over an M4 today, although I think the M4-Pro outclasses the M1-Max enough to be a worthy upgrade. The addition of Thunderbolt5 on the M4-Pro(but not the regular M4) is also nice... However since we don't have TB5 devices yet it's not something to worry about much.

 

[Ifti]

You can't go wrong either at, but having two laptops didn't make sense to me, and the value of the Macbook pro was only going to go down.

Yeh this is what I'm thinking - I'd like an actual desktop on my desk again TBH, although I generally use the MBP16 screen at the moment, so would need to shell out for a monitor too (would be nice to go bigger there as well!)....

 

[Ifti]

I'd say the biggest different between the M4-Mini and the M1-Max MacBook Pro will be the SSD; The SSD on the M4 mini is half the speed of the MacBook-Pro M1-Max.

The M4-Pro mini has the same speed SSD as the M1-Max. This mostly comes down to both the M1-Max and M4-Pro using 4 NAND chips for their SSDs where the normal M4 uses 2 NAND chips.

The other stuff isn't such a big deal in my opinion. The M1 Max has better monitor support than the M4(it can support more monitors and more different arrangements of HiDPI configs). The GPU is basically a wash; The M1-Max's GPU will push slightly better numbers but lacks support for some newer features like the newer ray-tracing and the M4's GPU supports all the modern cruft but is slightly slower. The CPU is also basically a wash; The M1-Max will run many multi-core things better and the M4 will run single threaded things faster.

I'd take a M1-Max over an M4 today, although I think the M4-Pro outclasses the M1-Max enough to be a worthy upgrade. The addition of Thunderbolt5 on the M4-Pro(but not the regular M4) is also nice... However since we don't have TB5 devices yet it's not something to worry about much.

Some good points - thanks.....
I guess I could wait to see what the M4 Max in the Studio is like......when/if it comes!!!

 

[Gabebear]

I'd obsessed over this comparison because I have a M1-Max 64GB too.

I wasn't planning to replace my laptop, I just wanted a machine I was more comfortable letting my kids use that was powerful. I ended up going for the M4-Pro mini with 64GB and am leaving it on my WFH desk with two 5K monitors.

 

[Ifti]

I might give it a while and see what the M4 Max is like in the Mac Studio.......if it happens that is.......
I do use the SD Card slot in the MacBook quite often so would be nice to have that built in.....

 

[daneoni]

I'm also tempted by this conundrum although my M1 Max has half the OP's RAM. The only reason is i have a decent trade-in offer for the M1 Max and i don't think i'll get anything as good anymore.

My laptop is usually docked to my ASD with a keyboard and mouse

I'm also attracted to the mini because it doesn't get upgraded often, so i can save money in the future and avoid the FOMO that is prevalent with the laptops.

I would be going for the top-end M4 Pro (48GB/1TB) which matches or outclasses the M1 Max. and would be less than a grand in total cost. Applecare is cheaper too.
My iPad Pro will be my portable computer

I'm only holding back because i'm still wondering if i'll need the portability at some point. I'll also miss the SD Card slot and mini LED screen.

Hmm decisions decisions.

 

[Ifti]

Current laptop spec:
MBP16 with M1 Max (10-core CPU and 32-core GPU option), 64GB RAM and 1TB drive

The spec I would go for with a Mac Mini would be:
Mac Mini M4 Pro with 14-core CPU and 20-core GPU option, 48GB RAM, 512GB drive

I have lots of external TB4/USB4 external storage to use so on-board drive isn't too important.
Or I could go for 1TB storage and drop the RAM down to 24GB (the 48GB upgrade is crazy expensive TBH)......

 

[iSuzan]

Not sure... isn't that a downgrade GPU wise? And for your main programs GPU should be important?

Less RAM and harddrive space... to be honest, I would think twice about this. Unless you need raytracing for something.

Maybe look for a comparison of the GPU specs before you decide.

 

[Ifti]

I think for me its more a matter of moving away from having 2 laptops. I've always had a laptop on my desk, and the MBP16 wasn't portable enough so ended up buying the MBA M3. Hence now have 2 laptops. I'd prefer a desktop with a larger screen along with my MBA, rather then having 2 laptops TBH.......

 

[daneoni]

Your use case kinda makes sense. I'd go for it. Worse case you dont find it suitable and you return it.

 

[blufrog]

M4 Pro advantages are more powerful GPU that now includes hardware ray-tracing, and the media chip hardware was updated to now include H264 and AV1.

 

[Ifti]

M4 Pro advantages are more powerful GPU that now includes hardware ray-tracing, and the media chip hardware was updated to now include H264 and AV1.

This this make it more powerful then the M1 Max GPU, irrespective of the increased cores in M1 Max?

 

[daneoni]

M4 Pro GPU is faster and has more features but it doesn't substitute for the 12 additional cores and extra decoders and encoders on the max chip

 

[Ifti]

Holding out for the M4 Max Studio instead

 

[HobeSoundDarryl]

Again, I don't think there is anything to stop you from buying your bigger monitor NOW and using it with that MAX MBpro. I did exactly that and it worked fine. I went 5K2K ultra-wide, as having all that extra screen RE width really helps with FCPx work. I can barely stand to go back to a laptop screen (or even a squarish screen such as an Apple Studio Display) and face all of the scrolling left & right inefficiencies.

You could get your great monitor(s) now, use them now, and then get a new Mac Studio when it arrives and swap it right in. Or choose a monitor with more than one input and have the horses in BOTH work for you together. Assign some tasks to one and others to the other.

 

[Ifti]

Again, I don't think there is anything to stop you from buying your bigger monitor NOW and using it with that MAX MBpro. I did exactly that and it worked fine. I went 5K2K ultra-wide, as having all that extra screen RE width really helps with FCPx work. I can barely stand to go back to a laptop screen (or even a squarish screen such as an Apple Studio Display) and face all of the scrolling left & right inefficiencies.

You could get your great monitor(s) now, use them now, and then get a new Mac Studio when it arrives and swap it right in. Or choose a monitor with more than one input and have the horses in BOTH work for you together. Assign some tasks to one and others to the other.

Thanks - that's an option, but I'd hate to get a monitor now and for a new Studio Display to pop up with the new Mac Studio! Hence I thought I'd hold to see if the display is also updated at the same time, considering it hasn't been touched in years.......

 

[HobeSoundDarryl]

Plenty of monitors in the sea. I wouldn't limit my shopping to only the 1 consumer monitor choice branded Apple.

If you want only 27” and only a squarish shape screen but buy the whole 5K and only 5K positions slung around by Apple people, there’s 4 or 5 of those available now including the one Apple themselves endorsed by selling it in their own stores before there was a ASD and the very new one from ASUS for half the price of ASD.

I was in your shoes and chose the 40” 5K2K ultra-wide from Dell at about the same price as ASD. While it is about the same screen height as ASD, it provides all that (VERY useful) additional screen width… and a substantial hub built in vs. only a few ports of only one type...

Especially for timeline work like your referenced use of FCPx, I could never go back to a squarish format now, even if ASD 2 rolled out for $1… and that from a VERY long-term user of iMac 27”.

Again, PLENTY of fish in the monitor sea. Consider fishing beyond a pond that holds only a single, very-pricey fish.

 

[Ifti]

Plenty of monitors in the sea. I wouldn't limit my shopping to only the 1 consumer monitor choice branded Apple.

If you want only 27” and only a squarish shape screen but buy the whole 5K and only 5K positions slung around by Apple people, there’s 4 or 5 of those available now including the one Apple themselves endorsed by selling it in their own stores before there was a ASD and the very new one from ASUS for half the price of ASD.

I was in your shoes and chose the 40” 5K2K ultra-wide from Dell at about the same price as ASD. While it is about the same screen height as ASD, it provides all that (VERY useful) additional screen width… and a substantial hub built in vs. only a few ports of only one type...

Especially for timeline work like your referenced use of FCPx, I could never go back to a squarish format now, even if ASD 2 rolled out for $1… and that from a VERY long-term user of iMac 27”.

Again, PLENTY of fish in the monitor sea. Consider fishing beyond a pond that holds only a single, very-pricey fish.

I have a look into these - thank you!!!

 

[HobeSoundDarryl]

And note, per Apple, that M4 PRO Mac Mini can drive up to 8K resolution, so don't overlook the various 6K and 8K options available now too (with more coming soon, such as the LG 6K that got "Best of CES" 2025 accolades).

 

[throAU]

So considering its always been a desktop machine, I'm considering replacing with a new M4 Pro Mac Mini (24GB RAM, 1TB SSD), along with a larger screen.
However, the more I look at it the more I feel it could be a downgrade rather then an upgrade for me? Even if performance was on par, pairing the MM with a larger screen would be nice......but then I could do that with the MBP too.......

Thoughts?

M1 generation to M4 generation (someone who's done M1 Pro to M4 max):

M4 (generation, not just M4 base) Pros:

• Single thread is amazingly faster - interactive/low CPU usage performance is much snappier and that's 90% of how you interact with the machine
• New instructions in the CPU related to AI in the M2 and on that M1 will never support for improved performance
  • Plus the dedicated NPU is about 2x more powerful
• RT support on the GPU (if it doesn't already(?), fusion may support real-time raytracing for your models in a future version)
• New warranty
• CPU performance in multi core will also be faster on an M4 Pro than M1 Max.

M1 Max Pros:

• More GPU cores (but M4 pro GPU will be almost, maybe as fast, plus RT cores!)
• More RAM
• you already own it!

If you aren't hitting RAM limits, no brainer I'd say, pull trigger, get shiny new machine with the new CPU instructions to speed up AI stuff and new GPU features with better low utilisation performance and probably equivalent performance in heavy stuff plus RT support in the Gpu cores.

However (and I totally get what you're thinking!), dropping a tier from Max to Pro and downgrading RAM will always feel a bit more of a side-grade (at best), consider maybe on-sale M3 max MacBook Pro (still an upgrade, maybe available more reasonably priced) if the budget can't quite stretch to M4 max MacBook Pro?

M3 max will be a definite upgrade, has RT support, etc. - but its not the mini you were looking at

 

[Ifti]

M1 generation to M4 generation (someone who's done M1 Pro to M4 max):

M4 Pros:

• Single thread is amazingly faster - interactive/low CPU usage performance is much snappier and that's 90% of how you interact with the machine
• New instructions in the CPU related to AI in the M2 and on that M1 will never support for improved performance
• RT support on the GPU
• New warranty
• CPU performance in multi core will also be faster on an M4 Pro than M1 Max.

M1 Max Pros:

• More GPU cores (but M4 pro GPU will be almost as fast, plus RT cores!)
• More RAM
• you already own it!

If you aren't hitting RAM limits, no brainer I'd say, pull trigger, get shiny new machine with the new CPU instructions to speed up AI stuff and new GPU features with better low utilisation performance and probably equivalent performance in heavy stuff plus RT support in the Gpu cores.

However (and I totally get what you're thinking!), dropping a tier from Max to Pro and downgrading RAM will always feel a bit more of a side-grade (at best), consider maybe on-sale M3 max MacBook Pro (still an upgrade, maybe available more reasonably priced) if the budget can't quite stretch to M4 max MacBook Pro?

M3 max will be a definite upgrade, has RT support, etc. - but its not the mini you were looking at

Thanks - very good points there, although Im moving away from a MacBook and towards a desktop (I have a M3 MBA too!). I would go for the M4 Pro Mac Mini, but by the time I spec it how I like I'm probably almost in base M4 Max Studio territory, which comes with the extra ports I need for all my drives, so I'm waiting to see how that comes about, hopefully around June!
So I'm looking more towards a M4 Max Studio with a 1TB internal drive, and either 32 or 64GB RAM, depending upon how extortionate the price difference is! lol

 

[throAU]

Thanks - very good points there, although Im moving away from a MacBook and towards a desktop (I have a M3 MBA too!). I would go for the M4 Pro Mac Mini, but by the time I spec it how I like I'm probably almost in base M4 Max Studio territory, which comes with the extra ports I need for all my drives, so I'm waiting to see how that comes about, hopefully around June!
So I'm looking more towards a M4 Max Studio with a 1TB internal drive, and either 32 or 64GB RAM, depending upon how extortionate the price difference is! lol

Yeah I think in your situation where you have a dedicated portable and are currently on a Max, and specifically want a desktop - hold off for the studio!

You just know it is a few months off and you'll be able to get a proper max chip in it which will be a proper, no BS upgrade which will smash any mini you might get in the mean-time.

More expensive? Certainly. But a 100%, no doubt about it, significant upgrade.


Murphy also says that the week you order an M4 Pro mini, the Studio will drop while it is in transit!