Just placed an order for the M4 mini. Should be delivered within a few days.
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The "I just ordered / bought / got my new/refurb Mac mini" threads, merged
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Went with the base model - 16GB, 256GB SSD, 10 core CPU, 10 core GPU
Received my mini. It is indeed very small. Happy with the new Mac!
I first started considering buying a Mac mini back in 2006, but never did. I was already using a 12" iBook and ended up buying the 2009 MacBook Pro when the 13" model released. Then years later I left the platform altogether, becoming disillusioned with Apple's product offerings, reliability, and pricing. Well things have changed a bit since then, and I finally have another Mac in the house: a Mac mini M4. I bought the base model, the Pro apps bundle, and have added an external 1TB m.2 drive in a Thunderbolt enclosure.
It arrived yesterday.
It's a neat little computer and appropriately priced.
A couple of things that I observed straight away were how the external Thunderbolt drive is significantly faster than the internal disk (I did not expect that), the poor WiFi signal if the Mac is sitting above anything electronic (some desk rearranging required), and how difficult it is to move selected home subfolders (e.g. Music, Movies) to the external disk (I gave up). Time Machine was super-easy to set up to my Synology NAS, which is a significant departure from my mid-2000s experience with TM.
But it's all fun and games, and nobody got hurt.
It arrived yesterday.
It's a neat little computer and appropriately priced.
A couple of things that I observed straight away were how the external Thunderbolt drive is significantly faster than the internal disk (I did not expect that), the poor WiFi signal if the Mac is sitting above anything electronic (some desk rearranging required), and how difficult it is to move selected home subfolders (e.g. Music, Movies) to the external disk (I gave up). Time Machine was super-easy to set up to my Synology NAS, which is a significant departure from my mid-2000s experience with TM.
But it's all fun and games, and nobody got hurt.
You’re correct on a macro level, incorrect on the micro/Apple Inc level.
Trump’s given Apple/Tim Cook a tariff ‘pass’ if you will, as it’s designed in America and often finalized or packaged with software (OS) installed in the US.
Hence, you’re incorrect when it comes to Apple computers, iPhones, iPads, Watches, Apple TV, Apple displays, headphones, IEMs, etc.
Apple is exempt from tariffs - and I believe there’s a clause that will exempt ANY company making investments in their production to America right now. IOW, it may be built now overseas but SoC design and instructions, their proprietary memory - battery - radios; Bluetooth, WiFi, Cellular, GPS, NFC, wireless charging/MagSafe, as well as all the components in the iPhone, Macbook, Apple Watch, TV, etc - having been ‘designed’ at desks in California, with the SoCs design sent to TSMC - w/FoxCon doing the majority of putting the devices together.
Apparently Apple is designing as capable putter together’ers here in the US, allowing tariff-free goods in reference to ALL Apple’s products. Period.
Great video out there (YT) of Tim Cook and Frump shaking hands the day before the tariffs were to be instituted at midnight
Sooo… you’re correct Dave, in all respects with an exception. That exception being EVERY device THIS website discusses (not compares to or switched to comments few n far between and/or arguments about vRAM on the 5070 vs unified memory on board the M4 MAX or M3 Ultra… as those are conversations that usually belong in ‘other’ or ‘miscellaneous’ or whatever MR is calling the ‘off topic’ section of the site.
So rest easy Apple friends, as Apple’s lobbying efforts are significantly better than their progress with Apple Intelligence (Which IMHO is NOT a complete miss! I use it often and usually for writing, etc)
And iPadOS/iOS 26 is revolutionary as far as iPad’s concerned, and it’s advance to becoming one’s primary ‘computer’ or commute compute, while keep a Mini/Studio/iMac or even MBP at home vs traveling everywhere with a heavy bag. My M4 13” iPP with OWC’s Thunderbolt 4 ‘Go Dock’ is the perfect partner, especially when on sale (199) at macsales.
It plugs directly into the iPad via TB4 cable (included), has a built in PS, no wall warts here, simple Mickey Mouse cable available at grocery stores! BUT - with 13 extra I/O options; including a pair of TB4 downstream ports with their own individual controllers - allowing you 2 extra TB4 I/O, as well as several USB-A (3.2) ports, HDMI 2.1, SD UHSII, Audio I/O, another USB C standard 3.2, 2.5Gb/s Ethernet port, Kensington lock, and I know I’m forgetting another one or two, but you get the point.
I use mine @ home on the desk, dongles if necessary on the run in my iPad bag, but with a wireless KB, trackpad/mouse, and a single included TB4 .5 meter or 1m cord connected to the dock, you maintain 100% power status (140w of power deliver via dock), give yourself more ports that ANY available laptop in the Mac or Win world, competing squarely if not better than most desktops, including extra full bandwidth TB4 ports x 2 downstream…not sure how I got here from there but it was in reference to another comment some 40-50 pages ago as far as limitations on iPad’s I/O that eliminates it from being a full on replacement for a computer.
TL-DR -
Apple’s exempt from Chinese tariffs. Other electronic manufacturers, you’re correct though, they’ll be subject to tariffs imposed on a per country basis - eventually with the manufacturer passing the costs on to us, the consumer. Although I think it’ll take some time as they eat profit for a bit while gradually increasing costs associated with their product.
And I think a lot of those manufacturers that are building in China will or have begun plans to move their manufacturing elsewhere. Either a country with lower tariffs or to the US, where hopefully TSMC will begin building fabrication facilities and semi conductor plants as to eliminate the Chinese influence of the world’s technology.
I think we should commandeer a couple hundred Maersk barges (pay ‘em of course) and line em up on the south side of Taiwan, maintaining a show of force to the north between mainland China and Taiwan (US Navy/AF from Guam) - and somehow, as house movers do, move those fabrication systems (broken down of course to be put back together when safe), facilities and tooling, along with the thousands of interested employees (the brain trust for sure, with higher wage guarantees, possibly housing and the like for the first year and automatic citizenship of the US if they decide to come with.
I know how ridiculously infeasible that plan is, but maybe, possibly it could work! And the stranglehold China will inevitably have on the world’s semiconductor supply if the invasion is imminent will disappear, be safe from supply chain restraints, and make sure the world isn’t faced with the same challenges we were from 2020-2022 because of depleted chip production and supply.
Somehow, someway, those tariffs shouldn’t affect important, possibly life saving products, but spreading the burden of price isn’t out of whack. Pharmaceutical purchases in America are often several multiples higher than other first world countries, and while they’re designed (the recipe) in America, they’re usually processed and packaged overseas. Medication is an area America can hardly afford to see increases in price - just as much as chips. They’re in literal everything today. From your TV, fridge, oven, and anything electronic you use to your vehicle which may have dozens of chips to aircraft, boat navigation systems and development of robotics in medicine, progress period would come to a halt if China were in control of semiconductor sales.
Scary times, but as Apple fans, we made the right choice. Apple made the right choice (or Jobs did) with the appointment of Tim Cook as the CEO. He’s brilliant when it comes to supply chain and future needs and necessities the company deems necessary to build their products AND he’s a helluva negotiator, as far as I’m aware, he’s the only successful electronic (cell phone, computer builder, and wearable/services provider) business who’s managed to skirt the tariffs through Frump directly. Via Mr. Cook.
Sorry about the novel
J
PS: we also desperately need a LOT of semiconductor and chip systems in our military’s now six branches, development of new aircraft, ships, satellites and a lotta rocket science - whether defensive, offensive, strategic or tactical - weapons or their deployment systems, as well as it’s network communication, advancing autonomous vehicles (ground, air, water), and a Myriad of a gazillion systems I’ve left out.
Hopefully though, things can even out as far as who’s paying what for what worldwide, passing savings on to America who pays far and away the MOST for medication designed, tested, and perfected stateside but mixed together overseas. IMHO, that’s where we can win in the future - and the elderly aren’t a sickness away from bankruptcy, or splitting meds to save costs and continue to eat.
Not sure what happened post pandemic, but the worlds changed significantly. No matter your location. Grocery stores are no longer open all night, rare to find restaurants that are (just 5 years ago we had a couple Village Inns, Denny’s and a half dozen independent all night breakfast lunch and dinner places open all night, now one Taco Bell and one McDonald’s is it), even gas stations close early often shutting the pumps off when they duck (7, 8, 10 o’clock early). Inflation of groceries, price of shelter or buying a home, cost of vehicles - buying or renting, the list goes on forever.
What a bizarre time to be alive.
The worlds changed significantly, in a half decade, and the pandemic’s significant rate of lethality has been reduced by >90%. Why haven’t we seen changes in society yet? Will we ever return to what was once ‘normal’ life? A whole LOT of people make the world continue to work by working themselves overnights. Unfortunately for them, their choices are limited for a lunch break!
But who cares what your rent/mortgage is, groceries or transportation costs, where the water’s gonna come from - cause Apple products are tariff-free!
**** now
J
Took the plunge a few weeks back and ordered a refurbished base model M4 from Apple - as much as I loved the M2 Max Studio I didn’t use it to its full potential.
So far, so good - at least the previous Bluetooth drop out I used to get with my Mac Mini 2018 have seemingly been resolved.
So far, so good - at least the previous Bluetooth drop out I used to get with my Mac Mini 2018 have seemingly been resolved.
M4 mini owners
Would you be upset if this November Apple releases a Mac mini m5
With better cooling inside like the studio , 512gb SSD as the default , sd card in the front along with the 2 usb c
Would you be upset if this November Apple releases a Mac mini m5
With better cooling inside like the studio , 512gb SSD as the default , sd card in the front along with the 2 usb c
M4 Mac mini doesn’t need better cooling. Maybe M4 Pro would benefit but it’s not an issue with the M4.
A front SD card slot would be a minor upgrade IMO but I don’t expect that. It’s a differentiating feature for the Studio.