Introduction
Apple's latest Mac Mini M4 has taken the tech world by surprise with its insane updates. Instead of a traditional event, Apple unveiled its new Mac lineup through press releases at the end of October, including the highly anticipated Mac Mini M4 Base model. This refresh has caused quite a stir and for good reason. so lets explore the Mac Mini M4.
The Mac Mini’s Unexpected Insanity
The Mac Mini isn’t typically the focal point of Apple’s lineup, often overlooked due to its affordable nature. However, this year’s update has proven to be noteworthy. The most insane feature of this refresh is its size—this Mac Mini M4 is unbelievably small.
 |
| image by Macworld |
Tiny Design, Huge Impact
Apple has redesigned nearly every product in its Apple Silicon range, except for the Mac Mini, which has stayed true to its original design. However, this refresh makes the Mac Mini look more like a shrunken Mac Studio than a smaller version of its predecessors. Measuring just 5 inches by 5 inches with a height of only 2 inches, the new Mac Mini M4 is almost too small to believe—think of it as a 5x5x2 desktop computer, incredibly compact for the performance it delivers.
The Comparison: Tiny vs. Small
While there are other mini desktop builds out there, the Mac Mini M4 stands out in a class of its own. It’s smaller than a roll of duct tape, an R5 camera with a lens and even the new iPhone. In fact, it's barely larger than the Apple TV, showcasing Apple's obsession with creating smaller computers without compromising on capability.
 |
| image by TechCrunch |
Ports and Power: All the Essentials
Despite its size, the Mac Mini M4 remains functional and powerful. Equipped with fans inside, it manages to stay cool, even when under load. The back offers Gigabit Ethernet, full-size HDMI, three Thunderbolt ports, and two USB-C 3 ports, while the front includes a headphone jack. The only notable absences are the SD card reader and USB-A ports. Still, for most users, the available ports offer everything necessary for daily tasks, making it a tiny powerhouse in terms of both size and functionality.
The Power Button Placement
Now, for something odd—Apple has placed the power button in an inconvenient location: the back corner of the Mac Mini. While this doesn’t actually pose much of an issue for most users, it’s a baffling choice. It's quirky enough to be the subject of memes, but hardly a dealbreaker.
The Consequences of a Smaller Computer
As with any compact design, there are challenges. For desktop computers, battery life isn’t a concern, but speakers and thermals are. Thankfully, Apple has managed to control the heat with a single fan, which remains quiet during normal use, only spinning up under heavy tasks. The result is impressive: efficient heat management in a computer this small.
The Mac Mini M4 Base Model: A Hidden Gem
The second insane aspect of the new Mac Mini M4 is the base model. Priced at $599, it comes with the M4 chip, offering 16GB of unified memory (a significant upgrade from the previous 8GB) and a 10-core CPU and GPU. This offers a fantastic deal for anyone needing solid performance for everyday tasks like web browsing, music streaming, and photo editing. While it might not be suitable for heavy-duty gaming or professional video editing, it handles most medium-level tasks with ease.
.jpg "Mac Mini M4 base model") |
| image from YouTube by @zollotech |
Apple Silicon’s Ongoing Improvements
The M4 chip is a notable leap forward, marking the fourth generation of Apple Silicon. It provides solid performance for tasks such as coding, multitasking and photo editing with programs like Pixelmator. The chip is power-efficient and can easily handle day-to-day activities, reinforcing the notion that the Mac Mini M4 is an impressive budget-friendly option.
The Price Ladder and Apple’s Upgrade Strategy
As expected, Apple’s pricing structure encourages users to climb the “price ladder.” While the base model offers excellent value, upgrades can quickly raise the cost. For example, upgrading from 256GB of storage to 1TB will cost an additional $400. But for those who need more storage or features, this might be a necessary step. If you have an educational email address, you can grab the base Mac Mini M4 for $499, making it an even better deal.
The Portable Workstation Case: M4 Pro Mac Mini
The third insane feature of this update is the maxed-out version, the M4 Pro Mac Mini. At $1399, it delivers workstation-level performance in an incredibly compact form factor. With support for up to three 6K displays and performance that rivals higher-end desktop Macs, this Mac Mini is an excellent option for professionals who need power on the go. It's a portable powerhouse that pushes the boundaries of what was once thought possible.
 |
| image by PCMag |
Specs Of Mac Mini M4
| Feature | Mac Mini M4 (16GB, 256GB SSD) | Mac Mini M4 (16GB, 512GB SSD) | Mac Mini M4 (24GB, 512GB SSD) | Mac Mini M4 Pro (24GB, 512GB SSD) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Price | $599 | $799 | $999 | $1,399 |
| CPU | Apple M4 (10-core) | Apple M4 (10-core) | Apple M4 (10-core) | Apple M4 Pro (12-core) |
| Graphics | Integrated 10-core GPU | Integrated 10-core GPU | Integrated 10-core GPU | Integrated 16-core GPU |
| RAM | 16GB unified memory | 16GB unified memory | 24GB unified memory | 24GB unified memory |
| Storage | 256GB SSD | 512GB SSD | 512GB SSD | 512GB SSD |
| Ports | 2x USB-C, 3x Thunderbolt 4 (USB-C), HDMI, 3.5mm headphone jack, Ethernet | Same as previous | Same as previous | 2x USB-C, 3x Thunderbolt 5 (USB-C), HDMI, 3.5mm headphone jack, Ethernet |
| Wireless | Wi-Fi 6e (802.11ax), Bluetooth 5.3 | Same as previous | Same as previous | Same as previous |
| Weight | 1.5 lbs (0.67kg) | 1.5 lbs (0.67kg) | 1.5 lbs (0.67kg) | 1.6 lbs (0.73kg) |
| Dimensions | 2 x 5 x 5 inches (50 x 127 x 127mm) | Same as previous | Same as previous | Same as previous |
Conclusion
The new Mac Mini M4 is a game-changer, offering three insane features: its incredibly small size, outstanding value in the base model and the powerful, portable workstation capabilities of the M4 Pro version. It proves that small doesn’t have to mean limited, and Apple has managed to create a tiny desktop that delivers incredible performance. Whether you’re looking for a compact desktop or a portable workstation, the Mac Mini M4 has something for everyone.
