The M4 Mac Mini is Incredible!

Summary

The new Mac Mini is a game-changer in desktop computing, combining an insanely small design with powerful performance. Apple's refresh of this tiny machine includes a super compact footprint, impressive port selection, and the M4 chip that offers incredible value starting at $599. Despite its size, it handles everyday tasks and medium-grade work with ease. The Mac Mini's M4 Pro version also delivers powerful workstation-level performance, perfect for those on the go. With a focus on efficiency and portability, this updated Mac Mini proves that small doesn’t mean sacrificing power.

Takeaways

• 😀 The new Mac Mini is incredibly small, with a 5x5x2 inch footprint, making it one of the tiniest desktop computers available.
• 😀 Apple’s decision to keep the Mac Mini’s design unchanged, despite the new Apple Silicon update, helps maintain its compact form while enhancing performance.
• 😀 The base M4 Mac Mini, priced at $599, offers excellent value with 16GB of unified memory, a 10-core CPU, and a 10-core GPU, suitable for multitasking and everyday use.
• 😀 The Mac Mini’s size is smaller than everyday objects like a roll of duct tape and the new iPhone, showcasing its compactness in a real-world context.
• 😀 While the Mac Mini’s power button placement on the bottom is criticized for being awkward, it doesn’t significantly affect functionality or usability.
• 😀 Apple’s thermal design ensures that the Mac Mini runs quietly under load, with a single fan keeping things cool even during heavy tasks.
• 😀 The M4 Mac Mini is a strong performer for everyday tasks like web browsing, music streaming, and light photo editing, making it perfect for general users.
• 😀 The Mac Mini offers a great deal compared to the M4 iMac, which starts at $1,299. The $599 Mac Mini offers similar performance at a significantly lower price point.
• 😀 Apple’s upgrade pricing for storage and networking options on the Mac Mini is expensive, making the base model a more compelling choice unless you need specialized upgrades.
• 😀 The maxed-out M4 Pro version of the Mac Mini, priced at $1,399, offers impressive performance with support for three 6K displays and superior CPU and GPU benchmarks.
• 😀 The Mac Mini is a great choice for users who need high-performance computing on the go, offering powerful specs in an easily portable, small form factor, ideal for those who don’t need a laptop.

Q & A

What makes the new Mac Mini's size so impressive?

The new Mac Mini is remarkably small, with a footprint of just 5 inches by 5 inches and a height of 2 inches. It's smaller than a roll of duct tape and barely larger than an Apple TV, making it one of the most compact desktop computers available.

How does the new Mac Mini compare to other small form-factor PCs?

While other small PCs are available, the Mac Mini stands out by being both smaller and more capable. It offers powerful performance and essential ports (Gigabit Ethernet, HDMI, Thunderbolt 4), which many other tiny desktops fail to deliver.

Why is the power button on the bottom of the Mac Mini a controversial design choice?

Placing the power button on the bottom of the Mac Mini seems odd because it’s less accessible than other locations, like the front or top. This design choice has been a source of online jokes and complaints, even though it doesn’t affect functionality for most users.

What is the performance of the base M4 Mac Mini model?

The base M4 Mac Mini, priced at $599, features a 10-core CPU and GPU, 16GB of unified memory, and strong performance for everyday tasks like web browsing, photo editing, and multitasking. It’s ideal for medium-level workloads but not for graphically intensive tasks.

How does the price of the Mac Mini compare to other Apple products?

At $599, the base Mac Mini offers excellent value compared to other Apple products, such as the $1,299 M4 iMac, which offers similar performance but in a larger, non-portable form. This makes the Mac Mini a great entry point into the Apple ecosystem.

What is the 'upgrade ladder' strategy Apple uses with the Mac Mini?

Apple’s pricing strategy encourages customers to upgrade from the base model to higher specs by offering tempting upgrades, such as increased storage or faster networking. However, these upgrades are priced significantly higher, often making the total cost more than the base price of a Mac Mini.

Why is the M4 Mac Mini considered a good deal?

The base model Mac Mini is considered a good deal because of its strong performance for everyday tasks, the doubling of memory from 8GB to 16GB, and its low price of $599. It offers great value, especially when compared to more expensive Apple desktops.

What are the upgrade options for the Mac Mini, and are they worth it?

The Mac Mini offers upgrade options for storage, memory, and networking, but these upgrades can significantly increase the price. For instance, upgrading to a 1TB SSD costs an additional $400. The upgrades may be worth it for those who need extra storage or faster networking, but for many users, the base model is sufficient.

How does the M4 Pro Mac Mini compare to the MacBook Pro in terms of performance?

The M4 Pro Mac Mini, priced at $1399, offers nearly the same CPU performance as an equivalent MacBook Pro but at a lower price. While the MacBook Pro offers portability, the Mac Mini is a more powerful, stationary option for those who don’t need a laptop.

What makes the Mac Mini with the M4 Pro chip a good portable workstation?

The M4 Pro Mac Mini is ideal for a portable workstation because it offers top-tier performance with the M4 Pro chip, Thunderbolt 5 support, and the ability to drive three 6K displays. Its compact size and powerful specs make it perfect for professionals needing portability and performance.