M4 Mac mini vs M1 Max for Video Editing

Summary

In this video, the creator compares the new base model M4 Mac Mini with the older M1 Max MacBook Pro, both in terms of video editing performance. Despite the price difference—$599 for the M4 Mac Mini vs. $3500 for the M1 Max MacBook Pro—the two machines deliver surprisingly similar editing experiences. The M4 Mac Mini handles 4K video editing, multicam setups, and even demanding effects smoothly, offering incredible value. However, the M1 Max still holds an edge in export speed and GPU-heavy tasks. Overall, the M4 Mac Mini proves to be a powerful, cost-effective solution for most video editors.

Takeaways

• 😀 The base model M4 Mac mini (16GB RAM, 256GB SSD) performs surprisingly similarly to the much higher-end M1 MAX MacBook Pro (32GB RAM, 1TB SSD) despite the significant price difference.
• 😀 The M4 Mac mini is an excellent choice for video editing, handling 4K video files without frame drops or noticeable lag, even with multi-camera setups.
• 😀 Video editing has not become significantly more demanding in recent years, and both M1 Max and M4 models can handle tasks like background removal in real-time with ease.
• 😀 The M4 Mac mini is extremely compact, even smaller than a phone, and fits perfectly under an Apple studio display, making it a great desktop solution for those with limited space.
• 😀 The rise of 4K as a standard video resolution means that even the most basic Mac computers can handle video editing with ease, making high-end models less necessary for most video editors.
• 😀 The editing experience on both the M4 Mac mini and M1 Max MacBook Pro is almost indistinguishable, with both performing smoothly during intensive tasks like multi-camera editing and working with multiple programs simultaneously.
• 😀 The Mac mini’s SSD speed is slower than the M1 Max, with a noticeable difference in large file transfers, though it remains acceptable for most tasks.
• 😀 For video export, the M1 Max performs significantly better, with faster export times due to its dual video encode engines, compared to the single engine in the M4 Mac mini.
• 😀 While the M4 Mac mini has an impressive processor, its GPU performance lags behind the M1 Max, especially for video-intensive tasks, though the difference is not felt in real-world editing workflows.
• 😀 For those who mainly shoot and edit 4K video, the M4 Mac mini is an affordable and powerful option, offering comparable performance to the M1 Max for most video editing tasks.
• 😀 The M4 Mac mini's limited storage options (256GB) can cause slower import speeds for large files, especially when using external card readers, but this can be mitigated with additional accessories like a UHS-II card reader.

Q & A

How does the performance of the base model M4 Mac mini compare to the M1 Max MacBook Pro in video editing tasks?

The performance of the base model M4 Mac mini is surprisingly similar to the M1 Max MacBook Pro when it comes to video editing tasks. Both systems handle 4K video editing, multi-camera shots, and HEVC compression with ease, providing an almost identical editing experience despite the significant price difference.

Why is the price difference between the M4 Mac mini and M1 Max MacBook Pro not reflected in the user experience for video editing?

The user experience in video editing is nearly identical because both systems are equipped with powerful media engines and CPUs that handle video processing efficiently. The M1 Max has more GPU power and dual video encode engines, but these differences don't translate into a noticeable improvement in everyday editing tasks.

What kind of video editing is suitable for the base model M4 Mac mini?

The base model M4 Mac mini is suitable for most video editing tasks, including 4K video editing, multi-camera setups, and handling compressed formats like HEVC/H.265. It is ideal for video editors who work with standard 4K footage but don’t require the power for intensive tasks like 3D rendering or 8K video editing.

What impact does the M1 Max’s dual video encode engines have on video export times?

The dual video encode engines in the M1 Max allow it to export videos much faster than the M4 Mac mini. It can process two halves of the video simultaneously, while the M4 only has one encode engine, which slows down the export process.

What’s the significance of the CPU and GPU benchmarks between the M4 Mac mini and M1 Max?

The M4 Mac mini outperforms the M1 Max in CPU tasks, with significantly higher single-core and multi-core benchmark scores. However, the M1 Max has a much stronger GPU, which is crucial for tasks that rely on graphical power. Despite these differences, video editing tasks don’t noticeably benefit from the M1 Max's extra GPU power in most real-world scenarios.

Does the M4 Mac mini have any notable limitations compared to the M1 Max?

The main limitation of the M4 Mac mini is its less powerful GPU and the fact that it only has one video encode/decode engine, which impacts video export times. Additionally, it lacks a built-in SD card reader, requiring users to rely on external devices for media imports. However, for most video editing tasks, these differences don’t result in a significant practical disadvantage.

How does file transfer speed compare between the M4 Mac mini and M1 Max?

The M1 Max transfers files faster than the M4 Mac mini. For example, an 11GB file transfer took around 12 seconds on the M1 Max, whereas the M4 took approximately 24 seconds. This is due to differences in their internal SSD configurations, with the M1 Max being able to handle transfers more efficiently.

What external hardware is recommended for the M4 Mac mini to improve video editing workflows?

To improve video editing workflows on the M4 Mac mini, it's recommended to use a UHS-II card reader for faster media imports. Additionally, using a fast external SSD, especially via Thunderbolt, will help improve overall file transfer speeds and provide more storage space for video projects.

What kind of user would benefit more from the M1 Max MacBook Pro over the M4 Mac mini?

The M1 Max MacBook Pro is better suited for users who need significantly more GPU power for tasks such as 3D rendering, high-end video effects, or gaming. It’s also ideal for those who need portability, as it is a laptop with a built-in screen and battery. However, for most video editors working with 4K footage, the M4 Mac mini is more than sufficient.

How does the editing experience compare when using both the M4 Mac mini and M1 Max MacBook Pro?

The editing experience on both the M4 Mac mini and M1 Max MacBook Pro is nearly identical. Both systems handle multi-camera 4K video edits smoothly, without noticeable slowdowns, and are able to perform tasks like adding titles and transitions without stuttering. The only major difference lies in export speed, where the M1 Max is faster due to its dual video encode engines.