Mac mini M4 vs M4 Pro - Unboxing, Comparison, Benchmarks & Review!

Summary

In this video, Brandon unboxes and tests the M4 and M4 Pro Mac Mini models, comparing performance, design, and value for money. He dives into their specifications, including RAM, storage, and processing power, highlighting key differences like the M4’s 10-core CPU versus the M4 Pro’s 12-core CPU. Benchmark tests reveal the M4 Pro’s superior performance, particularly in video export times and multitasking. However, Brandon concludes that the M4 Mac Mini, priced at $600, offers excellent value for most users, while the M4 Pro is ideal for professionals with more demanding workflows. He offers insights into choosing the right model based on use case.

Takeaways

• 😀 The base M4 Mac Mini starts at $600 and offers great value for its price, especially for general use and semi-professional tasks.
• 😀 The M4 Pro Mac Mini starts at $1400 and offers upgraded specs like more CPU and GPU cores, as well as 24GB of RAM and 512GB of storage.
• 😀 The main differences between the M4 and M4 Pro are the number of CPU/GPU cores, RAM, and storage capacity.
• 😀 The M4 Mac Mini has 16GB of RAM and 256GB of storage, while the M4 Pro features 24GB of RAM and 512GB of storage, making the M4 Pro more suited for demanding workflows.
• 😀 Both Mac Minis are compact, with the M4 being especially small and lightweight, resembling the size and feel of an Apple TV.
• 😀 Both models feature Thunderbolt 4 ports, with the M4 Pro supporting Thunderbolt 5, offering faster data transfer speeds, but most users may not need it yet.
• 😀 The M4 Mac Mini supports up to three external displays, while the M2 Mac Mini only supported two, marking a notable improvement.
• 😀 Real-world tests, like the video export test, show the M4 Pro being significantly faster, exporting a 100GB 4K video in 2:42 compared to 6:37 on the M4.
• 😀 The M4 Mac Mini now uses two 128GB SSD chips for the base 256GB model, avoiding the slow speeds seen in previous versions, making it much more efficient.
• 😀 The M4 Pro is ideal for creative professionals or those with heavy workflows that involve multitasking across multiple intensive applications, while the base M4 Mac Mini is suitable for everyday use and light to medium tasks.
• 😀 For most users, the M4 Mac Mini is likely sufficient, with 16GB of RAM being adequate for most tasks, making the M4 Pro's extra RAM and GPU cores overkill for basic use.

Q & A

What are the main differences between the M4 Mac Mini and the M4 Pro Mac Mini?

The M4 Mac Mini features a 10-core CPU and GPU, 16GB of RAM, and 256GB of storage, while the M4 Pro Mac Mini offers a 12-core CPU, 16-core GPU, 24GB of RAM, and 512GB of storage. The M4 Pro is priced $800 higher, providing additional CPU and GPU cores, as well as more RAM and storage.

Is the M4 Mac Mini sufficient for professional tasks like 4K video editing?

Yes, the M4 Mac Mini is capable of handling professional tasks, including 4K video editing, especially with the use of external storage. For most users, 16GB of RAM is sufficient, and the performance is solid even for semi-professional workflows.

What is the advantage of the M4 Pro's Thunderbolt 5 ports over the M4's Thunderbolt 4?

The M4 Pro's Thunderbolt 5 ports offer faster data transfer speeds—up to 80GB/s, compared to the 40GB/s offered by Thunderbolt 4. Additionally, Thunderbolt 5 supports up to 120GB/s in bandwidth boost mode, making it beneficial for high-resolution displays, but it is not essential for most users.

Why is the power button on the Mac Mini controversial?

The power button's location on the M4 Mac Mini is controversial because it's placed on the bottom, which requires users to lift the machine slightly to press it. While this might seem inconvenient, it doesn't pose a major issue as users can still operate it with one hand.

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

The M4 Pro outperforms the M4 in benchmarks. For example, the M4 scored 3,810 in Geekbench 6 single-core tests, while the M4 Pro scored 3,752. The M4 Pro also has a higher multi-core score (19,957 vs. 14,544), GPU score (6,944 vs. 3,716), and faster file transfer speeds.

What are the key factors to consider when deciding between the M4 and M4 Pro Mac Mini?

The decision should depend on your specific needs. The M4 Mac Mini is perfect for general use, home office tasks, or light professional work, offering excellent value. The M4 Pro is suited for users who require more power for intensive workloads, such as heavy video editing, 3D rendering, or multitasking with memory-demanding applications.

Does the M4 Mac Mini have any significant bottlenecks in its performance?

The M4 Mac Mini does not have significant bottlenecks, thanks to the improved use of dual 128GB storage chips, which prevents issues seen in previous models like the M2 Mac Mini. The 256GB storage is fast enough for most users, and 16GB of RAM provides a good balance of performance.

What is the expected thermal performance of the M4 Mac Mini compared to the M4 Pro?

The M4 Mac Mini runs hotter and has more frequent fan activity compared to the M4 Pro, as the latter has more efficient thermal management. However, neither model showed signs of thermal throttling, and the M4 Pro remained cooler to the touch.

How does the new M4 Mac Mini handle Final Cut Pro exports compared to the M4 Pro?

The M4 Mac Mini completed a 4K 60fps video export in 6 minutes and 37 seconds, while the M4 Pro completed the same export in just 2 minutes and 42 seconds, making the M4 Pro more than twice as fast. This shows that the M4 Pro offers significant improvements in video export tasks.

Is the M4 Pro Mac Mini worth the extra cost for typical users?

For most users, the M4 Pro Mac Mini may be overkill. The M4 Mac Mini is sufficient for typical tasks, including basic video editing, gaming, and multitasking. The M4 Pro is best for professionals with demanding workloads, such as extensive video editing or using memory-intensive applications.