Switching to The M4 Mac Mini | Unboxing, Migrations Assistant, & Initial Impressions

Summary

In this video, the presenter unboxes and sets up the new M4 Mac Mini, offering first impressions of both the hardware and the setup process. The Mac Mini is praised for its sleek, minimalistic design and compact form, though the lack of included peripherals is noted. The setup process involves using Apple's Migration Assistant to transfer data from a MacBook Air, though challenges arise due to Bluetooth compatibility issues. After the transfer, the presenter highlights how quickly apps load and shares excitement for future use, concluding with a recommendation for users to rely on a Thunderbolt connection for the smoothest experience.

Takeaways

• 😀 Apple’s M4 Mac Mini arrives in minimalist packaging with just the computer and a power cable, emphasizing sleek and efficient design.
• 😀 The reviewer is impressed by the M4 Mac Mini’s compact size and performance, describing it as a portable powerhouse.
• 😀 The unboxing experience lacks extras like Apple stickers, which is a departure from previous packaging norms.
• 😀 Setting up the M4 Mac Mini with non-Apple peripherals (like third-party Bluetooth mouse/keyboard) is challenging, requiring wired connections at startup.
• 😀 The setup process includes a software update to macOS, which is necessary before proceeding with the full migration.
• 😀 The Migration Assistant, used for transferring data from the reviewer’s M2 MacBook Air to the M4 Mac Mini, is a new experience for the reviewer, who typically starts fresh with new devices.
• 😀 The reviewer successfully completes the migration via Thunderbolt 4 cable after the M4 Mac Mini fails to recognize the MacBook Air wirelessly.
• 😀 The migration process is quick, taking about 12 minutes to transfer 120GB of data, including files and applications.
• 😀 Post-migration, the M4 Mac Mini is nearly identical to the M2 MacBook Air, with all files, apps, and login information transferred smoothly.
• 😀 The M4 Mac Mini is noted for its fast performance, with apps launching instantly, even the base model impresses the reviewer with speed and efficiency.
• 😀 The reviewer highlights the need for Apple’s expensive peripherals for a seamless setup experience, which may deter budget-conscious users.
• 😀 The video concludes with a recommendation to use a Thunderbolt cable for faster migration, and a note that the reviewer is excited to integrate the M4 Mac Mini into their ecosystem as a desktop setup.

Q & A

What is the main purpose of the video?

The video aims to unbox the new M4 Mac Mini, share the first impressions of its setup, walk through the migration assistant process, and provide an overview of its pricing and configuration.

How does the unboxing experience of the M4 Mac Mini compare to other companies?

Apple continues to deliver a minimalist unboxing experience, focusing mainly on the computer and a power cable, without any additional peripherals like Apple stickers or a mouse/keyboard.

What is the setup issue mentioned with non-Apple peripherals?

The video mentions that when setting up the M4 Mac Mini, using non-Apple Bluetooth peripherals (like a third-party mouse or keyboard) can cause difficulty, as the Bluetooth menu is not accessible during the initial setup.

What kind of peripheral is required to complete the setup smoothly?

To set up the M4 Mac Mini smoothly, the user either needs a Magic Mouse, Magic Keyboard, or a similar device that can connect during startup, or they must use a wired connection for peripherals.

What was the process of transferring data from the M2 MacBook Air to the M4 Mac Mini like?

The data transfer was completed using the Migration Assistant tool, which was set up through a Thunderbolt 4 cable. The process took around 12 minutes to transfer approximately 150GB of data.

What was the user's experience with using Migration Assistant for the first time?

The user was impressed with the Migration Assistant process, as it transferred files, apps, and even kept the user logged into applications like Slack, Chrome, and email without needing to sign in again.

How long did it take to transfer data from the M2 MacBook Air to the M4 Mac Mini?

The data transfer took about 12 minutes, moving 150GB of storage, including apps, files, and application data.

What setup advice does the video offer for users migrating data to a new Mac?

It is recommended to use a hardwired connection, such as a Thunderbolt cable, when transferring data through Migration Assistant to ensure a faster and smoother process.

What are the advantages of the M4 Mac Mini as highlighted in the video?

The M4 Mac Mini is described as a powerful, compact, and portable machine with impressive performance, even in the baseline configuration. It's particularly suitable for users looking for a stationary desktop setup.

What is the user's final impression of the M4 Mac Mini setup process?

The user is generally satisfied with the M4 Mac Mini setup. They highlight the initial setup issues with non-Apple peripherals but appreciate the fast and smooth transfer process through Migration Assistant and the overall performance of the machine.