The Mac mini, often overlooked in Apple’s lineup, finally gets a well-deserved refresh with the M4 chip. This redesign marks a new era for Apple’s smallest and most affordable desktop, capitalizing on the power of Apple Silicon. This review focuses on the M4 Pro configuration, showcasing its remarkable performance and updated features.
Specifications and Pricing
| Feature | Mac mini M4 | Mac mini M4 Pro |
|---|---|---|
| Dimensions | 5 x 5 x 2 inches | 5 x 5 x 2 inches |
| Weight | 1.5 pounds | 1.6 pounds |
| CPU | M4 (10-core) | M4 Pro (12/14-core) |
| Graphics | 10-core GPU | 16/20-core GPU |
| RAM | 16/24/32GB | 24/48/64GB |
| Storage | 256GB-2TB | 512GB-8TB |
| Ports | 3x Thunderbolt 4, 2x USB-C, Ethernet, HDMI | 3x Thunderbolt 5, 2x USB-C, Ethernet, HDMI |
| Starting Price | $599 | $1399 |
The M4 Mac mini retains its position as the most affordable Mac, starting at $599 with a significant upgrade to 16GB of RAM. The M4 Pro model starts at $1399, offering 24GB of RAM, a 12-core CPU, and a 16-core GPU. While the reviewed configuration with a 14-core CPU, 20-core GPU, 48GB of RAM, and 2TB of storage reaches $2,600, it promises longevity and exceptional performance.
Design and Accessibility
The Mac mini M4 Pro on a desk.
Resembling a shrunken Mac Studio, the new Mac mini boasts a compact design, shedding the previous model’s black strip and large vent. Its smaller footprint prioritizes desk space, fitting comfortably under or behind a monitor. However, the power button’s placement on the bottom of the device is an undeniable design flaw, potentially confusing first-time users. Furthermore, the internal design remains inaccessible, precluding future memory or storage upgrades.
Enhanced Connectivity
The ports on the back of the Mac mini M4 Pro.
The M4 Pro Mac mini offers three Thunderbolt 5 ports, HDMI 2.1, a 10Gb Ethernet jack, and convenient front-facing USB-C ports and a headphone jack. While the trade-off for front-facing accessibility is the removal of USB-A ports, the overall port selection is robust. The absence of an SD card slot, particularly on the Pro model, is a notable omission. Wireless connectivity includes Bluetooth 5.3 and Wi-Fi 6E.
Audio Capabilities
The front of the Mac mini.
While not intended to replace dedicated speakers, the Mac mini’s built-in speaker delivers surprisingly decent audio quality, exceeding expectations for system sounds and casual listening.
Performance Benchmarking
The M4 Pro Mac mini exhibits significant performance gains over previous generations, even outperforming pricier machines like the M2 Ultra Mac Studio and M3 Max MacBook Pro in certain benchmarks.
| Benchmark | Mac mini (M4 Pro) | Mac Studio (M2 Ultra) | MacBook Pro (M3 Max) | Asus ROG NUC 970 (Core Ultra 9 185H) | MacBook Pro (M4 Pro) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cinebench R24 (s/m) | 166 / 1622 | 120 / 1870 | 140 / 1439 | 104 / 1085 | |
| Geekbench 6 (s/m) | 4005 / 23047 | 2681 / 21201 | 3174 / 21137 | 2338 / 12990 | |
| Handbrake (seconds) | 49 | 56 | n/a | 49 |
This exceptional performance, particularly in single-core tasks, underscores the M4 Pro’s power and efficiency. However, the Mac mini’s chassis does tend to run warm during intensive workloads. The impact of the Low Power mode on performance is more pronounced than in previous generations, with a significant drop in performance compared to High Power mode.
Graphics Performance and Gaming Potential
The Mac mini next to the Magic Keyboard and Magic Mouse.
The M4 Pro’s upgraded GPU delivers impressive graphics performance, exceeding the M2 Ultra and rivaling the M3 Max. While not a dedicated gaming PC, it handles demanding titles like Baldur’s Gate 3 admirably. Ray tracing capabilities are present but may require performance trade-offs.
| Benchmark | Mac mini (M4 Pro) | Mac Studio (M2 Ultra) | MacBook Pro (M3 Max) | Dell XPS 16 (Core Ultra 7 155H / RTX 4070) | Asus ROG NUC 970 (Core Ultra 9 185H / RTX 4070M) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cinebench R24 GPU | 9222 | 7727 | 13146 | 9721 | 10552 |
| 3DMark Steel Nomad Light | 7506 | n/a | 8083 | 8761 | n/a |
| Shadow of the Tomb Raider | 81 fps | n/a | 88 fps | n/a | n/a |
Value Proposition and Conclusion
The Mac mini up on its side on a desk.
The M4 Pro Mac mini offers exceptional value, providing comparable performance to more expensive Macs and laptops. Its versatility, affordability, and compact design make it an attractive option for users seeking a powerful and flexible desktop solution. While the power button placement is a minor drawback, the overall package is compelling. The base M4 model, in particular, represents an incredible value at $599. However, potential buyers should be mindful of the cost of storage upgrades.
