After being skipped over in third-generation M-series computers, the Mac mini has returned to deliver the most cost-efficient entry point for Apple’s M4 line of chips. Keeping its starting price at $599, Apple also bumps up its starting configuration to 16GB of unified memory as a baseline.
This has two effects: First, it finally dispels any negativity surrounding Apple’s use of 8GB of memory in starting configurations without costing anyone extra cash. Second, paired with the M4 processor, it enables the ideal version of the Apple Intelligence AI tools to launch in the macOS Sequoia 15.1 update. (AI tools such as this are known to be memory-hungry across processor platforms.)
Apple is now taking preorders for the Mac mini ahead of a Nov. 8 launch.
Macro-Size Changes Inside and Out
In a surprise move, Apple updated the Mac mini design to make room for more useful connections, leading to a more Mac Studio-like appearance. Measuring 5 inches on each side horizontally and 2 inches tall instead of 1.4 by 7.7 by 7.7 inches (HWD) like before, the new Mac mini gains two 10Gbps USB-C 3.1 ports and an audio jack on its front side.
On the rear, the less puck-like desktop houses three Thunderbolt 4 ports, an Ethernet jack, and an HDMI port. This is unfortunate news for anyone still clinging to USB-A accessories, as those ports have been put to pasture.
While it’s down on ports a bit from before in some ways, it’s in no way down on display support—the new Mac mini powers as many as three 6K-resolution displays from its Thunderbolt 4 array.
USB-A goes MIA with the new Mac mini. (Credit: René Ramos; Apple)
Apple is also touting the fact that this is the first fully carbon-neutral Mac product. It uses less aluminum in its chassis design and more fiber-based packaging than ever.
The 3-nanometer, fan-cooled M4 chip inside is an eight-core CPU paired with an eight-core GPU (with an optional 10-core part) and a 16-core Neural Engine coprocessor to handle onboard AI tasks. This is paired with that doubled 16GB memory and a 256GB SSD, starting at $599. The Mac mini supports up to 64GB of memory and as much as 8TB of SSD space.
Apple says this model is 1.6 times faster than the M2 Mac mini in the Affinity Photo app and 1.4 times faster than the predecessor while running World of Warcraft. Overall, Apple says the M4 processor houses the quickest CPU core of any computer chip to date, and the company claims 1.8 times faster CPU performance and 2.2 times quicker GPU speeds over the M1 Mac mini.
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Presenting the Apple M4 Pro Processor
The newest Mac mini is the debut stage for the first advanced M4 processor, the M4 Pro, a higher-tier configuration option. This is a 14-core CPU with an up-to-20-core GPU and the same 16-core Neural Engine as the baseline chip. Apple’s new GPU also specifically doubles ray-tracing performance for better real-time lighting details in 3D games and modeling apps.
Overall, Apple says this version of the souped-up Mac mini is twice as fast as the previous model with the M2 Pro. The M4 Pro also unlocks 120Gbps Thunderbolt 5 ports for the Mac mini, which is the absolute latest for the connection standard.
The new Mac mini is a lot more Mac Studio-like than before. (Credit: Apple)
Specifically regarding the M4 Pro, Apple has bragged about its enhanced memory bandwidth, now 273GB/s. According to Apple, this boosted bandwidth improves performance with AI workloads and is twice as much as any competing AI PC.
Instead of just a basic internal silicon refresh, Apple has improved nearly everything about the Mac mini with this revision, most notably its starting memory configuration. That and the more convenient design represent a lot of value-add for the same starting price of $599, though the USB-A ports will be dearly missed. We’ll save any more judgments for our final review.
