So usually, one crazy thing about a new piece of tech is enough to get my attention, just something out of the ordinary about it. But this new Mac mini has three things about it that are insane. Instead of having an event this year, Apple decided to do a bunch of press releases in a row for the last week of October to update their whole Mac lineup to M4. One of them was for this new Mac mini.
The Overlook M4 Mac Mini
Now, a lot of us might not give too much thought to the M4 Mac mini. Sure, it holds an important place as the most affordable Mac, but if you’re not buying one, you’re not really thinking about it too much. The number one most insane thing about this refresh is its size. It is absolutely tiny. Apple’s gone through and redesigned almost all of their computers that have received the Mac silicon update—except this one. While the design remains unchanged, the Mac mini was overdue for a redesign. The new one looks more like a shrunken Mac Studio than an old Mac mini. It now has a 5-inch by 5-inch footprint and is 2 inches tall.
To put that into perspective, it’s smaller than a roll of duct tape, the footprint of the new iPhone, and barely bigger than the Apple TV. Apple’s obsession with making computers as small as possible has reached another level with this Mac mini.
Ports and Design Choices
Despite its size, the Mac mini includes a variety of ports: gigabit Ethernet, full-size HDMI, three Thunderbolt ports, two USB-C 3 ports on the front, and a headphone jack. However, it lacks an SD card reader and USB-A. Apple’s upgrade to such a tiny yet capable device is impressive, though the decision to place the power button on the bottom feels like an odd choice.
The Base Model’s Value
- SIZE DOWN. POWER UP — The far mightier, way tinier Mac mini desktop computer is five by five inches of pure power. Built…
- LOOKS SMALL. LIVES LARGE — At just five by five inches, Mac mini is designed to fit perfectly next to a monitor and is e…
- CONVENIENT CONNECTIONS — Get connected with Thunderbolt, HDMI, and Gigabit Ethernet ports on the back and, for the first…
The base M4 Mac mini, priced at $599, is an incredible deal. It features 16GB of unified memory, a 10-core CPU, and a 10-core GPU. Compared to previous generations, it’s more powerful and efficient, capable of handling everyday tasks and medium-grade activities like coding or photo editing with ease.
Compared to the $1,299 M4 iMac, which essentially offers the same internals but includes a non-replaceable display, the Mac mini stands out as a great entry-level Mac. However, Apple’s upgrade pricing for storage or networking options can quickly increase costs, making the base model the sweet spot.
The Maxed-Out Version
The maxed-out Mac mini, priced at $1,399 with an M4 Pro chip, makes a compelling case as a portable workstation. With its high-performance specs, it rivals the MacBook Pro but at a significantly lower cost. It supports three 6K displays, thanks to Thunderbolt 5, and boasts record-breaking CPU scores.
Over time, Apple silicon has enabled Apple to create powerful, efficient, and compact devices like the Mac mini. It’s reminiscent of past attempts like the “Trashcan” Mac Pro or razor-thin MacBook Pros, but with better execution thanks to improved chip performance and efficiency.
Conclusion
The Mac mini is a testament to Apple’s innovation in creating impossibly small yet powerful computers. Nobody might have asked for the Mac mini to be this small, but it’s an incredible achievement. I think Apple Well played.
