Apple has unveiled the new Mac mini with M4 chip, showcasing a significant redesign and performance boost. The latest model boasts a smaller form factor, making it even more compact than its predecessors. The M4 Mac mini features a 10-core CPU, 10-core GPU, and starts with 16GB of unified memory, offering substantial improvements in processing power and graphics capabilities.
The redesigned Mac mini introduces USB-C ports on the front, enhancing connectivity options for users. Apple claims the new model delivers up to 6 times faster performance compared to the best-selling PC desktop in its price range, while occupying only one-twentieth of the space. This impressive power-to-size ratio makes the M4 Mac mini an attractive option for students, creatives, and small business owners seeking a powerful yet compact desktop solution.
For those requiring even more performance, Apple offers an M4 Pro variant of the Mac mini. This version comes with a 14-core CPU and 20-core GPU, providing enhanced capabilities for demanding tasks. The M4 Pro model also supports up to 64GB of RAM, while the standard M4 version maxes out at 32GB, catering to users with varying memory needs.
The New Mac mini: Small Size, Giant Leap
Apple recently unveiled a refreshed Mac mini, and it’s packed with impressive upgrades. This tiny desktop computer now boasts the powerful M4 chip, making it a compelling choice for both everyday users and professionals. Let’s dive into the specifications and see what makes this new Mac mini tick.
M4 and M4 Pro Options
The new Mac mini offers two chip options: the M4 and the even more powerful M4 Pro. This allows you to choose the level of performance that best suits your needs and budget.
- M4: This chip features an 8-core CPU with 4 performance cores and 4 efficiency cores, along with a 10-core GPU. It delivers a significant performance boost compared to the previous generation, making everyday tasks and creative projects a breeze.
- M4 Pro: For those who need even more power, the M4 Pro boasts a 12-core CPU with 8 performance cores and 4 efficiency cores. It also includes a 16-core GPU, making it ideal for demanding workflows like video editing and 3D rendering.
Memory and Storage
Apple has also increased the standard memory in the new Mac mini. Both the M4 and M4 Pro models now start with 16GB of unified memory, ensuring smooth multitasking and responsiveness. You can configure the M4 Pro with up to 64GB of memory for even more demanding tasks.
Storage options are also plentiful. The base model comes with 256GB of SSD storage, but you can configure it with up to 8TB of storage to accommodate your growing library of files and media.
Connectivity
The new Mac mini offers a variety of ports to connect your peripherals and displays.
- M4 Model: 3 Thunderbolt 4 ports, 1 HDMI port, 2 USB-A ports, 1 Gigabit Ethernet port, 1 headphone jack
- M4 Pro Model: 3 Thunderbolt 5 ports, 1 HDMI port, 2 USB-A ports, 1 10 Gigabit Ethernet port, 1 headphone jack
The inclusion of Thunderbolt 5 in the M4 Pro model is particularly noteworthy, as it offers significantly faster data transfer speeds and support for more displays.
Display Support
With the M4 chip, you can connect up to two 6K displays and one 4K display simultaneously. The M4 Pro takes it a step further, supporting up to three 6K displays and one 4K display. This makes the Mac mini a versatile option for multi-monitor setups and professionals who need ample screen real estate.
Table: Mac mini M4 Specifications
| Feature | M4 Model | M4 Pro Model |
|---|---|---|
| Starting Price | $599 | $1299 |
| Chip | Apple M4 | Apple M4 Pro |
| CPU | 8-core (4 performance, 4 efficiency) | 12-core (8 performance, 4 efficiency) |
| GPU | 10-core | 16-core |
| Memory | 16GB, configurable up to 24GB | 16GB, configurable up to 64GB |
| Storage | 256GB SSD, configurable up to 2TB | 512GB SSD, configurable up to 8TB |
| Thunderbolt | 3 Thunderbolt 4 ports | 3 Thunderbolt 5 ports |
| Ethernet | Gigabit | 10 Gigabit |
| Display Support | Up to two 6K displays and one 4K display | Up to three 6K displays and one 4K display |
The new Mac mini with the M4 chip is a powerful and versatile machine that offers excellent value for its price. Whether you’re a student, creative professional, or everyday user, the Mac mini is a compelling option for those seeking a compact and capable desktop computer.
Key Takeaways
- The new Mac mini features a smaller design with front USB-C ports and M4 chip options.
- Apple claims up to 6x faster performance than comparable PCs in a fraction of the size.
- RAM options range from 16GB to 64GB, depending on the chosen M4 or M4 Pro configuration.
Core Specifications
The new Mac mini M4 packs impressive hardware upgrades. It offers major performance boosts over previous models while maintaining a compact form factor.
Processor and Performance
The Mac mini M4 features Apple’s latest M4 chip. This powerful processor has a 10-core CPU and 10-core GPU. It delivers up to 6x faster performance than top-selling PC desktops. The M4 chip uses Apple’s custom silicon. It has high-speed performance cores and efficient cores. This design boosts both speed and power efficiency.
The neural engine got an upgrade too. It now has 16 cores for faster machine learning tasks. Video editors will love the enhanced media engine. It speeds up video encoding and decoding.
Memory and Storage
Apple bumped up the base memory to 16GB of unified RAM. This is a big jump from the 8GB in older models. Users can upgrade to 24GB for $200 more. The unified memory setup allows fast data sharing between the CPU and GPU.
Storage options start at 256GB SSD. Buyers can pick larger sizes up to 8TB. The SSDs offer quick read and write speeds for fast app launches and file transfers. Apple kept the base model affordable at $599, with higher specs costing more.
Frequently Asked Questions
The new Mac mini M4 brings significant upgrades in performance, design, and features. Here are some key details about this compact powerhouse.
What are the key features of the Mac mini M4?
The Mac mini M4 boasts a much smaller size than previous models. It measures just 2.0 inches in height. The new design includes two front USB-C ports for easier access. The M4 chip provides a big boost in processing power.
How does the Mac mini M4 compare to its predecessors in terms of performance?
The M4 chip offers major speed improvements over earlier Mac mini models. It has a 10-core CPU and 10-core GPU in the base model. The M4 Pro version steps up to 14 CPU cores and 20 GPU cores for even faster performance.
What are the available storage and memory options for the Mac mini M4?
The standard M4 model can be configured with up to 32GB of RAM. The M4 Pro version supports up to 64GB of memory. Apple hasn’t specified storage options yet, but past models offered up to 2TB SSDs.
What types of connectivity ports are included in the Mac mini M4?
The new Mac mini adds two USB-C ports to the front for easier access. The back likely keeps the same mix of Thunderbolt, USB, HDMI, and Ethernet ports as before. Full port details haven’t been confirmed yet.
What enhancements have been made to the graphics performance of the Mac mini M4?
The base M4 model has a 10-core GPU, up from 8 cores in the M2 version. The M4 Pro jumps to 20 GPU cores. This means much faster graphics for tasks like video editing and 3D rendering.
What is the range of prices for different configurations of the Mac mini M4?
The Mac mini M4 starts at $599 for the base model. The M4 Pro version begins at $1,399. Prices will increase for added memory, storage, and other upgrades. The new models are available for pre-order now.
