Apple announced its latest M4 Mac Mini, with its powerful chip and a new compact design, on October 29, 2024. This refreshed version stays authentically within its price range—no desktop Mac is more affordable than that—without compromising a single bit on performance or memory and with its $599 price. Shipping for the new model will commence on November 8, 2024, and tech enthusiasts are impatient to behold the latest developments.
The price and shipping date aren’t all it’s about. Notably smaller than the Mac Mini it replaces, this one squeezes in enough processing power that even old Mac users should take another look. Let’s review the specs, release dates, and pricing of Apple’s latest entry into the desktop market.
M4 Mac Mini’s specs offer powerful performance in a smaller frame
Shrinking the Mac Mini, Apple has made it more portable — while still delivering powerful performance. It’s now five by five by 2 inches (12.7 by 12.7 by 5 cm) and roughly 90 percent less bulky than its predecessor and looks more like a Mac Studio scaled down to miniature, says Fox. Not tiny like an Apple TV, but small enough to fit into tight spaces, it’s ideal for people who want the power of a powerful machine in a smaller package. Even with a smaller frame, the M4 chip inside dangles the promise of increased processing and graphics power over the previous M2 model.
Upgrades to the M4 Mac Mini begin with 16 GB of unified memory. The M4 Mac Mini is also outfitted with a 10-core CPU, mixing performance and efficiency cores, and a 10-core GPU. This is a big upgrade from the old base 8 GB model, which can be upgraded to 24 GB or 32 GB if you require more RAM. There’s an M4 Pro version, with a 12-core CPU and a 16-core GPU, starting at 24 GB of memory and topping out at 64 GB.
Apart from the raw power the Mac Mini offers, Apple also touts the M4 chip, which handles tasks such as gaming and 3D rendering much faster than its predecessors. For example, Apple states that compared to the Intel Core i7 Mac Mini, the M4 delivers up to 13.3 times faster gaming performance in World of Warcraft: In The War Within and many other software improvements.
M4 Mac Mini’s release date highlights Apple’s steady upgrade cycle
On Oct 29, 2024, the M4 and M4 Pro Mac Minis were officially announced, with arrival dates beginning Saturday, November 8. The M2 Mac Mini release is the logical continuation of a two-year upgrade pattern that saw the previous M2 Mac Mini released in January 2023 and the M1 in November 2020.
One of the consistent update cycles with which Apple has kept a Mac Mini series is that Apple has kept updated as it comes with the latest technology trends. Notably, the M4 skips the M3 version of the M2 model, a bet on the performance of the M4 that replaces a two-year upgrade cycle for the M2 model.
The M4 Mac Mini’s price keeps it affordable but with more options for power users
The M4 Mac Mini starts at $599/£599 for its base model, comprising a 10-core CPU, 10-core GPU, 16 GB unified memory, and 256 GB SSD. For $799/£799, those needing a little more storage can upgrade to an upgraded model with 512 GB SSD. The M4 Pro version launches at $1,399/£1,399, with 12 cores, 16 cores of GPU power, and 24 GB of unified memory included. Users can opt into optional upgrades, which push further at a cost: a 14-core CPU and 20-core GPU another $200/£200. It is currently available for pre-order here.
The Mac Mini lacks peripherals like a display, keyboard, or mouse. You must either buy these or supply them if you don’t already have them.
A closer look at connectivity and external display support
The M4 Mac Mini is stuffed with ports and wireless connectivity options. Users will also find three Thunderbolt ports on the back of the device—Thunderbolt 4 on the standard M4 and Thunderbolt 5 on the M4 Pro, which marks the arrival of the latest Thunderbolt technology on the Mac. In addition to Thunderbolt, there are two USB-C ports, a 3.5mm headphone jack, an HDMI port, and a gigabit ethernet port, which can be bumped up to 10 GB for an extra $100/£100.
With such connectivity, the M4 Mac Mini banned the old USB-A jacks found in previous models. This will be costly for users with older devices, requiring USB-C adapters. Wi-Fi 6E and Bluetooth 5.3 enable wireless connectivity with strong feasibility and low error rates.
The Mac Mini also has seen improvements in display support. It can fly up to three external displays at a time, with up to 8 K resolution on the other end of the display cable. Taking an opposite tack to the M4 Pro, however, it can support three displays, up to 6K resolution each (four if you include the Tracer).
The 2024 Mac Mini features its new M4 chip, smaller design, and affordable pricing and is an exciting upgrade for casual or professional users. Apple’s latest release offers a small, compact desktop for everyday tasks or a more powerful machine for all the more intensive workflows you need. If you’re considering upgrading, keep an eye on the shipping dates: This may be one of the most exciting Mac Mini releases yet.
Image credit: Apple
