Since its launch in 2005, the Mac mini has been known for its compact design and attractive entry-level price into the world of macOS. The new M4 Mac mini is the next generation of this little powerhouse and offers numerous improvements over its predecessors. With a significantly more powerful M4 chip, a much smaller form factor, more memory and new connection options, the Mac mini is now more powerful than ever and even puts itself above some of its bigger brothers. We'll explain who the new Mac mini is suitable for and what you need to look out for when buying one.
design and size
The design of the M4 Mac mini is extremely compact. Apple has managed to reduce the dimensions to just 12.7 cm x 12.7 cm with a height of about 5 cm, making it one of the smallest desktop computers on the market. The new version looks more like a shrunken Mac Studio than the old Mac mini model. This compactness makes it perfect for any desk, especially for those who have limited space without sacrificing performance.
Technical specifications
The M4 Mac mini offers impressive technical specifications that make it ideal for a wide range of tasks. It comes with the new M4 chip, which has a 10-core CPU and a 10-core GPU, as well as 16GB of RAM, which is double the amount of the previous model. In terms of ports, there are Gigabit Ethernet, HDMI, three Thunderbolt 4 ports, and USB-C and USB 3 ports. This versatile feature set ensures that the Mac mini can be used in a wide range of scenarios - from the office to media production.
performance in everyday life
The M4 Mac mini impresses with its strong performance in everyday use. Thanks to the M4 chip, it runs smoothly and handles everyday tasks such as surfing the web, streaming or office applications without any problems. It is even well equipped for medium-sized applications such as photo or video editing. Compared to older Mac mini models, the M4 offers significantly better performance and is therefore also suitable for more demanding users. The M4 Mac mini remains extremely quiet, which makes it ideal for use on the desk.
price-performance ratio
With a starting price of around €699, the M4 Mac mini offers excellent value for money. Compared to other Apple products, such as the M4 iMac, which is available from around €1,299, the Mac mini offers similar performance at a significantly lower price. There are attractive offers, especially for students. While upgrades to storage options are quite costly, the Mac mini remains a very good deal in its basic configuration.
Who is the M4 Mac mini suitable for?
For beginners
For beginners, the M4 Mac mini offers an affordable entry into the Apple ecosystem. It is ideal for users who want to try a Mac for the first time without spending a lot of money. The solid hardware makes it a good choice for anyone looking for a powerful and affordable desktop computer.
students and creatives
Students and creative professionals particularly benefit from the performance of the M4 Mac mini. The M4 chip and 16 GB RAM enable creative tasks such as image editing, video editing or music production. The Mac mini is also suitable for study and research, such as programming or data analysis. The compact design is ideal for small workstations in student dormitories or home offices.
developer
For developers, the Mac mini is well suited as a compact workstation. It offers enough power to develop apps, test software, and work on complex projects. Thanks to many ports and the ability to connect multiple monitors, the M4 Mac mini is a flexible solution for developers who want a stable desktop without the mobility of a laptop.
Review - What the Tech YouTubers say
The Tech YouTuber Marques Brownlee tested and evaluated the new M4 Mac mini in his video. We have summarized his results here.
Advantages
- Compact size: At 5x5x2 inches, the Mac mini is extremely small and space-saving.
- Powerful hardware: The M4 chip offers strong performance for everyday and professional applications.
- Attractive price: At 699€, the base model is surprisingly cheap.
- portability for professionals: The M4 Pro version with Thunderbolt 5 is a powerful, portable workstation.
Disadvantages
- design compromises: The power button is inconveniently placed at the bottom.
- upgrade costs: Storage and Ethernet upgrades are prohibitively expensive.
- Limited GPU performance: For highly graphically demanding tasks, the performance is somewhat limited.
Conclusion – Who benefits from the new Mac mini?
The M4 Mac mini offers fantastic value for money. Especially in the basic configuration, the device is suitable for a wide range of use cases, from beginners to developers and of course for anyone who produces media. Anyone looking for a powerful, flexible and affordable Mac will definitely be happy with the M4 Mac mini. We recommend using external storage solutions if necessary to avoid costly upgrades.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Which upgrades are worth it for the M4 Mac mini?
Upgrading to more memory is worthwhile for users who work a lot with media. The RAM is sufficient for most everyday applications.
Is the M4 Mac mini quiet?
Yes, the Mac mini is very quiet and is ideal for use on a desk.
Can the Mac mini keep up with Windows PCs?
Yes, in terms of performance, the M4 Mac mini outperforms many Windows PCs in the same price range.
How is the M4 Mac mini different from the M1/M2 model?
The M4 Mac mini is smaller and offers more power and storage than its predecessors, making it a strong choice for users looking for a compact desktop.
Is the Mac Mini suitable for photo and video editing?
The Mac Mini with M4 chip is ideal for photo and video editing thanks to its high processing power and efficiency. However, for professional video production or 3D rendering, the M4 Pro variant is recommended as it offers advanced capabilities for demanding tasks.Overall, the Mac Mini M4 impresses with its versatility and efficiency, making it a powerful tool for creative professionals while remaining a compact and cost-effective option compared to larger workstations.
