Apple’s smallest and cheapest computer just got an update
M4 and M4 Pro chips, smaller design, redesigned body with front ports, and more updates come to the 2024 Mac mini update.
The second update in a series of three Mac announcements we’re expecting this week. While the first focused on the iMac with M4, this one was all about the new M4 and M4 Pro Mac mini.
The new Mac mini delivers gigantic performance in an unbelievably small design thanks to the power efficiency of Apple silicon and an innovative new thermal architecture. Combined with the performance of M4 and the new M4 Pro chip, enhanced connectivity on both the front and back, and the arrival of Apple Intelligence, Mac mini is more capable and versatile than ever, and there is nothing else like it.
John Ternus, senior vice president of Hardware Engineering, Apple
The Mac mini first launched in 2005. In 2010 it got a redesign, removing the optical drive and adopting the design we’ve been familiar with for over 14 years. Other than some port changes, the Mac mini has kept the same basic shape ever since. The latest update redesigns the desktop computer, while keeping it recognizable. Thanks to the size and efficiency of Apple silicon, the new Mac mini is just 5 x 5 x 2 inches, making it smaller, lighter and slightly deeper. As shown in the video below, air flows in and out of the machines via the vents on the bottom. The new Mac mini is also Apple’s first carbon neutral Mac.
Between memory, storage and ports, the Mac mini is available in many different configuations, however the biggest difference is between the M4 and M4 Pro chips. Previously available in M2 and M2 Pro options, the M4 brings a 10-core CPU and 10-core GPU. M4 delivers up to 1.8x faster CPU performance and up to 2.2x faster GPU performance over the M1 Mac mini. Compared to the best-selling PC in its price range, the Mac mini is up to 6x faster at one-twentieth the size.
The Mac mini launches the M4 Pro for the first time. M4 Pro features a 14-core CPU and 20-core GPU. The GPU in M4 Pro is twice as powerful as the GPU in M4. The Neural Engine in M4 Pro is over 3x faster than M1.
The redesign brings front-facing ports to the Mac mini for the first time. The front has two USB-C ports and an audio jack with support for high-impedance headphones. Around back, on the M4 Mac mini there are three Thunderbolt 4 ports. These are upgraded to Thunderbolt 5 on the M4 Pro, which enables faster data transfer speeds, up to 120Gb/s, more than double the throughput of Thunderbolt 4. There’s an HDMI port and a Gigabit Ethernet port on all configurations of the Mac mini, which is upgradable to 10Gb Ethernet for $100. The M4 supports up to two 6K displays and up to one 5K display. M4 Pro supports up to three 6K displays at 60Hz.
The new Mac mini doubles the starting and maximum memory. The M4 Mac mini now starts at 16GB of memory, which can be upgraded to 24GB or 32GB. The M4 Pro Mac mini starts at 24GB of memory, which can be upgraded to 48GB or 64GB. Memory on the M4 Pro supports 273GB/s bandwidth.
Storage options are the same as before. M4 ranges from 256GB SSD to 2TB SSD. M4 Pro ranges from 512GB to 8TB SSD. Apple notoriously over charge for upgrades. As a desktop computer which is largely stationary, we’d recommend buying external additional storage if required. Another way the Mac mini hasn’t changed is connectivity. The new Mac mini still supports Wi-Fi 6E and Bluetooth 5.3.
The new Mac mini is still the same price. Mac mini with M4 starts at $599. Mac mini with M4 Pro starts at $1,399. You can pre-order today and they become available next week on November 8.
