The new Mac mini proves Apple still excels at making the best computers

Apple unveiled the next-generation Mac mini on Tuesday, and it’s impressively mini — much smaller than its predecessor. But the new Mac mini isn’t just a new design; it’s also incredible engineering. It shows how Apple still excels at making the best computers.

I’ve been a longtime Mac user, and the Mac mini has always struck me as remarkable. Something ahead of its time. I’ve always marveled at how Apple managed to squeeze a full-fledged computer into a small package, given the limitations of the time.

The Mac family has had a tough time for a while (I’m looking at you, Butterfly keyboard). But things seem to be back on track, especially with the move to Apple Silicon Macs. The company promised that the move to its own chips would open up a new world of possibilities for the Mac, and we're seeing that now.

The M4 Mac mini is one of the most impressive computers Apple has ever built

The new M4 Mac mini is the culmination of a lot of the technology Apple has introduced in recent years. I remember dreaming about an Apple TV-sized Mac mini for years. Now we have one. And the best part: it doesn’t compromise on anything.

In the past, having a super-portable machine usually meant you were giving up something in return. But the M4 Mac mini isn’t just the smallest desktop Apple has ever made, it’s also pretty powerful. For example, the base M4 chip has a faster processor than the M2 Max in the latest Mac Studio. And the M4 Pro is even more powerful.

Top comment from Hetty

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I like the clean desktop. I like the small form factor. It would be funny to see professionals bring their Mac Mini home for all nights or weekends.

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We’re talking about a computer that’s almost the size of an Apple TV, capable of playing 8K video and running console-level games with ray tracing.

But I’m also happy to see Apple adding more value to the Mac and giving users what they want. The Mac mini now comes standard with 16GB of RAM, and it has plenty of ports, including USB-C, Thunderbolt, Ethernet, and HDMI.

But here’s what really makes the Mac mini an easy choice, perhaps one of the best: the price. With all these upgrades, Apple still sells it for the same $599 as the previous generation. It’s hard not to recommend the Mac mini to anyone who already has a desktop computer at home. It’s powerful, sleek, compact, and a great price.

For me, the new Mac mini is the best representation of what Apple is all about. And I really hope the company continues to follow that path with its future products. What about you? What do you think of the new Mac mini? Let me know in the comments section below.