M4 Mac mini
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Apple's M4 Mac mini refresh has been warmly received by reviewers, many of whom point out that it's one of the best deals you can get right now — provided you avoid those pricey upgrades.
Apple’s unveiling of the new Mac mini on October 29 wasn’t a typical specs update. After months of rumors, the company finally updated the model, making it even smaller.
At 5 inches square, its footprint has shrunk by 2.7 inches in width and length, but it’s grown in height to 2 inches. It’s now the smallest Mac Apple has ever sold to consumers.
The smaller size also meant a rethink of ports, as the space on the back has been reduced. There are now two USB-C ports and a headphone jack on the front, making it easier for users to connect peripherals.
Mac mini m4
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The update also included new chips, now using the M4 and M4 Pro. The new variants and their accompanying GPUs provide a significant boost over the previous generation.
The M4 Pro also introduces a new technology standard for the Mac mini. The rear Thunderbolt 4 ports on the M4 are upgraded to Thunderbolt 5 on the M4 Pro, allowing for even faster data transfer speeds.
Apple has already opened pre-orders for the Mac mini, which will go on sale on November 8. The M4 starts at $599, while the M4 Pro starts at $1,399.
Reviewers have already been using the new Mac mini ahead of its launch and have begun posting their hot takes on the hardware. Here’s what the tech media is saying about Apple’s latest pint-sized powerhouse.
MKBHD
As expected, tech YouTuber Marques Brownlee was one of the first to have a Mac mini review up and running. His cleverly produced video, titled “The M4 Mac Mini Is Incredible!” is ready to make the case for Apple’s tiny computer.
“Usually one crazy thing about a new piece of technology is enough to get my attention,” he begins. “…But this new Mac mini has three crazy things.”
He praises Apple for shrinking the Mac mini down to a 5-inch by 5-inch size while still creating an incredibly powerful device, saying, “If you try to build or buy another computer that matches this, you'll either build a computer that's just as small but nowhere near as powerful, or a computer that's just as powerful but nowhere near as small.”
Like many others, Brownlee points out that the base model Mac mini is an incredible value. Specifically, he points out that for $599, users get an M4 with 16GB of RAM, a 10-core CPU, and a 10-core GPU.
His last point is a bit niche, but he argues that a loaded M4 Pro Mac mini could be extremely useful for content creators on the go: “The Mac mini is the easiest way to take the M4 Pro chip with you — “just throw it in your travel bag, it's super easy.”
The Verge
“Over the past few days of testing Apple's updated desktop Mac, I've been impressed by all the power and potential packed into this very compact machine,” writes The Verge's Chris Welch. “For a starting price of $599 and with 16GB of RAM standard, the M4 Mac Mini immediately became the best value in Apple's entire Mac lineup.”
He points out the sense of diminishing returns, noting that a loaded M4 Pro model soars to $2,199, making the purchase a bit absurd. However, he notes that the Mac mini probably isn't trying to encroach on the Mac Studio or MacBook Pro market and “would be my recommendation for anyone who wants a solid desktop Mac.”
The review ends by noting that the Mac mini is a great choice for first-time Mac owners, especially those who don't need anything too fancy — just hold off on the overpriced upgrades.
Andrew Edwards
Andrew Edwards's opinion echoes that of others, noting that its small size makes it an easy buy for those who prioritize a device that's easy to get work done.
He also notes that the M4 Pro he tested is an absolute powerhouse, but he has concerns about heat management. “With a compact design and limited cooling, thermal throttling can be a real problem. This means the Mac mini can hit those high peaks, but it won’t be able to sustain them for hours without slowing down.”
And like others, he notes that while the base model is an incredible value for the average user, once you start opting for upgrades, you can get some serious price shock.
Edwards ultimately likes the Mac mini, though, saying it's “great for a home office, works well as a media center, or can be used as a studio workstation.”
TechCrunch
Tech Crunch's review mostly focuses on trying to define the Mac mini's target audience, noting that the base machine still requires users to bring a monitor, keyboard, and mouse — all of which cost extra.
“The new Mac mini is a case of a (mostly) well-designed machine without a completely clear market segment,” TechCrunch writes. “Its sweet spot is for those who already have a monitor or monitors and just want to upgrade to the latest entry-level Mac.”
But at higher configurations, “you start to wonder where exactly the Mini fits in the lineup,” noting that the iMac doesn't require peripherals and the Mac Studio provides more bang for your buck.
The review concludes that the real target audience for the Mac mini is the corporate sector, and buyers who have not yet decided on a purchase are advised to “consider what is more suitable for your configuration and wallet: a MacBook or an iMac.”
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