Apple has once again pushed the boundaries of desktop computing with the introduction of the new Apple Mac Mini M4. Now just five inches long and five inches wide, this diminutive device packs unprecedented power into its sleek, compact form. In addition to a significant redesign, the latest iteration introduces Apple’s state-of-the-art M4 silicon, which promises remarkable speed and efficiency.
The new Mac Mini’s smaller size is immediately noticeable, making it a standout among desktop computers. Despite its small size, Apple says thermal management remains optimal. The company credits the power efficiency of the M4 chip and an innovative thermal architecture that channels air through multiple levels of the system, with ventilation ingeniously routed through the base of the device.
Equipped with the M4 processor, the base model starts at an attractive $599 and comes standard with 16GB of unified memory, setting a new benchmark in Apple’s lineup. For those who want even more performance, the M4 Pro variant starts at $1,399 and features a 14-core CPU and 20-core GPU. This model supports up to 64GB of unified memory and offers storage options up to a staggering 8TB, ensuring that even the most intensive workloads are handled with ease.
Connectivity has been greatly enhanced. The front of Mac Mini now features two USB-C ports and a 3.5mm audio jack for easy access to peripherals. On the back are three Thunderbolt ports – Thunderbolt 4 on the M4 and the latest Thunderbolt 5 on the M4 Pro – plus Ethernet and HDMI. While traditional USB-A ports have been omitted, the addition of Thunderbolt ports compensates for this change, offering greater flexibility and faster data transfer speeds.
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The inclusion of hardware-accelerated ray tracing is a Mac Mini first, boosting graphics performance for gaming and professional applications. The M4 Pro’s enhanced Neural Engine, more than three times faster than previous iterations, accelerates AI tasks, making Mac Mini adept at handling complex machine learning workloads.
Apple Intelligence, the company’s new personal intelligence system, debuts on Mac Mini, transforming the way users interact with the device. This integration introduces features such as systemwide writing tools for refining text and a redesigned Siri that offers seamless voice and typed commands. Apple Intelligence ensures these advancements are delivered with a focus on user privacy, leveraging on-device processing and private cloud compute technologies.
The Mac Mini was also designed with the environment in mind. As Apple’s first carbon-neutral Mac, it reduces greenhouse gas emissions by more than 80 percent over its entire lifecycle. It contains more than 50 percent recycled content, and its enclosure is made from 100 percent post-consumer recycled aluminum. In addition, Apple has switched to all-fiber packaging, moving closer to its goal of eliminating plastic from packaging by 2025.
With macOS Sequoia 15.1, the Mac Mini’s capabilities are further expanded. Users can now mirror their iPhones wirelessly, enhancing cross-device functionality. Safari introduces new features like Highlights and an improved Reader mode, while gaming experiences are enriched with Personalized Spatial Audio and updates to Game Mode. The upcoming availability of titles such as Assassin’s Creed Shadows promises to take full advantage of the hardware advancements.
The Apple Mac Mini M4 is available for pre-order immediately and will be in stores on November 8th.