So the new M4 Mac Mini is here, it’s tiny and it’s awesome. I’ve been using mine for a week or so now and I’ve been super impressed with it so far. I picked up the base M4 model with 16GB of RAM and a 512GB SSD which is priced at just £799 in the UK, so the value for money offered here is incredible.
I was previously using the M1 Mac mini, which served me well for four years, but this new M4 model? It’s on a whole different level. In this review, we’ll dive into the new design, see how it compares to the old model, and talk about what the M4 silicon brings to the table for both photo and video editing.
Design
So this is the first major redesign for the Mac Mini in 14 years. The most noticeable change is of course the size. It’s dramatically smaller compared to previous models. Next to my old M1, it really is tiny. For anyone who wants a powerful desktop setup without the bulk, this is the perfect machine.
Now you’ve probably heard about the change in the power button location—it’s now on the bottom. But honestly, it’s not a big deal. You just slide a finger underneath, and you’re ready to go. This is also a desktop machine so it’s very rare that I turn it fully off. Overall, I think the design is fantastic—it’s like they took a Mac Studio and shrunk it in the wash.
Connections
In terms of connectivity Apple have been surprisingly generous for an entry level Mac. On the rear of the device we have three Thunderbolt 4 ports, a HDMI port and an ethernet port.
Then on the front we have two USB-C ports and an audio jack. I cannot emphasise enough how convenient it is to have those USB-C ports on the front—plugging in or charging devices on the M1 Mini was always rather annoying, so this is a very welcome change.
One more thing to note: there is no USB-A port, which isn’t a huge surprise in 2024, so you will need a USB dongle for any remaining USB-A accessories that you own. Hopefully it won’t be long until USB-A is fully assigned to the history books.
M4 Performance
Now let’s talk about performance. The 10-core M4 chip in this Mac mini is an absolute beast. I’ve already noticed a clear difference compared to my old M1, especially in tasks like exporting photos in Lightroom and editing 4K video in Final Cut Pro.
For context, my workflow primarily involves short-form 4K videos for clients and social media—most of my projects are under five minutes. So, for me, this base M4 chip is more than capable. Final Cut Pro runs like a dream, editing 4k video has been silky smooth with zero lag.
Now, if you’re working with higher-resolution video, like 6K or 8K, or if you’re editing longer, more complex projects, then you might want to consider stepping up to the M4 Pro chip. But for light to medium weight 4k workflows, this base M4 chip is going to handle it just fine.
The M4 Mac Mini has also been rock-solid and completely silent in operation. I haven’t noticed any heat issues or fan noise—it’s like it’s not even there. It also pairs perfectly with the Apple Studio Display and can actually power up to three 5K monitors at once, which is seriously impressive for an entry-level Mac.
The M4 SoC also features a new 16-core neural engine. This is another huge step up from previous models, and has been designed to handle AI tasks and Apple Intelligence with ease. We’re only at the beginning of Apple’s journey into AI and machine learning, but with the M4’s neural engine, you’re fully prepared for whatever comes next.
Final Thoughts
So to include, I can’t recommend the new M4 Mac mini enough. This might just be the best bang-for-buck Mac Apple has ever released.
You’re getting incredible performance with the M4 chip, five USB-C ports (including two on the front), a premium, compact design, and future-proofing for Apple Intelligence. All for a price that’s really hard to beat.
If you’re currently using an M1or M2 Mac Mini, this is a fantastic upgrade that will bring tangible improvements to your workflow. And if you’re still on an old Intel-based Mac Mini? This is going to feel like stepping into a whole new era.
All things considered, if you’re still on the fence about buying the new M4 Mac Mini, I’d say to just go for it, you will not be disappointed.
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