Apple launched the brand new Mac mini, iMac, and MacBook Pro fashions with M4 chips right this moment, and since the Mac mini is the one one of many machines that bought a design replace, we thought we would test it out to see the way it compares to the prior model.
The 2024 model of the Mac mini is far smaller than the earlier M2 mannequin, so it takes up much less area on a desktop. It is 5 by 5 inches, down from 7.75 by 7.75 inches, and you’ll actually see a distinction after they’re side-by-side. There have been rumors that the Mac mini could possibly be as small because the Apple TV, nevertheless it’s not that small.
It is spectacular to have a robust M4 pc in such a small enclosure, and with so many accessible ports. There are two ports on the entrance and three on the again, all USB-C or Thunderbolt. If in case you have USB-A equipment, you may want an adapter. There’s additionally an HDMI port, a 3.5mm headphone jack, an Ethernet port, and a port for the facility cable.
You may get the Mac mini with an M4 or an M4 Professional chip, and the M4 model has three Thunderbolt 4 ports on the again whereas the M5 model has three Thunderbolt 5 ports that help quicker switch speeds. The M4 and the M4 Professional provide notable velocity enhancements over the prior M2 and M2 Professional chips. We have the total array of benchmarks within the video, however CPU efficiency is as much as 55 p.c quicker within the M4 Professional in comparison with the M2 Professional. GPU efficiency is up considerably, and even the SSD is quicker.
Apple can also be promoting the M4 Macs with 16GB RAM at a minimal, which is a significant improve over the earlier 8GB beginning RAM for the bottom mannequin.
The Mac mini is priced beginning at $599, however that is as a result of it does not include a show or peripherals. You may want to provide your personal. It is a strong machine for house or work, and since it is so small, you’ll be able to take it from one place to a different you probably have two setups with shows and equipment.
There may be one draw back to the Mac mini. In the event you usually flip your Mac on and off, you may be aggravated to search out that the facility button is on the underside of the machine. To entry it, you may have to raise the Mac mini up a bit. That is no huge deal if you happen to do not flip your pc off commonly, however if you happen to do, simply word there’s a bit of little bit of an additional problem to take care of.
Did you get a brand new M4 Mac mini, or do you propose to? Tell us within the feedback under.