The M4 Mac mini is a large improve from its predecessors in plenty of apparent methods, with a quicker processor, a tiny type issue and 16GB RAM as commonplace. Now some teardowns are displaying that it’s additionally improved on the within.
Whereas earlier generations of the Mac mini had the SSD storage soldered to the logic board, multiple teardowns of the brand new mannequin present detachable modules.
Nonetheless, whereas that’s a giant win for ease of official repairability, there’s no purpose to imagine this shall be straight useful to the common purchaser, even when they’re glad to crack open the Mac mini’s tiny shell.
A modular SSD was additionally a part of 2022’s Mac Studio, however iFixIt discovered that whereas a straight like-for-like drive swap between Studios would work with a DFU restore, you possibly can’t simply drop a bigger capability drive in and have the pc perform. That’s as a result of though the NAND chips are a part of the SSD, the controller continues to be embedded within the SoC.
In different phrases, consumer upgrades are nonetheless not a simple operation. One account on X shows {that a} 2TB improve is feasible, simply as diligent YouTubers have managed with the Studio, but it surely entails the form of warranty-voiding surgical procedure that most individuals is not going to wish to strive at dwelling.
Restore outlets in China can present SSD improve on Day 0‼️ LOL. This dude upgraded a base 256GB SSD M4 Mac mini to 2TB. What he figured: authentic 256GB SSD velocity, R 2000MB/s W 2900MB/s. Upgraded 2TB velocity, R 3300 MB/s W 2900MB/s. Not like prior to now, little comprise within the base. pic.twitter.com/8T5SZDczWsNovember 8, 2024
Positive sufficient, the primary video of an M4 Mac mini improve has already been revealed on YouTube. However once more, the method is not for novices by any means.
When the Mac Studio launched and the modular SSD was found, some speculated that Apple would possibly begin promoting official SSD storage improve kits sooner or later down the road, just as it does for the Mac Pro. However given nothing has emerged two years after launch, it might be courageous to purchase a lower-spec Mac mini with the expectation that one thing will come at a later date.
As an alternative, these wanting extra storage for his or her M4 Mac mini can be wise to pay for it at checkout — even when the costs are a contact arduous to swallow. On the $599 base unit, upgrading the storage to 512GB, 1TB or 2TB are selectable choices at checkout, however will set you again an additional $200, $400 or $800 respectively.
However the teardowns do present one good piece of stories for these sticking with the essential 256GB mannequin. This time round, Apple is utilizing two 128GB storage modules reasonably than a single 256GB one as with the earlier technology. That is something Apple also did with the M3 MacBook Air, and it ought to supply significantly quicker learn and write speeds.
