Apple’s latest Mac mini models feature the new M4 and M4 Pro chips, offering improved performance for different user needs. The M4 Mac mini starts at $599, while the M4 Pro version comes at a higher price point. Both models deliver significant upgrades over their predecessors, with the M4 Pro offering more power for demanding tasks.
The base M4 Mac mini includes 16GB of RAM and 256GB of storage, making it a capable machine for everyday computing and light professional work. The M4 Pro variant boasts enhanced CPU and GPU capabilities, higher memory bandwidth, and support for Thunderbolt 5. This makes it better suited for more intensive workloads like video editing and 3D rendering.
Choosing between the M4 and M4 Pro Mac mini depends on your specific needs and budget. The M4 model provides excellent value for most users, while the M4 Pro caters to professionals and power users who require additional performance headroom.
M4 Mac mini vs. M4 Pro Mac mini: A Detailed Comparison
Performance and Chip Differences
Both the M4 and M4 Pro are powerful chips, but the M4 Pro offers a significant performance boost. Here’s a breakdown:
| Feature | M4 | M4 Pro |
|---|---|---|
| CPU Cores | 8-core (4 performance, 4 efficiency) | 10-core (6 performance, 4 efficiency) |
| GPU Cores | 8-core | 16-core |
| Neural Engine | 16-core | 16-core |
| Media Engine | Yes | Yes |
| Memory Bandwidth | 64 GB/s | 200 GB/s |
The M4 Pro has more CPU and GPU cores, leading to faster processing speeds for demanding tasks like video editing, 3D rendering, and software development. The increased memory bandwidth also contributes to smoother multitasking and overall performance.
Connectivity and Ports
The M4 Pro Mac mini offers more connectivity options compared to the M4 model:
| Feature | M4 | M4 Pro |
|---|---|---|
| Thunderbolt 4 Ports | 2 | 4 |
| HDMI Port | HDMI 2.0 | HDMI 2.1 |
| Wi-Fi | Wi-Fi 6E | Wi-Fi 6E |
| Bluetooth | Bluetooth 5.3 | Bluetooth 5.3 |
With two extra Thunderbolt 4 ports, the M4 Pro model allows you to connect more high-speed peripherals like external displays and storage devices. The upgraded HDMI 2.1 port supports higher resolutions and refresh rates for an enhanced viewing experience.
Price
The M4 Mac mini is more affordable than the M4 Pro model. This makes it a great option for users who need a capable desktop computer for everyday tasks but don’t require the extra power and connectivity of the Pro model.
Which one should you choose?
The best choice depends on your needs and budget. Consider the M4 Mac mini if:
- You need a computer for everyday tasks like browsing the web, checking email, and light productivity work.
- You’re on a tight budget.
Consider the M4 Pro Mac mini if:
- You need a powerful machine for demanding tasks like video editing, 3D rendering, and software development.
- You require more connectivity options for peripherals.
- You’re willing to spend more for the extra performance.
Key Takeaways
- The M4 Mac mini offers great performance at an affordable price point
- M4 Pro provides enhanced capabilities for demanding professional tasks
- Both models represent significant upgrades in the Mac mini lineup
Design and Build
Apple refreshed its popular Mac mini line with the introduction of the M4 and M4 Pro chips, offering users a choice between solid performance and a significant power boost. But with two new models on the market, it can be tricky to figure out which one is right for you. This comparison breaks down the key differences to help you make an informed decision.
The Mac mini M4 and M4 Pro models feature a compact, sleek design with advanced connectivity options. These machines offer powerful performance in a small footprint, making them suitable for various desk setups and workspaces.
Dimensions and Weight
The Mac mini M4 and M4 Pro share identical dimensions. They measure 7.7 inches (19.7 cm) in width and depth, with a height of just 1.41 inches (3.58 cm). This compact size allows for easy placement on desks or in entertainment centers.
The weight of both models is approximately 2.6 pounds (1.18 kg). This light weight makes the Mac mini highly portable, allowing users to easily move it between workstations or transport it when needed.
The small form factor of the Mac mini is a significant advantage for users with limited desk space or those who prefer a minimalist setup.
Ports and Connectivity
The Mac mini M4 and M4 Pro offer a range of ports for versatile connectivity:
- 2 Thunderbolt 4 ports
- 2 USB-A ports
- 1 HDMI 2.1 port
- 1 Gigabit Ethernet port (upgradable to 10Gb Ethernet)
- 3.5 mm headphone jack
These ports allow users to connect multiple displays, external storage devices, and peripherals. The Thunderbolt 4 ports support data transfer speeds up to 40Gb/s, enabling fast connections to high-performance devices.
Both models feature Wi-Fi 6E and Bluetooth 5.3 for wireless connectivity. This ensures fast and reliable internet connections and seamless pairing with wireless accessories.
Thermal Design
The Mac mini M4 and M4 Pro utilize an advanced thermal system to maintain optimal performance. The design incorporates a fan for active cooling, which helps dissipate heat generated by the powerful M4 and M4 Pro chips.
The fan operates quietly in most scenarios, keeping noise levels to a minimum. This makes the Mac mini suitable for noise-sensitive environments like recording studios or quiet offices.
The thermal design allows the Mac mini to sustain high performance levels during demanding tasks without thermal throttling. This ensures consistent speed and responsiveness, even when running resource-intensive applications or multiple programs simultaneously.
The efficient cooling system also contributes to the longevity of the components, helping to maintain the Mac mini’s performance over time.
Technical Specifications and Performance
The Mac Mini M4 and M4 Pro models offer significant upgrades in processing power, graphics capabilities, and memory bandwidth. These compact machines pack impressive performance into a small form factor, catering to various professional and creative workflows.
Processor and Memory
The M4 chip features a 10-core CPU with 4 performance cores and 6 efficiency cores. It supports up to 24GB of unified memory with 120GB/s memory bandwidth. The M4 Pro chip boasts a 14-core CPU and allows for up to 64GB of unified memory with 273GB/s memory bandwidth.
Both chips utilize Apple’s latest silicon architecture, delivering improved energy efficiency and performance compared to previous generations. The increased core count and memory bandwidth enable smoother multitasking and faster data processing.
| Specification | M4 | M4 Pro |
|---|---|---|
| CPU Cores | 10 | 14 |
| GPU Cores | 10 | 20 |
| Max Memory | 24GB | 64GB |
| Memory Bandwidth | 120GB/s | 273GB/s |
Storage and Expansion
The Mac Mini offers various storage options, starting at 256GB SSD for the base M4 model. Users can configure their machines with up to 8TB of ultra-fast SSD storage. This provides ample space for large files, applications, and media libraries.
Expansion capabilities include:
- Two Thunderbolt 4 ports
- Two USB-A ports
- HDMI 2.1 port
- Gigabit Ethernet (upgradable to 10Gb Ethernet)
These ports allow for connecting multiple high-resolution displays, external storage devices, and other peripherals, enhancing the Mac Mini’s versatility for various setups.
Graphics and Video Support
The M4 chip includes a 10-core GPU, while the M4 Pro features a more powerful 20-core GPU. This upgrade significantly boosts graphics performance for tasks like video editing, 3D rendering, and gaming.
Key graphics and video features:
- Support for up to three 6K displays
- Hardware-accelerated H.264, HEVC, ProRes, and ProRes RAW
- Video decode engine
- Video encode engine
- ProRes encode and decode engine
The enhanced media engine in both chips enables faster video processing and supports professional video formats, making the Mac Mini suitable for content creation workflows.
Benchmarks and Real-World Use Cases
Benchmarks show the M4 and M4 Pro Mac Mini models outperforming their predecessors in both single-threaded and multi-threaded tasks. The M4 Pro, in particular, demonstrates significant gains in CPU and GPU performance.
Real-world applications benefit from these improvements:
- Video editing: Faster rendering and export times
- 3D modeling: Smoother performance with complex scenes
- Software development: Quicker compile times and improved virtual machine performance
- Photo editing: Faster processing of large image files
The M4 Pro model excels in resource-intensive tasks, making it a suitable alternative to the more expensive Mac Studio for many professionals. Its performance in graphics-heavy applications rivals that of dedicated workstations, all while maintaining the compact form factor of the Mac Mini.
Frequently Asked Questions
The Mac mini M4 and M4 Pro models offer different performance levels, specifications, and capabilities. Users often have questions about these differences and how they impact various tasks.
What are the performance differences between the Mac mini M4 and the M4 Pro?
The M4 Pro outperforms the standard M4 in CPU and GPU tasks. It has more cores and faster memory bandwidth. This translates to better performance in demanding applications like video editing and 3D rendering.
The M4 Pro handles multitasking more smoothly. It can run multiple intensive programs simultaneously without slowdowns.
How does the Mac mini M4 fare in terms of gaming capabilities?
The Mac mini M4 offers decent gaming performance for casual players. It can run many popular titles at medium settings and 1080p resolution.
For more serious gamers, the M4 Pro provides a significant boost. Its extra GPU cores allow for higher frame rates and better graphics quality in demanding games.
What are the benchmark scores comparing the Mac mini M4 with the M4 Pro?
Specific benchmark scores vary depending on the test. Generally, the M4 Pro scores 20-30% higher in CPU tests and 40-50% higher in GPU tests compared to the standard M4.
Real-world performance gains may be smaller for everyday tasks. The difference becomes more noticeable in professional applications and gaming.
What upgrades are present in the Mac mini M4 Pro compared to the standard M4 version?
The M4 Pro features more CPU and GPU cores than the standard M4. It also has increased memory bandwidth and supports Thunderbolt 5 technology.
The M4 Pro can drive more external displays at higher resolutions. It supports up to three 6K displays, while the M4 is limited to two 6K displays and one 4K display.
Can you outline the key specifications of the Mac mini M4?
The Mac mini M4 comes with an 8-core CPU and a 10-core GPU. It supports up to 24GB of unified memory and 2TB of SSD storage.
Connectivity options include Wi-Fi 6E, Bluetooth 5.3, two Thunderbolt 4 ports, and HDMI 2.1. The base model starts at 8GB of memory and 256GB of storage.
When was the Mac mini M4 officially released?
Apple released the Mac mini M4 in November 2024. It launched alongside other M4-powered devices in Apple’s annual fall event.
The M4 Pro version of the Mac mini became available at the same time, offering users a choice between the standard and pro models.
