Mac Mini M4 Review: Should You Buy or Pass it

The new Mac Mini M4 brings a faster chip with Apple intelligence, more ports, triple display support, and solid storage options but somewhat hampered by a poorly placed power button and pricey upgrade options.

Apple’s Mac Mini M4 has officially hit the market, and it’s here to make a statement—whether you’re ready for it or not. It’s smaller, faster, and, for some reason, has front-facing USB-C ports (because that’s apparently a thing we needed). But is this little powerhouse truly worth your hard-earned cash, or is it just another overpriced paperweight with a shiny Apple logo?Let’s dive in.

The Mac Mini M4: A Pocket-Sized Powerhouse… For Your Desk

Imagine if a Ferrari and a coffee grinder had a baby. That’s the Mac Mini M4. It’s the smallest, most efficient desktop Apple has ever made, and it’s the kind of device that makes you wonder how we ever tolerated clunky desktop towers in the first place. At 5 x 5 x 2 inches, this tiny beast could probably fit in your lunchbox, but instead of packing a sandwich, it comes loaded with Apple’s M4 chip—which is more like a supercharged potato chip in the world of desktops.

But don’t let the size fool you. This little guy might fit into tight spaces, but it’s got power that would make a bulldozer jealous. And guess what? It’s eco-friendly too! Apple is touting the Mac Mini M4 as their first carbon-neutral product, which is great news if you care about saving the planet while you stream Netflix at 4K. Yes, the Mac Mini M4 is small in size but big on saving the world… at least, that’s what Apple wants you to believe.

M4 Chip: Blazing Speeds (For Better or Worse)

Let’s talk performance, because that’s what really matters, right? If you’re here expecting a machine that can barely open Chrome tabs without crying, you’ve come to the wrong place.

M4 Chip – A Speed Demon

The M4 chip in the Mac Mini M4 is a game-changer. It’s got 10 cores—10!—which is like having a bunch of caffeinated squirrels running around inside your computer, making everything just fly. Geekbench scores? Let’s just say that the Mac Mini M4 doesn’t just beat its predecessor (the M2), it leaves it in the dust and makes it look like a floppy disk from the ‘90s.

• Single-Core Performance: 3838
• Multi-Core Performance: 14838

And if you’re wondering whether this thing can handle your Netflix binge and your work spreadsheets at the same time, don’t worry—it’s got your back. The M4 chip can take your basic office tasks, creative projects, and more intense workloads like video editing and 3D rendering, and make them feel like a walk in the park.

The GPU: Like Putting a Tesla in a Go-Kart

While the M4 CPU is impressive, let’s not forget about the GPU. It’s up to 2.2x faster than the M1, and it even supports hardware-accelerated ray tracing—yes, the kind of tech that makes light and shadows look realistic in games and 3D modeling. Too bad the Mac Mini M4 isn’t really a gaming rig, but hey, at least you can look at pretty reflections while you play “Candy Crush.”

But Wait, There’s More: M4 Pro Edition

For the truly power-hungry (we’re talking to the video editors, 3D modelers, and spreadsheet warriors out there), Apple offers the M4 Pro. With a 14-core CPU and up to 20-core GPU, you’ll be able to run multiple displays, render 4K video, and process data like a supercomputer—without, you know, needing an actual supercomputer.

Talking performance, new Standard M4 Mac min model is good enough to beat M2 Pro Mini in CPU/GPU testing, which is insane. It even costs $1000 less thatn M2 Pro Mac Mini.

Apple Intelligence: The Smartest Mac Yet

The new Mac mini is also smarter than ever, thanks to Apple Intelligence. Powered by Apple’s new Neural Engine, this artificial intelligence system helps optimize tasks, improve privacy, and provide a personalized experience for users.

But here’s the fun part: Apple Intelligence brings an entirely new set of tools to help you be more productive. From systemwide writing tools (like rewriting, summarizing, and proofreading your text) to a redesigned Siri that can now understand your personal context, this Mac mini is genuinely becoming your new digital assistant. Want to know how many hours you spent editing a video last week? Siri can tell you, and it’s even learned to be more conversational while doing so. You can now ask Siri to “show me the files I worked on yesterday” without feeling like you’re talking to a robot—because Siri will actually understand you.

And here’s a cherry on top: Apple Intelligence will soon integrate ChatGPT for even more enhanced capabilities. You’ll be able to access all of ChatGPT’s knowledge without needing to switch to a separate app or browser tab. It’s the kind of productivity boost you never knew you needed—until now.

A Design Like No Other… Or Maybe Just Slightly Different

Let’s be honest, when Apple says “design refresh,” you might envision some wild, futuristic transformation—perhaps a Mac mini with a holographic display that projects your documents into the air or a color-changing chassis that responds to your mood. Instead, what we got was a slightly smaller, slightly taller aluminum box, which is exactly what the world needed.

But hold your applause. The new Mac mini is not just a slightly underwhelming aesthetic tweak. The proportions have shifted, and now it looks more like a Mac Studio’s younger sibling—a bit squatter, a bit more compact. Gone are the days of the Mac mini looking like a miniaturized Mac Pro (the days of “hey, I could almost use this as a coaster” are over). This version, now a 5×5-inch footprint (down from 7.7×7.7), looks significantly more portable—if you were the kind of person who thought the old one was too big for your desk, then you’re in luck.

Ports Galore: No More Crawling Behind Your Desk

Raise your hand if you’ve ever cursed at your Mac Mini for its lack of front-facing ports. No? Just us? Well, guess what? Apple has finally listened, and there are two USB-C ports on the front now. Yes, front-facing USB-C ports.

We can finally plug in our thumb drives without performing a weird contortionist act behind the machine.

But wait, it gets better. The Mac Mini M4 doesn’t just offer a couple of USB-C ports—no, no—it comes with five USB-C ports in total, including Thunderbolt 4 (and even Thunderbolt 5 in the Pro version). That’s more ports than your last family reunion had awkward conversations.

Port Breakdown:

• 3 Thunderbolt 4 ports (on the back)
• 2 USB-C ports (on the front)
• HDMI Port (for your 4K TV… or third monitor setup)
• 3.5mm Headphone Jack
• Ethernet Port (with an upgrade option to 10Gb Ethernet)

This is a port lover’s dream. Whether you’re hooking up external storage, a 6K monitor, or a bunch of peripherals, the Mac Mini M4 has you covered.

Storage and Memory: Don’t Be a Hoarder, But Don’t Run Out of Space Either

The Mac Mini M4 comes with a respectable 16GB of unified memory—which, let’s be real, is probably more than you’ll ever need unless you’re compiling an entire database of cat videos.

But if you want to push the limits, you can upgrade to 64GB of RAM in the M4 Pro. As for storage? Well, you can go anywhere from a base 256GB SSD to a whopping 8TB SSD. That’s right, 8 terabytes. You could store your entire video collection of the Lord of the Rings trilogy in 4K, and still have space left for your Minecraft world.

Apple has shown some flexibility allowing user to upgrade the SSD on their own (but not without some technical know how.)

But here’s the catch: Apple charges an arm and a leg for upgrades. You want 512GB of storage? That’ll be an extra $200, thanks. The price of convenience is high, folks.

Thermal Performance: Cool Under Pressure (Unless You’re Really Mad)

Apple has re-engineered the thermal performance of the Mac Mini M4 to keep it cool under pressure. You won’t hear it whirring away like an old laptop trying to run Photoshop. The design channels air out through the base, keeping your machine from overheating during those “intensive” moments when you’re running Excel and Spotify at the same time.

However, if you’re expecting your Mac Mini M4 to handle the heat of a full-blown gaming session, you may want to think again. Sure, it’ll manage a few rounds of Fortnite, but don’t plan on setting up a LAN party with this thing.

Display Support: Triple the Fun (If You Can Afford It)

Want to hook up three monitors to your Mac Mini? Sure, why not! With Thunderbolt 4, the M4 can support three 4K displays simultaneously, or if you’re feeling really fancy, three 6K displays on the Pro model. That’s 60 million pixels of pure multitasking magic.

For creators, developers, or anyone who feels the need to have six open windows at once, this could be your new best friend. Apple’s making sure you never run out of screen real estate—whether you’re coding, editing videos, or arguing with your boss on Zoom.

The only catch? For the M4, the third display will either be capped at 5K (via Thunderbolt) or 4K (via HDMI). But for the M4 Pro, that third display will be just as crisp as the first two, all running at 6K 60Hz. So if you’re a digital artist or someone who uses your Mac mini as a workstation to process data from NASA, the M4 Pro is where the magic happens. For everyone else, two 4K monitors and a 5K monitor are probably more than enough.

Apple’s First Carbon-Neutral Mac Mini

Let’s talk about the environment for a moment. Apple has officially unveiled its first carbon-neutral Mac, and yes, we can feel the planet cheering. Apple has reduced the Mac mini’s carbon footprint by over 80% through the use of recycled materials, renewable energy for manufacturing, and a focus on low-carbon transportation.

The Mac mini is made with over 50% recycled content, including 100% recycled aluminum for the enclosure, 100% recycled gold in the circuit boards, and 100% recycled rare earth elements in the magnets. You can rest easy knowing that while you’re working at lightning speed, your Mac mini is doing its part to save the planet. So, take that, climate change deniers!

Even the packaging is made entirely from fiber-based materials, in line with Apple’s goal to eliminate plastic from packaging by 2025. Now, that’s what we call tech with a conscience.

Why You Might Want to Skip the Mac Mini M4 (Yes, We Said It)

The Power Button: An Exercise in Awkwardness

Apple, in their infinite wisdom, decided to place the power button on the underside of the Mac Mini. So, when you want to turn on your machine, prepare to lift the entire thing and press the button awkwardly. If you enjoy squatting and stretching while starting your computer, then this is the design for you.

Expensive Upgrades: Apple’s Premium Pricing Strikes Again

If you’ve ever tried to upgrade your Mac’s storage or memory, you know that Apple is notorious for charging a premium for these tweaks. It’s not cheap, and it might just make you reconsider if you really need that extra 512GB SSD or 64GB of RAM.

Not a Gaming Machine (Unless You Like Low FPS)

Apple will have you believe that the Mac Mini M4 is a gaming powerhouse. But let’s be real here: you’re not going to be playing “Cyberpunk 2077” at ultra-settings. If you’re a gamer looking for smooth 60fps gameplay, you might want to look elsewhere.

Final Verdict: Buy or Pass?

If you’re looking for a compact desktop with killer performance, plenty of ports, and the ability to handle everyday tasks as well as professional workloads, then the Mac Mini M4 is an excellent choice. It’s small, sleek, and offers impressive speed, all without breaking the bank—unless you’re upgrading it like crazy.

But if you’re looking for a gaming beast or you can’t stand Apple’s pricing, then you might want to keep looking.

So, should you buy it? If you need something that’s both functional and fun, and you don’t mind paying a little extra for those sweet upgrades, then yes, the Mac Mini M4 is definitely worth your time. Just don’t expect it to replace your Xbox anytime soon.