The new Apple Mac mini, launched on October 29, 2024, brings substantial changes with its M4 and M4 Pro chips alongside a dramatically smaller 5×5-inch footprint. Let’s examine the technical specifications, performance metrics, and real-world implications.
Core Specifications and Design
- Dimensions: 5×5 inches, 2 inches tall (similar to Apple TV 4K’s footprint)
- Processor Options:
- M4: 10-core CPU (4 performance, 6 efficiency), 10-core GPU
- M4 Pro: 14-core CPU (10 performance, 4 efficiency), 20-core GPU
- Base Memory: 16GB unified memory (standard across all configurations)
- Storage Options: Starting at 256GB, configurable up to 2TB
- Starting Price: $599 (M4), $1,399 (M4 Pro)
Port Configuration
Front Ports:
- 2x USB-C ports (USB 3 support)
- 3.5mm audio jack with high-impedance headphone support
Rear Ports:
- M4 model: 3x Thunderbolt 4 ports
- M4 Pro model: 3x Thunderbolt 5 ports (120 Gb/s)
- HDMI 2.1 (supports 8K 60Hz or 4K 240Hz)
- Gigabit Ethernet (configurable to 10Gb)
Performance Metrics
Benchmark results for M4 Pro configuration:
- Geekbench 6 Single-core: 3,996
- Geekbench 6 Multi-core: 23275
- Cinebench 2024 Single-core: 172
- Cinebench 2024 Multi-core: 1,660
- GPU Score: 8,953
Gaming Performance:
- 1440p with max settings: 60fps in modern titles.
- 4K with medium settings: ~30fps.
- 13.3x faster gaming performance.
Technical Improvements
Thermal Design:
- Bottom intake fan system
- Integrated power supply
- Quiet operation during normal use
- Audible fan noise under heavy workloads in high-power mode
Performance Gains:
- 1.8x faster CPU performance vs M1
- 2.2x faster GPU performance vs M1
- First Mac with Thunderbolt 5 support (M4 Pro model)
Similar POsts
Expert Analysis
Tech enthusiasts have praised the new Mac mini for its portability, noting its significant size reduction paired with a remarkable boost in performance.
John Ternus, Apple’s Senior Vice President of Hardware Engineering, stated:
“I love the fact you can think about it in terms of performance per cubic centimeter, right? I mean, I think it’s just a new bar for that in terms of what both the silicon’s accomplished and what the new thermal designs accomplished to put that much performance in that tiny little thing. I think it is just so cool.”
Greg Joswiak, Apple’s Senior Vice President of Marketing, remarked that people were astonished by how incredible the product is. Its power and compact size left many in awe. Even though it looked impressive in videos, seeing it in person elicited reactions of disbelief, with many exclaiming, “Oh my God.” The overall reaction was overwhelmingly positive and enthusiastic.
Environmental Impact
- First carbon-neutral Mac
- 80% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions
- Built with recycled materials:
- Aluminum enclosure
- Rare earth elements
- Tin soldering
Configuration Options and Pricing
Base M4 Model ($599):
- 10-core CPU
- 10-core GPU
- 16GB unified memory
- 256GB storage
Base M4 Pro Model ($1,399):
- 14-core CPU
- 20-core GPU
- 24GB unified memory
- 512GB storage
Memory upgrade pricing:
- 16GB to 24GB: +$200
- 16GB to 32GB: +$400
- 24GB to 48GB (M4 Pro): +$400
- 24GB to 64GB (M4 Pro): +$600
Storage upgrade pricing:
- 256GB to 512GB: +$200
- 256GB to 1TB: +$400
- Additional increments available
Real-world Performance
AI Workload Example:
- Whisper Transcription 1 hour 9 minute audio:
- M4 Pro Mac mini: 2 minutes 9 seconds
- M4 MacBook Pro: 3 minutes 3 seconds
- M3 MacBook Pro: 3 minutes 37 seconds
The new Mac mini represents a significant technical achievement in miniaturization while maintaining professional-grade performance. The M4 and M4 Pro chips deliver substantial improvements in both CPU and GPU capabilities, though the upgrade pricing structure remains a consideration for users requiring more memory or storage.
