The M4 Mac mini is the Best Desktop You Can Buy Right Now!

That is a nice looking PC! I had thought about switching to a Mac computer a couple of years ago but a couple of people that I know that are taken enthusiast said stick with windows. One of them told me he did try a Mac computer when he was going to college and did not like macOS. He didn’t tell me why he hated macOS, but I believe he just didn’t want to Really give it a try. My parents still use windows on their computers.

The argument I hear a lot is it’s ok the new Mini doesn’t come with WiFi7 since very few are running a WiFi7 network. Is there some giant list of Thunderbolt 5 peripherals out there some of us don’t know about? Max out the config on a Mini and even MaxBook and look at the price. You’re still not getting the current WiFi7 spec.

The power button is in the wrong place

I’m coming over from a MS platform and just went all in with a mini mp4 pro. Man I hope this works.

Thunderbolt 5 isn't the selling point to me on the pro, it is the internal SSD in the pro having twice the speed as the base model.

Great review update.

For an equivalent mini pc you need to look at the amd strix line and those start at over $1000 but to match the storage and ram you need to upgrade the mac to over $1000 too. So its a good comparison. The base mac mini is a ridiculously good deal
For the money.

If Apple could get to the compatibility level of linux with proton for games then thats a game changer. They are still not there yet. Im hoping they get there. We need gaming to just work across all operrating systems and hardware. That benefits everyone.

Hopefully the arm nvidia rumors of them coming out with a pc arm soc push us there next year or the year after.

I had high hopes for windows on Arm.. 😢 then AMDs strix point... nothing from Intel and Nvidia, well I'm down to kidney.

Apple Arm it is!!!

Where is the iMac Pro!! guess next year?!..will Apple ever bring that back?!

Will be my first Mac ever, I’m so excited. Mine is arriving next week.

Yes it's a great little computer, but Apple wants to control what you can do with it via the upcoming newly enhanced Gatekeeper software. I don't think they can get away with restricting what software you can run on your computer but they sure are planning to.

The best Mac not the best Desktop . I use my ipad pro with a external display i wish they let us change the display resolution lol. Of course Apple excel in Geekbench but in cinebench it's closer to a 7800x which has only 8cores

Outside of gaming and some specific work software, nothing beats the M4 Pro Mac mini. Yes, even with it's bad power button location.

The regular M4 Mac Mini, including the student discount, does have some competition from the Geekom A8 around $700. Similar multi-core performance based on Cinebench R24. If someone were to spec up the M4 Mac Mini to 24 GB of RAM and 1 TB of external storage for $100( Samsung T9), it would be priced at $800.

False:

Amazon: Bosgame Mini PC, AMD Ryzen 7 7840HS, 32GB DDR5, 1TB PCIe4.0 SSD, Windows 11 Pro, 4x4K Display HDMI+DP, 2×USB4, 2x2.5G Dual LAN, WiFi 6, BT5.2

$540 after coupon

Mac Mini is 15% faster on single core, Mini PC is 15% faster on multi core.

PC Mini has twice the memory and 4 times the storage (both upgrade-able), 2 LAN ports both twice as fast, and supports one more display.

My employer buys hundreds of mac mini's a year whereas we install the LED signs used airports and entertainment venues. Mac Mini's power media engines for everything around you in ordinary places such as inside cash advance machines in the major casinos to drive marketing ads. We are looking forward to the smaller form factor and redesigned wireless antenna array.

MinisForum Venus Series. AMD Ryzen 9 7940HS w/ Radeon 780M Graphics, 500GB M.2 SSD, 32 GB RAM, 2 USB 4 ports up front, 4 USB ports in back and the same WiFi 6E. Would guess it's close to as fast as the Mini (I use it everyday for graphic design) and I paid less for it than the M4 Mac Mini (plus it's user upgradable). To say the MM is the BEST PC to buy is stretching things a bit. But then again, this is a Mac-Centric channel, so not too surprising.

Just ordered mini M4 base ... You did not mention Apple Intelligence, well no suprise as it's not very good (tried it on my M2).

I have a desktop Windows machine for gaming, but I just bought the mini. It fits on my desk with no issues, and now that monitors have more advanced switching capabilities, and keyboards come with both 2.4 and bluetooth, its super easy switching between them, and I don't even need a KVM switch.

Wide/Ultrawide with the Vision Pro n Mac mini is heaven

Have had three Mac mini's over the years. When I replaced my Late 2014 Apple 27-inch 5K iMac almost tosh of a coin M1 Apple Mac Mini or M1 Apple MacBook Air.

I went with Apple MacBook Air M1 chip with 8‑core CPU, 7‑core GPU, 16‑core Neural Engine, 16GB unified memory, 2TB SSD storage with 27-inch 5K LG display on black VESA desk mount arm. Now have extra monitor, and I can take it with me to places like Starbucks.

Can not say for sure that I replace my MacBook Air with another MacBook down the road. I would say the odds are that I will.

Are there any downsides to using an external SSD?

Will it affect performance and/or are there limitations on what macOS will allow on an external vs internal?

They should've released it in different colors. Imagine a Product Red Mini.

Im upgrading from My 2019 MacBook Air

ARM > x86
Unfortunately MAC is hell bent on telling it's users what they want and how they should use their systems and has insane barriers for software developers to put anything on their platform. They also are awful at making everything modular and compatible and make you pay significantly more for features that are default on the PC platform.

Hi can you
Connect or attached printing device with mini 4

Come on!

Does it really make a difference to the average user. Go with the cheapest options.

do people have internet fast enough to care about wifi 7? LOL

If you never heard about Geekom, Minisforum or other MiniPCs at the same form factor on Ryzen 9 8945hs, 32GB ram, 1Tb base models with the ability to connect up to four 8K monitors and have the ability to upgrade memory and storage for around the same price as the base 16GB 256GB M4 Mac Mini, then yes, it is the best descktop PC ¯⁠\⁠_⁠(⁠ツ⁠)⁠_⁠/⁠¯

Excellent review! How about an upcoming review with Parallel’s and AutoCAD for us PC users ready to switch? Cheers!

Hi I'm transitioning from a MacBook Pro to a desktop set up since I notice I never move my computer. Not sure to get the Mac mini + studio display combo or the new iMac? Could you share your thoughts? Thank you.

Can I plug it into my 4k tv?

That mac mini is sooo good in case for portability we can take it everywhere we are going and also has so much power in it it’s so amazing

Mac Mini blows away everyone. Apple Top Officials: shit, did we charge this thing too less, that's a hhuge mistake. Random Employee: Sir, at least we gave the Power Bottom at the bottom. Everyone Claps !!!

iPod Classic looks dope w/ that "Apple Music" Color Scheme

upgrading MAC mini is a ripoff but the base is a great deal .

$200 for 256 GB or 8 GB extra

$600 for 16 GB and 256 GB and M4 means apple prices the M4 for free according to their pricing .

i have never seen worst pricing strategy

if mac mini was a PC part the M4 would be a $400 upgrade and the the 256 storage and 16 GB ram would be free

$200 can buy 2000 GB gen 5 with 12400 MB\s on amazon
$200 can buy 96 GB DDR5 ram

Hi, do you know if it's possible to use my M1 iMac as a monitor, if I upgrade to the Mac Mini M4 thanks

audio is way to compressed

🔥

Hi! Would yo recommend a specific display for the basic Mac mini?? Or any good display would suffice?

Serious question: is it possible to connect together 2 or maybe more mac mini base models to get really high performances?

The new Mac Mini’s look great. Thanks for sharing.

Why didn't Apple include WI-FI 7 ??? That is what I am waiting for before I upgrade anything APPLE.

I think I'll hold off and wait for the Mac Mini 156.

You are seriously comparing an N95 to an M4 ? OMFG... Howsabout something more like the Beelink EQR6 Mini Business PC, AMD Ryzen 9 6900HX 8 Core 16 Thread Processor, 24G DDR5 RAM 500G PCIe4.0 SSD, which on Amazon currently has a £110 off voucher... so I can get the Windows machine for £369, a whole £230 less than the standard Mac Mini M4... now that is a fairer comparison... the N95?!?!?!?!?!?!... The M4 10 core still smokes the 6900HX but an N95?!?!?

Can you connect a Cinema Display with mini display port to the new Mac mini M4 ?

Breathe brother

i didn't get braided cable with apple india

I purchased the Mac Mini 512 GB yesterday with the small Magic Keyboard and Magic Mouse. It’s my first app,e computer. It’s replacing a Dell desktop that is 10 years old. I received a 10% discount for being a retired Federal Government employee. Do you think I need a Magic Trackpad too? Thanks. Love all your reviews.

The problem is always the monitor. Add a proper monitor (Which will always be a compromise in terms of resolution and sharpness, unless you buy the Apple display), a good keyboard, mice and speakers, then let's see where all this convenience lies in buying the Mac mini