M4 Mac Mini: Everything We Know So Far

Oct. 1, 2024

A More Compact Design

According to Mark Gurman, the upcoming Mac Mini will be Apple’s smallest-ever desktop computer, which will be so compact that it will almost be around the size of the Apple TV. That means the upcoming Mac Mini might feature sleek and minimal aesthetics like the Apple TV. For reference, the dimensions of the M2 Mac Mini are 197 x 197 x 35.8 mm. Whereas, the Apple TV 4K is more sleek and compact sitting at 93 x 93 x 31 mm.

Although the M4 Mac Mini is likely to have an Apple TV-like footprint, the Mini‌ is expected to be slightly taller than the current ‌Mac Mini‌. The M2 Mac Mini is 1.4 inches tall, which is fairly short in height. So, a slight increase in height shouldn’t affect overall portability. Despite the reduced size, the M4 Mac Mini is anticipated to deliver an improved thermal performance. There are rumors that Apple is actively working on ways to enhance cooling efficiency so the machine can maintain optimal performance without a fan. This will not only allow for a quieter performance but also make the Mini capable enough to handle demanding tasks without throwing overheating problems.

The prime highlight of the upcoming Mac Mini will be the inclusion of the M4 processor, the latest in the lineup of Apple’s custom Silicon. The new Mac Mini will be introduced in vanilla M4 and flagship M4 Pro versions, with Apple skipping the M3 series entirely. This will allow for improved performance and enhanced power efficiency.

The M4 chip features a 10-core CPU with ML accelerators and a 10-core GPU with ray-tracing capabilities. There’s also an M4 variant with a 9-core CPU, but it’s speculated that Apple won’t use it for ‌the Mac mini‌, instead, we might see it in an iPad Pro‌ and a future MacBook Air. The M4 chip also has a more advanced 16-core Neural Engine along with ML accelerators, which makes the chip a powerhouse for AI tasks. At the moment, there are no concrete details on the M4 Pro processor, but users will certainly have a choice of CPU (like the current model). All in all, we can expect a faster performance and improved efficiency, which is critical for a compact machine like Mini.

The current M2 Mac Mini packs four USB-C ports and two USB-A ports along with an HDMI, a headphone jack, and Gigabit Ethernet. According to Mark Gurman and a few other sources, the upgraded M4 Mac Mini is likely to arrive with five USB-C ports, which seems to be an improvement.

Gurman also mentioned that just like the Mac Studio, two of the USB-C ports will sit in the front of the new Mac mini. Also, at least some of these USB-C ports should be Thunderbolt 4 ports. If this turns out to be true, Thunderbolt 4 will allow for faster 40Gbps data transfer rates and support for dual 6K displays, which would make the M4 Mac Mini a top choice for users who have to work with high-end accessories and multiple displays.

The new Mac Mini is expected to mark an entry with multiple storage and memory configurations. The M4 Mini might start with 16GB of RAM, instead of the 8GB, which would be in move to support Apple Intelligence features. The RAM options might go up to 32GB or even 64GB to serve power users. Talking about the storage options, the base model might come in 256GB, with the maxed-out variant going all the way up to 2TB, providing comprehensive storage for all your files and applications.

With the M4 processor onboard, the upcoming Mac Mini is bound to deliver a significant performance boost over its predecessors. We can expect it to offer faster processing speeds, which can easily handle everything from everyday tasks to more demanding computing like video editing, 3D rendering, and more. The improved 10-core GPU would also serve as an invaluable addition for gamers and creative professionals who crave high-quality graphics. Since the M4 chip is designed for AI, the new Mac Mini M4 would make a solid option for machine learning and AI enthusiasts. It seems the Mac Mini is shaping up to be one of the finest compact machines from Apple.

At the moment, there are no clues of how much the M4 Mac Mini would cost. However, Gurman once mentioned that the new Mac Mini “may be cheaper to make”. That means we might see an affordable Mini.

However, given the AI features and improved RAM, we can’t rule out the possibility that the M4 Mac Mini might have a similar or even higher starting price than the M2 Mac Mini.

That’s all we know about the M4 Mac Mini. Considering all the rumors and leaks, the upcoming Mini seems to ideal option for professionals and creatives who need a powerful yet space-saving desktop computer. We’ll update this piece as new leaks pile up in the coming weeks. Stay tuned!