This diminutive device, refreshed alongside other Mac products in a flurry of late-October press releases, is more than just an upgrade—it’s a redefinition of what desktop computing can be. Here, we dive into the key highlights, from its groundbreaking size to its impressive performance and value.
A Design Revolution: Smaller Than Ever
The first thing that catches your attention about the new Mac Mini is its size. With a footprint of just 5 inches by 5 inches and a height of 2 inches, this is one of the smallest desktop computers Apple has ever made. In fact, it’s:
Smaller than a roll of duct tape
Smaller than a camera with a lens attached
Smaller than the new iPhone’s footprint
This redesign makes the Mac Mini look more like a scaled-down version of the Mac Studio than its predecessors.
Despite its size, the Mac Mini packs in all the essentials and more. The ports on the back include:
Gigabit Ethernet
Full-size HDMI
Three Thunderbolt ports
Two USB-C 3 ports
A headphone jack
However, the device does away with USB-A and still lacks an SD card reader, decisions that might polarize some users.
One quirky design choice stands out: the power button is located on the bottom. While this decision might invite criticism, it’s unlikely to impact everyday usability significantly, as most users rarely need to access the power button directly.
Get Mailbird, the Best Email App for Windows
Performance and Efficiency: Powered by the M4 Chip
At the heart of the Mac Mini M4 lies the latest Apple silicon chip, which brings remarkable improvements in power and efficiency. The base model comes equipped with:
A 10-core CPU
A 10-core GPU
16GB of unified memory (double the memory of its predecessor at the same entry price)
The M4 chip delivers a significant performance leap over earlier generations, particularly when compared to the Intel-based models of the past. For everyday tasks like:
Web browsing
Multitasking
Media streaming
The M4 chip excels. It also handles medium-grade activities like:
Coding
Photo editing
Moderate video editing
However, it may not be the best choice for graphically intensive gaming or heavy-duty video editing.
Synthetic benchmarks reveal the M4’s prowess:
The highest single-core performance score of any Mac to date
Tops multi-core scores on Geekbench, surpassing even models like the Mac Pro and Mac Studio in certain scenarios
Unbeatable Value: The Base Model Shines
Perhaps the most astonishing aspect of the Mac Mini M4 is its dubai email list price. At $599, the base model represents one of the best deals in tech today. Students with a .edu email address can snag it for an even more impressive $499. For this price, you get a compact powerhouse capable of handling most everyday and professional tasks.
The value becomes even more apparent when compared to Apple’s other offerings:
The refreshed M4 iMac features similar internal components but starts at $1,299.
By opting for the Mac Mini, users can save $700 and invest in a display of their choice.
However, potential buyers should approach upgrades with caution. Apple’s pricing for additional storage and features like 10-gigabit Ethernet can quickly inflate the cost.
Mac Mini M4 Review
-
- Posts: 295
- Joined: Sun Dec 22, 2024 3:51 am