M4 Mac Mini: Everything We Know So Far

Released in 2023, the M2 Mac Mini is one of the best Macs for users who prefer a portable and capable desktop computer. Now, Apple is all set to release a new Mac Mini with a huge leap in performance, power, and efficiency. The Cupertino tech will ditch the M3 option and will jump from M2 to the flagship M4 chipset. It’s anticipated that the upcoming M4 Mac Mini will be the first-ever major redesign of Apple’s most compact desktop computer in the last 14 years. Thanks to the M4 processor, the upcoming Mini could redefine what a compact desktop computer can do. That means we might finally see a fresh-looking Mac Mini that feels more modern and aligns with consumers’ needs. Here’s everything we know about Apple’s upcoming M4 Mac Mini.

A More Compact Design

Apple hasn’t redesigned the Mac Mini for more than a decade now, with the current look dating all the way to 2010. Thankfully, this is gonna change soon. Apple will introduce the first-ever design refresh to the Mac Mini since the Steve Jobs era. Yes, Apple is all set to slim down the Mac Mini for a more compact and space-saving 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.

Processor

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 debuted with the iPad Pro launched in May 2024. This brand-new chip is built on a second-generation 3nm technology, which makes it more powerful and capable than its predecessors. The M4 chip offers 2x faster performance than the M2 and is claimed to be an outrageously powerful chip for AI.

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.

5 USB-C Ports

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.

However, Apple will remove the USB-A port to make way for the fifth USB-C port. That means you won’t be able to use your USB-A accessories without a compatible adapter. At the moment, it’s unclear what Apple will do to the additional ports. Apple might try to ditch the HDMI port, as it did with the MacBook Pro in 2016, but that move was extremely unpopular. So, they had to reintroduce the basic ports like HDMI and card readers on MacBook Pro in 2021.

Storage and Memory

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.

Performance Upgrades & Additional Features

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.

M4 Mac Mini Price Prediction

The previous rumor mill suggested a late 2024 or early 2025 release date for the M4 Mac Mini. A recent report from Mark Gurman indicates that Apple might launch the M4 Mac mini in October 2024, alongside the M4 MacBook Pros and M4 iMac. Also, Apple has a history of refreshing its Mac hardware in the fall, around October or November.

So, the October release date falls in line with the past history. Indeed, Gurman mentioned that most of the M4 Macs have already started shipping from the factories. The only exceptions are high-end MacBook Pros and Mac Mini with M4 Pro. He also believes that M4 MacBook Air is scheduled for Q1 2025 and a new Mac Studio will arrive in the middle of 2025. Whereas, the new Mac Pro will make its debut before the end of 2025.

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!