Apple continued its week of announcements with the release of a new compact Mac Mini computer with the M4 chip. Previous rumors have been confirmed – the minimalist Mac has become even smaller.
The new Mac Mini M4 supports ray tracing for the first time and comes with 16 GB of RAM in the base version. However, it is offered in two versions that differ in processor. The base version with the M4 chip has 10 computing cores, 10 GPU cores, and up to 32 GB of RAM. Meanwhile, the M4 Pro processor-based system delivers higher performance with 12 or 14 CPU cores, 16 or 20 GPU cores, and up to 64 GB of RAM. Storage reaches a whopping 8 TB.
The Mac Mini is now just 5 inches (127 mm) long and wide. The M4 efficiency and «innovative thermal architecture, which directs air to different levels of the system while all ventilation is provided through the» leg, have made it possible to provide ample cooling in such a compact package.
Despite its compact size, the device has all the necessary interfaces: the front panel has two USB-C ports and a 3.5mm audio jack; the back has Ethernet, HDMI, and three USB-C/Thunderbolt ports. USB-A ports are a thing of the past. The predecessor had only two Thunderbolt 4 ports and two USB-A ports. With the M4, you get a total of five ports – you lose USB-A, but you gain an additional Thunderbolt port.
It’s worth noting that the speed of these Thunderbolt ports will vary depending on the M4 processor you choose. The regular M4 chip offers Thunderbolt 4, while the M4 Pro offers the highest bandwidth Thunderbolt 5. 10 Gigabit Ethernet remains an optional upgrade for those who need it.
Despite the performance gains and increased interfaces, the base Mac Mini M4 is still priced at $599. The version with the M4 Pro chip costs from $1399. And if choose the most powerful version of the processor, maximum memory and 10-gigabit Ethernet, this baby will cost $4699.