With the new chips, the Mac mini offers significant power boosts over its predecessors, while introducing groundbreaking innovations in personal computing. At just 5 by 5 inches, the compact form factor is even smaller than previous models, but it packs more power and versatility, making it an ideal choice for users across a range of industries, from creative professionals to small business owners and students.
The M4 Chip
With the M4 chip, users can expect up to 1.8x faster CPU and 2.2x faster GPU performance compared to the M1 model, bringing major improvements to everyday tasks, multitasking, and creative projects such as video editing, music production, and software development. For users seeking even greater performance, the M4 Pro chip scales these capabilities further with its 14-core CPU and 20-core GPU, offering twice the graphical power of the M4. This makes the M4 Pro-equipped Mac mini a powerhouse for demanding workloads such as 3D rendering, complex video editing, and AI-driven processes, thanks to its 3x faster Neural Engine compared to the M1 model.
Thermal Architecture
Apple has also redesigned the Mac mini’s thermal architecture, making it more power-efficient and capable of handling the intense performance provided by Apple silicon, all while keeping the system cool. The innovative thermal design uses airflow management that circulates air within the system, with all venting done through the foot, ensuring minimal impact on the device’s form factor.
Big Performance
In terms of performance, Apple claims that the new Mac mini, despite being smaller than ever, is up to 6x faster than the best-selling PC desktop in its price range, while being only a fraction of its size. This makes the Mac mini not just a great option for its compactness, but also for its ability to outperform many larger, traditional desktops. When compared to the previous Intel Core i7 Mac mini, the new model with M4 offers a 2.8x improvement in audio plugin processing, 13.3x faster gaming performance in titles like World of Warcraft: The War Within, and 33x faster image upscaling in popular editing apps like Photomator. Compared to the M1 Mac mini, users can expect faster processing in tasks such as spreadsheet calculations in Excel, AI speech-to-text transcription with MacWhisper, and image stitching in Adobe Lightroom Classic.
For even more demanding users, the M4 Pro chip delivers incredible gains. It offers 4x faster spreadsheet performance, 9.4x faster video editing in Adobe Premiere Pro, and a stunning 26x faster DNA sequencing processing in specialized applications like Oxford Nanopore’s MinKNOW. Compared to the M2 Pro Mac mini, the M4 Pro version allows users to apply 1.8x more audio effects in Logic Pro, render motion graphics 2x faster in Motion, and complete 3D renders in Blender at 2.9x faster speeds. This makes the new Mac mini a true powerhouse for professionals requiring top-tier performance.
Advanced Connectivity
The new Mac mini also features upgraded connectivity, with front and back ports designed for convenience. The M4 model includes three Thunderbolt 4 ports, while the M4 Pro offers the new Thunderbolt 5, which more than doubles the data transfer speeds of Thunderbolt 4, with up to 120 Gb/s throughput. This is ideal for users needing high-speed data transfers, such as video editors working with large files or creators moving large assets. The device also includes Gigabit Ethernet (with an option for 10Gb Ethernet), an HDMI port for easy TV or display connection, and support for multiple high-resolution displays — up to two 6K displays and one 5K display with the M4, and up to three 6K displays with the M4 Pro.
Apple Intelligence & macOS Sequoia
The new Mac mini is also built for the future with the introduction of Apple Intelligence, a personal AI system that changes the way users interact with their computers. This system is powered by Apple’s advanced Neural Engine, harnessing the computing power of Apple silicon to unlock new levels of productivity, creativity, and privacy protection. With features like Writing Tools, users can rewrite, proofread, and summarize text across a variety of apps, while the redesigned Siri allows for more dynamic voice and typed interactions. Siri can now answer detailed questions about Apple products and handle complex, personalized tasks using contextual information. Additionally, features such as Image Playground, for generating creative images, and Genmoji, for crafting custom emojis, make the Mac mini an even more versatile tool for expression and communication.
In an exciting upcoming development, ChatGPT integration will arrive in December, allowing users to seamlessly access OpenAI’s generative AI expertise without switching between apps. This integration will work alongside Apple’s on-device AI processing and Private Cloud Compute, ensuring that user privacy is safeguarded while accessing powerful generative models. The privacy-first approach ensures that personal information is protected, with IP obfuscation and no storage of user requests by OpenAI. Users will also be able to use ChatGPT for free without needing to create an account, or they can link their OpenAI account to leverage additional features.
Apple’s First Carbon-Neutral Mac
A significant milestone with the release of the new Mac mini is its environmental impact. The new Mac mini is Apple’s first-ever carbon-neutral Mac, marking a major step in the company’s Apple 2030 commitment to make its entire supply chain carbon neutral by the end of the decade. This model boasts an over 80% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions, achieved through the use of over 50% recycled materials, including 100% recycled aluminum in the enclosure, 100% recycled rare earth elements in magnets, and 100% recycled gold plating in circuit boards.
In its efforts to minimize the Mac mini’s carbon footprint, Apple is powering all manufacturing with 100% renewable energy and investing in clean energy projects to offset the electricity used by consumers. The company is also using ocean freight and other low-carbon transportation methods to reduce emissions further. Packaging for the Mac mini is now entirely fiber-based, eliminating the use of plastics, in line with Apple’s broader goals to make all packaging plastic-free by 2025.
When Will the new Mac mini be available?
The new Mac mini with the M4 chip starts at $599 (or $499 for education), and the M4 Pro model starts at $1,399 (or $1,299 for education). Both are available for pre-order starting today and will begin shipping on November 8. Additionally, Apple has launched new USB-C Magic Keyboard, Magic Trackpad, and Magic Mouse accessories alongside the Mac mini.
With these innovations, Apple is setting a new benchmark for compact desktop computing, blending cutting-edge technology, personal intelligence, and environmental responsibility into one powerful device.
