Apple Mac mini (M4) review: the humble mini-PC remains Apple's greatest hit
Small but mighty, powerful but affordable, the latest Mac mini is Apple best value proposition, and everything most creatives will need on an everyday basis.
Apart from the lack of high-power discrete graphics, the Apple Mac mini (M4) might be as close to the perfect computer for most people as any computer can get. It's tiny, but packs enough power for any creative task outside 3D processing or heavy video renders, and unlike many Apple products, it offers great value for your money. Rival mini-PCs may be getting closer to the Mac mini, but the M4 version proves gap has only closed from a gulf to a chasm.
For
Great value for power
Super small
Excellent MacOS UX
Against
No discrete graphics
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The Apple Mac mini (M4) is the latest, and tiniest, addition to Apple's computer line-up (until the reported M5 models arrive, that is), and the reason we're excited about it not merely because many of the Creative Bloq team love the Mac mini, but rather that so many creatives all around the world have grown to appreciate and rely on Apple's pocket rocket for their work and hobbies.
The new Mac mini is sure to replace the previous model among the best computers for graphic design, but will it draw more PC users away from bulkier tower PCs (or underpowered laptops), or be a better alternative to the astronomically powerful (and expensive) Mac Studio? I think it just might.
• Extremely compact • 3 Thunderbolt 4 ports on back (Thunderbolt 5 on M4 Pro model)
The look of the Mac mini (M4) will not be a shocker to anyone who's seen any of the previous models. It comes in the same extremely compact form factor as before, measuring only 5 by 12.7 by 12.7 centimetres to easily slot onto any desk, however cramped or small it may be.
It's got the same silver colour as before, with the same aluminium exterior and polycarbonate top (which Apple assures us is now made from more consumer-recycled PCB than before).
On the front are two USB-C ports and a headphone jack, while the back hosts the power socket, an HDMI port, Ethernet port and three Thunderbolt 4 ports (or Thunderbolt 5 if you're getting the M4 Pro model).
It's lightweight at 670 grams too (730 for the M4 Pro) and so it's extremely portable. It's as sturdy as ever, but there are no innovations here. It will either look and feel reassuringly sturdy and familiar, or boringly samey, depending on your tech religion. For the big changes, you'll find those on the inside when you switch the little nugget on.
Design score: 4.5/5
(Image credit: Future / Erlingur Einarsson)
Features
• Base model has 16GB of RAM • Up to 8K video support
On the inside, we get the Apple-patented evolution over revolution, with a step up in processing memory the most immediate takeaway. Gradually (and finally) disposing of limp 8GB base models, the entry-level Mac mini has 16GB of RAM, with 24GB on the M4 Pro and configuration options up to a very impressive 64GB available for those willing to fork out the (considerable) upgrade cash.
Hard disk space begins at 256GB, with configuration options likewise available here, for up to 8TB of precious SSD real estate.
It supports up to three monitors this time, but with a spec proviso or two: two displays with up to 6K resolution at 60Hz over Thunderbolt and one display with up to 5K resolution at 60Hz over Thunderbolt or 4K resolution at 60Hz over HDMI. And if you have an 8K monitor, this max drops to two: one display with up to 5K resolution at 60Hz over Thunderbolt and one display with up to 8K resolution at 60Hz or 4K resolution at 240Hz over Thunderbolt or HDMI. It's an improvement from previous models, though, and the 60Hz refresh max is not a deal-breaker, as you were never getting a Mac mini for gaming or 3D processing anyway.
Of course, as with all mini-PCs, there's no screen attached here, so you'll have to sort that out yourself, but we'll help you find the best monitor for Mac mini, don't worry.
Feature score: 4.5/5
(Image credit: Future / Erlingur Einarsson)
Benchmark scores
Swipe to scroll horizontally
Header Cell - Column 0
Header Cell - Column 1
Apple Mac mini (M4)
GEEKBENCH 6
CPU Single-core:
3,724
Row 1 - Cell 0
CPU Multi-core:
14,982
Row 2 - Cell 0
GPU OpenCL:
37,914
CINEBENCH 2024
CPU single-core:
174
Row 4 - Cell 0
CPU multi-core:
951
Row 5 - Cell 0
GPU:
n/a
(Image credit: Future / Erlingur Einarsson)
Performance
• Sensational CPU performance • GPU performance good for integrated graphics
The CPU scores in Geekbench and Cinebench are among the best for any machine in the Mac mini's price range, so that alone qualifies it for a full house in this category. You are absolutely getting your money's worth with the M4 processor on board, and then some, with a little extra sprinkled on top of that. The Geekbench multi-core testing outdoes the Mac Studio M2, to give you just a little reference point as to how freakishly impressive this little machine is.
With the unified memory structure in the Mac, all app startup is really quick and stable too (as long as the software is stable *cough InDesign cough*)
Now, the Mac mini (M4) is not intended to be, or indeed sold as, a 3D/gaming machine, so the fact that the Geekbench GPU score is a relatively pedestrian 37,000 points should not be taken as a slight. For integrated graphics, this is a respectable score, and is more than enough for you to blitz through any photo-editing work or light video-editing and non-3D graphic design.
Performance score: 5/5
(Image credit: Future / Erlingur Einarsson)
Price
The Mac mini (M4) starts at a ridiculously affordable $/£599 before discounts, while the M4 Pro starts at $/£1,399 before adding configurable extras or upgrades. Of course, you can choose upgrades that put you well over $/£2,000 but I would say the $/£799 model offers the best out-of-the-box balance of value for money, and will be a desktop computer that can serve you well for several years.
Value score: 5/5
Who is it for?
• Photo editors and anyone with limited desk space
This is a perfect desktop computer for photo editors as well as graphic designers and video editors who won't need cutting-edge graphics performance. Do keep in mind though, that if you use CAD or AutoCAD software that you've made sure it's compatible with MacOS before pressing the order button
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Apple Mac mini (M4) score card
Attributes
Notes
Rating
Design:
Familiar, sturdy, extremely compact, just enough ports
4.5/5
Features:
Stock model well equipped with lots of configuration options
4.5/5
Performance:
Blistering CPU performance with good integrated graphics
5/5
Value:
Apple's best value product, hands down
5/5
(Image credit: Future / Erlingur Einarsson)
Buy it if...
You want a Mac that's actually affordable
You need a compact computer that can do pro-level work
You want the best mini-PC on the market
Don't buy it if...
You need 3D performance
You need something with a screen included
The Verdict
9.5
out of 10
Apple Mac mini (M4 2024)
Apart from the lack of high-power discrete graphics, the Apple Mac mini (M4) might be as close to the perfect computer for most people as any computer can get. It's tiny, but packs enough power for any creative task outside 3D processing or heavy video renders, and unlike many Apple products, it offers great value for your money. Rival mini-PCs may be getting closer to the Mac mini, but the M4 version proves gap has only closed from a gulf to a chasm.
Erlingur is the Tech Reviews Editor on Creative Bloq. Having worked on magazines devoted to Photoshop, films, history, and science for over 15 years, as well as working on Digital Camera World and Top Ten Reviews in more recent times, Erlingur has developed a passion for finding tech that helps people do their job, whatever it may be. He loves putting things to the test and seeing if they're all hyped up to be, to make sure people are getting what they're promised. Still can't get his wifi-only printer to connect to his computer.
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