Apple Unveils the New Mac mini with M4 Chips and a Compact Design That’s Smaller than a Smartphone
In a highly anticipated release, Apple unveiled the all-new Mac mini M4 on Tuesday (29), delivering significant upgrades to the compact computer that’s now smaller than ever before. On the second day of the Mac-related product announcements, the tech giant introduced the redesigned mini PC that combines cutting-edge power with a sleek form factor, featuring Apple’s latest M4 and M4 Pro processors, increased RAM for enhanced performance, and boosted connectivity with Thunderbolt 5.
An Innovative Design, Now Smaller Than a Smartphone
The new Mac mini’s standout feature is its design. At a compact 12.7 x 12.7 cm, the Mac mini M4 is now nearly smaller than a smartphone—making it an even more convenient choice for desktop users seeking a space-saving device. While the aluminum box retains Apple’s familiar style with its rounded corners, it offers a redefined footprint on the desk. For comparison, last year’s Mac mini was 19.7 x 19.7 cm, making the new M4 version a considerable size reduction. However, there is a slight increase in thickness, with the new version measuring 5 cm compared to 3.58 cm in the previous model.
Apple has also redesigned the internal cooling system to accommodate the compact form factor, a vital upgrade that keeps the high-performance components cool despite the reduced chassis. According to animations released by Apple, the cooling system now involves a split and stacked motherboard that cools down with airflow drawn in from the front of the device’s base and circulated across the interior before exiting from the rear. This advanced cooling mechanism is expected to maintain optimal performance even during intense tasks, making it suitable for professionals and creatives.
The Power of M4 and M4 Pro Chips
The major internal upgrade in the Mac mini M4 is the new Apple M4 chip, which has already impressed users in this year’s iPad Pro OLED. Produced by TSMC using a highly efficient 3-nanometer (N3E) process, the M4 chip is among the top processors on the market, delivering both power and efficiency. Standard models now come with 16 GB of RAM—another notable boost that supports Apple’s increasingly powerful suite of software, including the Apple Intelligence suite.
Apple’s higher-end model, the Mac mini M4 Pro, brings even more power. With up to 14 CPU cores—10 high-performance cores and 4 efficiency cores—the M4 Pro offers increased capability for professional users handling resource-intensive applications. It also comes with up to 20 GPU cores and supports up to 64 GB of RAM with a memory bandwidth of 273 GB/s, nearly double that of the previous M3 Pro. This makes the M4 Pro version a clear choice for users focused on high-level tasks, from 3D rendering and video editing to advanced data processing.
In terms of performance gains, Apple reports that the Mac mini M4 Pro outpaces the previous M2 line significantly. The company claims the M4 Pro offers 3D rendering in Blender up to 2.9 times faster, animation rendering in Motion up to twice as fast, and 80% more audio plugins in Logic Pro than with the M2 Pro. Given that the Mac mini skipped the M3 generation, these upgrades represent a major leap for Apple’s small but powerful desktop.
Enhanced Connectivity and Thunderbolt 5
Apple also invested in connectivity with the Mac mini M4 series. For the first time, two USB-C 3.1 ports and a 3.5 mm audio jack are located on the front of the device, making it easier for users to access frequently used connections. The back panel includes a 10 Gb Ethernet port, an HDMI port, and three Thunderbolt 4 ports. However, the M4 Pro variant ups the ante with the latest Thunderbolt 5, offering transfer speeds of up to 80 Gbps—twice the speed of Thunderbolt 4. Thunderbolt 5 also has a unique capability to combine three data lanes, reaching speeds of up to 120 Gbps, supporting high-performance peripherals like ultra-fast external SSDs.
Thunderbolt 5 also enables impressive display configurations, supporting up to one 4K monitor at 240 Hz, one 6K monitor at 60 Hz, or three 6K monitors at 60 Hz. This enhanced connectivity positions the M4 Pro Mac mini as an optimal choice for professionals working with multiple displays, high-resolution content, or intensive graphical applications.
While Thunderbolt 5 adoption has been limited—currently available on only one laptop, the Razer Blade 18 2024—the Mac mini M4 Pro takes Apple’s compact desktop into new territory for connection capabilities.
Additional Features, Price, and Availability
The Mac mini M4 also offers advanced Wi-Fi 6E, Bluetooth 5.3, and storage options ranging from 256 GB to 8 TB in SSD format, supporting Apple’s suite of artificial intelligence features through the Apple Intelligence software. The system even includes a built-in speaker, adding audio output convenience for users without external speakers.
Pre-orders for the Mac mini M4 opened on October 29, with shipments expected to begin on November 8. In the U.S., the M4 model starts at $599, while the M4 Pro model is priced at $1,399. Apple has confirmed that the device will be available in Brazil as well, with prices starting at R$7,499 for the M4 and R$16,999 for the M4 Pro.
With its combination of cutting-edge M4 chip technology, compact design, and enhanced connectivity, the new Mac mini M4 is set to make waves in the desktop computing space. Apple enthusiasts and professionals alike can look forward to a powerful yet space-efficient addition to their setups.
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