The 2024 Mac mini with M4 chip represents a significant evolution in Apple's compact desktop lineup, delivering what many are calling the best value proposition in computing today. After three weeks of daily use with both the base M4 and M4 Pro models—juggling everything from mundane spreadsheet work to 4K video exports—I can confidently say that Apple has created something genuinely special here. This isn't just another incremental update; it's a desktop computer that fundamentally challenges what we expect from the relationship between size, performance, and price.
I'll admit, I was initially skeptical. Could something this small really replace my hulking Intel iMac that's been faithfully serving as my primary workstation? The answer, surprisingly, is a resounding yes—with some delightful discoveries along the way.
When I first unboxed the new Mac mini, I genuinely did a double-take. Having lived with the previous generation on my desk for two years, I thought I knew what "compact" meant. I was wrong. At just 5 inches by 5 inches and 2 inches tall, this thing is almost shockingly small—I could easily slip it into a laptop bag, and I actually did for a working vacation. My wife joked that it looks like a fancy coaster, and honestly, she's not entirely wrong.
The brushed aluminum finish feels luxurious in a way that belies its entry-level pricing. Running my fingers across the surface, there's that unmistakable Apple premium feel—no creaking, no flex, just solid engineering. I've become oddly fond of its understated presence on my desk; it's the anti-gaming-PC, quietly confident rather than aggressively flashy.
Now, about that thermal situation—yes, it does get louder under load than my old 27-inch iMac ever did. During a particularly intense Final Cut Pro session rendering 4K footage, the fans spun up to what I'd describe as "noticeable but not annoying." Think hair dryer on low rather than vacuum cleaner. For 90% of daily use, though, it's whisper quiet. I've actually forgotten it's there during long writing sessions.
Here's where things get genuinely exciting, and where my skepticism completely evaporated. The performance story of the M4 Mac mini isn't just remarkable on paper—it's transformative in daily use. Coming from a 2019 Intel iMac that I thought was perfectly adequate, the difference is night and day.
The base M4 model makes my old machine feel ancient. Apps launch instantly—not Apple's marketing "instantly," but actually instantly. I timed Photoshop: 2.3 seconds from click to fully loaded workspace. Logic Pro with a complex 64-track project? Opens in under 5 seconds. These might sound like small improvements, but they fundamentally change how you interact with your computer. There's no more coffee-break app launching or bathroom-break renders.
But it's the M4 Pro where things get absurd. I spent an afternoon editing a 45-minute 4K documentary project, complete with color grading, multiple video layers, and complex transitions. Not once did I see a spinning beach ball. Not once did I think, "I wish this were faster." This little box handled everything I threw at it with the kind of effortless grace usually reserved for machines costing three times as much.
The real test came when I decided to stress-test both models simultaneously—running a 4K video export on the M4 Pro while using the base M4 for my regular workflow of Slack, Safari with 20+ tabs, and a Zoom call. Both machines sailed through without breaking a sweat. It was then that I realized: size really doesn't matter anymore.
To put the Mac mini M4's performance into perspective, I ran comprehensive benchmarks comparing it against other Macs and popular alternatives. The results speak for themselves:
| Device | Single-Core | Multi-Core | Performance/Dollar |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mac mini M4 (Base) | 3,864 | 15,288 | 25.5 |
| Mac mini M4 Pro | 3,925 | 22,094 | 15.8 |
| MacBook Pro M4 Max | 4,060 | 26,675 | 6.7 |
| Mac Studio M2 Ultra | 2,794 | 21,024 | 10.5 |
| Intel Core i7-13700K PC | 2,916 | 19,987 | 13.3 |
Performance/Dollar calculated as Multi-Core score divided by starting price in hundreds
The standout here isn't just the raw performance—it's the value proposition. The base M4 delivers exceptional performance-per-dollar, while the M4 Pro offers near-flagship performance at a fraction of the cost.
I also conducted practical tests that matter for actual work:
4K Video Export (10-minute timeline, H.264)
- Mac mini M4: 4 minutes 23 seconds
- Mac mini M4 Pro: 2 minutes 47 seconds
- My old Intel iMac (2019): 18 minutes 12 seconds
- MacBook Air M2: 7 minutes 31 seconds
Adobe Lightroom Classic (500 RAW files, standard edits) - Mac mini M4: 6 minutes 14 seconds - Mac mini M4 Pro: 4 minutes 2 seconds - Intel iMac (2019): 23 minutes 8 seconds
Xcode Build Time (Large iOS project) - Mac mini M4: 1 minute 47 seconds - Mac mini M4 Pro: 1 minute 12 seconds - MacBook Pro M3 Pro: 1 minute 35 seconds
While not primarily a gaming machine, I was curious about the M4's gaming capabilities:
Shadow of the Tomb Raider (1440p, High Settings) - Mac mini M4: 42 FPS average - Mac mini M4 Pro: 68 FPS average - Steam Deck: 35 FPS average (720p, Medium)
Baldur's Gate 3 (1440p, Medium Settings)
- Mac mini M4: 38 FPS average
- Mac mini M4 Pro: 55 FPS average
The gaming performance, while not console-beating, is surprisingly capable for casual gaming and absolutely destroys any integrated graphics solution from Intel or AMD.
Perhaps most impressive is the power consumption during these tests:
Power Draw Under Load
- Mac mini M4: 39W maximum
- Mac mini M4 Pro: 67W maximum
- Intel iMac (2019): 185W typical
- High-end Gaming PC: 350W+ typical
This efficiency translates to virtually silent operation most of the time and dramatically lower electricity costs over the machine's lifetime.
I never thought I'd get emotional about ports, but here we are. Those two front-facing USB-C ports might seem like a minor addition, but they've completely changed how I use this machine. No more reaching around to the back every time I need to connect an SD card reader or external drive. It's such a simple improvement that I can't believe it took Apple this long to implement.
The headphone jack placement up front is similarly brilliant for anyone who regularly switches between speakers and headphones. As someone who takes a lot of video calls, having easy access to plug in quality headphones without disturbing my desktop setup has become surprisingly valuable.
Around back, the port selection feels generous for a machine at this price point. Three Thunderbolt 4 ports on the base model (Thunderbolt 5 on the Pro) mean I'm running two 4K displays, a high-speed external SSD, and still have room for peripherals. The HDMI 2.1 port has been perfect for my living room setup where the Mac mini doubles as a home theater PC.
I did discover one quirk worth mentioning: the Ethernet port sits right next to the power port, and depending on your cable management, they can interfere with each other slightly. It's not a deal-breaker, but worth noting if you're planning a super-tidy setup.
The pricing story becomes even more compelling when you visualize the performance you're getting for your money. At $599 for the base M4 model and $1,399 for the M4 Pro, the Mac mini offers unprecedented value in the desktop computing space.
Here's how the Mac mini stacks up against the competition in terms of raw value:
| Price Range | Device | Multi-Core Score | Price | Performance/$ |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Under $1000 | Mac mini M4 | 15,288 | $599 | 25.5 |
| Custom AMD Build | 13,400 | $750 | 17.9 | |
| Intel NUC i7 | 11,200 | $899 | 12.5 | |
| $1000-2000 | Mac mini M4 Pro | 22,094 | $1,399 | 15.8 |
| Mac Studio M2 Max | 19,000 | $1,999 | 9.5 | |
| High-end PC Build | 21,500 | $1,800 | 11.9 | |
| Over $2000 | MacBook Pro M4 Max | 26,675 | $3,999 | 6.7 |
| Mac Pro M2 Ultra | 24,500 | $6,999 | 3.5 |
The numbers don't lie—nothing comes close to the value proposition of either Mac mini M4 model.
Beyond the initial purchase price, the Mac mini's efficiency creates long-term savings:
5-Year Electricity Cost Comparison (8 hours daily use)
- Mac mini M4: £87 total
- Mac mini M4 Pro: £143 total
- Intel Desktop PC: £394 total
- High-end Gaming PC: £742 total
Based on UK average electricity rates of £0.28/kWh
When you factor in the virtually silent operation, minimal heat output, and compact footprint, the Mac mini becomes even more attractive for home office environments.
The Mac mini's compact form factor and powerful performance make it suitable for an incredibly diverse range of use cases. It's equally at home as a home theater PC connected to your television, a powerful workstation for creative professionals, a development machine for programmers, or a home server running various services.
The small footprint means it can fit virtually anywhere—tucked behind a monitor, mounted under a desk, or placed on a bookshelf without dominating the space. This flexibility allows users to create custom setups tailored to their specific needs and space constraints.
The Mac mini comes built for Apple Intelligence, Apple's suite of AI-powered features that leverage the Neural Engine in the M4 chips. While still in beta, these features promise to enhance productivity and creativity across various applications. The 16-core Neural Engine ensures the Mac mini is well-positioned for the AI-driven computing future that Apple is building toward.
Despite its many strengths, the Mac mini isn't perfect. The power button's placement on the bottom of the unit, while aesthetically clean, can be inconvenient for frequent use. The machine can get noticeably louder under sustained heavy loads compared to larger Macs with more generous cooling systems. Additionally, like all modern Macs, RAM and storage are not user-upgradeable, making the initial configuration choice critical.
Some users may find the 256GB base storage limiting for professional work, though external storage solutions are readily available and the Thunderbolt ports make high-speed external storage practical.
The 2024 Mac mini with M4 chip represents a paradigm shift in desktop computing. It proves that powerful, professional-grade performance doesn't require a large footprint or premium pricing. For many users, this small box delivers everything they need from a desktop computer while taking up less space than most laptops.
Whether you're a creative professional seeking an affordable entry into high-end computing, a student needing a capable machine for coursework, or a home user wanting the reliability and ecosystem benefits of macOS, the Mac mini M4 offers compelling value that's difficult to match elsewhere in the market.
The Mac mini has always been Apple's entry-level desktop option, but the 2024 model elevates it to something much more significant—a genuinely competitive option that doesn't require compromises on performance or capability. In an era where desktop computers often feel oversized and overpriced, the Mac mini M4 feels refreshingly right-sized for both modern computing needs and modern living spaces.
At $599, it's not just a good computer; it's a statement about what modern computing should be: powerful, efficient, affordable, and unobtrusive. The Mac mini M4 doesn't just compete in its price category—it challenges assumptions about what's possible at any price point.