Mac

Mac Mini M4 (2025) Review: Why you should buy it?

Explore the Mac Mini M4: a small, powerful, energy-efficient device that’s perfect for both personal and professional use, offering excellent performance.

Published

14 hours ago

July 7, 2025

Shahbaz Ashraf

The Mac mini M4 has now been released, offering notable enhancements. Its completely redesigned look gives it a fresh new style, while it’s also even smaller and more streamlined than before, making it a perfect space-saver. You’ll enjoy improved speed thanks to Apple’s M4 chip, and the base version now comes with 16GB of RAM as standard, giving it more power right out of the box. These significant upgrades make the Mac mini M4 stand out as one of the top mini PCs today, especially for those who love using macOS over Windows.

Nevertheless, not everyone may be satisfied with the modifications Apple has implemented in the new Mac mini. Whether you’re contemplating an upgrade from the Mac mini M2 or considering your initial purchase of a Mac or mini PC, this document provides comprehensive information about the Mac mini M4. Additionally, it presents four reasons to consider acquiring one, as well as three reasons that might justify opting for an alternative to Apple’s latest Mac.

Table of Contents

Mini M4: Specs

	Mac mini M4 16GB, 256GB SSD	Mac mini M4 Pro 24GB, 512GB SSD
Price	$599	$1,399
Processor	Apple M4 (10-core)	Apple M4 Pro (12-core
GPU	Integrated 10-core GPU	Integrated 16-core GPU
RAM	16GB unified memory	24GB unified memory
Storage	256GB SSD	512GB SSD
Ports	2x USB-C, 3x Thunderbolt 4 (USB-C), HDMI, 3.5mm headphone jack, Ethernet	2x USB-C, 3x Thunderbolt 4 (USB-C), HDMI, 3.5mm headphone jack, Ethernet
Connectivity	Wi-Fi 6e (802.11ax), Bluetooth 5.3	Wi-Fi 6e (802.11ax), Bluetooth 5.3
Weight	1.5 lbs (0.67kg)	2.6 lbs (1.6kg)
Size	2 x 5 x 5 inches (50 x 127 x 127mm)	2 x 5 x 5 inches (50 x 127 x 127mm)

Mini M4: Design

The Mac mini (M4, 2024) has been redesigned in its most significant way since perhaps 2011, and it’s now proudly called Apple’s “smallest computer ever.”

The new Mac mini (M4, 2024) measures just 127 x 127 x 50 mm, making it significantly smaller than the previous model, which was 197 x 197 x 35.8 mm. It’s remarkably compact when removed from the box, easily fitting in the palm of your hand. When placed on top of the M2 model, the older Mac mini appears large and bulky—something I never expected, considering its original size.

The latest Mac mini is marginally taller than its predecessors; however, if this adjustment is the cost of diminishing its overall dimensions while incorporating the most recent technological advancements, I find it acceptable. It seamlessly fits behind a monitor and remains unobtrusive even when positioned in front of a screen, rendering it scarcely noticeable.

Mini M4: Ports

In addition to its reduced size, Apple introduced a significant redesign change to the Mac mini M4: it now includes front ports. Previously, only the Mac Studio had front ports, whereas the Mac mini was limited to rear ports. This required reaching behind the device to connect devices like the latest iPhones or wired headphones.

At the front of the Mac mini M4, there are two USB-C ports, one headphone jack, and one small white power LED adjacent to it. Although these front ports do not support connection to external displays, they are ideal for charging peripherals such as keyboards, mice, or other devices. The inclusion of an audio jack at the front is convenient for headphones but may not be optimal for high-quality computer speakers.

At the back, you’ll find a convenient power port—remarkably small but doesn’t need a bulky external power supply—along with an Ethernet port and an HDMI port that supports impressive visuals, up to 8K at 60Hz or 4K at 240Hz.

The device is equipped with three supplementary USB-C ports. While the front USB-C ports support USB 3 speeds of up to 10Gb/s, the three rear ports offer substantially faster data transfer rates. The M4 model includes Thunderbolt 4 technology on its rear ports, enabling data transfer rates of up to 40 GB/s. Selecting the M4 Pro model provides an upgrade to Thunderbolt 5, which supports speeds of up to 120Gb/s.

Mini M4: Overall Performance

Apple’s shift from Intel to its own chips, starting with the M1 in 2020, has largely dispelled my doubts. Each major Mac has been upgraded with an M-series chip and received significant redesigns, demonstrating Apple’s commitment to its Mac lineup. It is very reassuring that the Mac mini now features the latest M4 and M4 Pro chips, along with a major redesign. This is especially important because the Mac mini is one of Apple’s more specialized products.

The M4 chip includes a powerful 10-core CPU and GPU, with a total of 28 billion transistors—an impressive jump from the 25 billion in the previous version M3. However, since both are manufactured using TSMC’s 3nm process, a major upgrade seems unlikely.

CPU Performance Benchmark

	M2	M4
Geekbench 6.3 single-core	2600	3838
Geekbench 6.3 multi-core	10066	14838

As demonstrated in the preceding table, the latest Mac mini equipped with Apple’s M4 chip attained markedly superior scores in both the single-core and multi-core Geekbench 6 benchmarks. However, for those seeking additional performance, more RAM, and a bigger SSD, upgrading to the Mac mini M4 Pro base model is an option.

The most notable difference between the M3 and M4 Mac minis lies in AI capabilities, covering both artificial intelligence and Apple’s Own Intelligence. The M4 comes equipped with an extra 16-core Neural Engine, specially designed to handle machine learning and AI tasks efficiently. In AI benchmarks, it delivers impressive results, demonstrating roughly a 35% performance boost over the M3.

The potential of Apple Intelligence, or artificial intelligence broadly speaking, to catalyze the anticipated computing revolution remains to be confirmed. Nonetheless, it is certain that purchasing an M4 Mac mini or any M4 device positions you favorably for future deployment of AI tools.

The model I’m sharing today is the Mac mini powered by the M4 chip, equipped with 16GB of unified memory, and a 512GB SSD. For everyday activities like writing this review, browsing the web, and handling simple admin tasks, it performed wonderfully. The macOS Sequoia operating system started up swiftly, and all the apps I used opened quickly and ran seamlessly.

Mini M4: Drawbacks

Position of Power Button

The antecedent models of the Mac mini were equipped with a power button located on the rear right side. In contrast, the latest Mac mini M4 positions the power button on the underside. A minor gap is present between the base of the casing and the cooling fan; however, it is sufficiently narrow to prevent the insertion of a finger. Therefore, it is necessary to lift the Mac mini M4 to activate it.

This situation is quite atypical for Apple; however, this adjustment was essential due to the reduced size of the Mac mini M4. If you usually turn off your computer at the end of each day, you might find it helpful to get used to putting it into sleep mode instead. It’s a simple change that can make your daily routine a bit more convenient. It took me some time to adapt, but after approximately one week, I was able to acclimate to this new practice.

If the placement of the power button on the Mac mini M4 is a determining factor for you, please be assured that alternative solutions are currently in development. For instance, the 3D printing community has designed a prototype enabling users to activate the device without lifting it. Additionally, likely, Mac accessory manufacturers are already working on solutions to address this concern.

Expensive Upgrades

The Mac mini M4 comes with 16GB of RAM, doubling the 8GB found in the base model. However, it only has a 256GB SSD, whereas the Mac mini M4 Pro features a 512GB SSD. To address these storage restrictions, you can use an external SSD or opt for iCloud storage.

Apple has maintained its upgrade prices for RAM and storage. Upgrading to the next tier on the Mac mini M4 costs $200 for both RAM and storage. The Mac mini M4 Pro is more expensive to upgrade because its RAM and storage increases are larger at each tier. Additionally, upgrading from a gigabit Ethernet port to a 10-gigabit port costs $100 on either model.

Since Apple has increased the minimum RAM for the base Mac mini M4, many users may not perceive the necessity to upgrade as often as they did with the preceding model. Nonetheless, it is vital to evaluate your individual workload and requirements prior to selecting between the Mac mini M4 and M4 Pro.

Mini M4: Verdict

The Mac mini M4 represents a substantial improvement over its predecessor, owing to Apple’s M4 chips and the increase in memory capacity in the base model. It is also among the most aesthetically appealing Macs to date and occupies less space on your desk. The new front ports are a valuable enhancement, making the Mac mini M4 more user-friendly, albeit requiring the device to be lifted from your desk to power it on.

If you are transitioning from a Mac mini M2 or an earlier Mac mini M1, upgrading to this new model will provide a considerable performance enhancement. Alternatively, suppose you have been considering acquiring the previous version at a reduced price now that the Mac mini M4 is available. In that case, I recommend investing a bit more in this latest model.

With a significant upgrade and complete redesign, the Mac mini raises expectations about Apple’s upcoming plans for the Mac Studio. For users engaged in photo editing, video editing, or other intensive tasks, it is advisable to postpone purchasing a Mac mini M4 in favor of waiting for the next iteration of the Mac Studio.

For most users, the Mac mini M4 ranks among the top mini PCs currently available, particularly those who prefer to stick with macOS rather than switch to Windows.

Mac

Mac Studio M4 Max: A Powerful Tool for Your Workflow

The 2025 Mac Studio M4 is the most powerful Mac desktop yet, offering excellent CPU performance and support for Thunderbolt 5 while staying cool and quiet.

Published

2 days ago

July 6, 2025

Shahbaz Ashraf

The Apple Mac Studio M4 Max (priced at $1,999) is the new entry-level model for 2025, continuing the product line’s tradition of providing powerful performance in a compact design.

These small, silver cases are significant because purchasing a Studio is the only way to obtain a machine with Apple’s Ultra chips, the most potent part of Mac silicon available today.

Apple is introducing the Mac Studio with two processor options for the first time. The $1,999 base model features the M4 Max, while the higher-end version, priced at $3,999, is equipped with the M3 Ultra.

Although the Mac Studio M3 Ultra offers greater technical power than the M4 Max, it’s unclear if spending an extra $2,000 is worthwhile. Prior to the release of these Macs, reports suggested that the $3,999 M3 Ultra Mac only marginally outperformed the $1,999 M4 Max in leaked benchmarks. Based on our testing of the Mac Studio M4 Max review unit, I am inclined to accept those reports, as our Mac even surpassed early leaks during our evaluations.

Table of Contents

Mac M4: Specs

	Basic Configuration	Reviewed Configuration
Price	$1,999	$3,699
CPU	M4 Max (14-core CPU and 32-core GPU)	M4 Max (16-core CPU and 40-core GPU)
RAM	36GB	128GB
Storage	512GB	1TB
Ports	2x USB-C, SDXC card slot, 3.5mm headphone jack (front side), 4x Thunderbolt 5, 1x HDMI, and 1x gigabyte Ethernet (backside)	2x USB-C, SDXC card slot, 3.5mm headphone jack (front side), 4x Thunderbolt 5, 1x HDMI, and 1x gigabyte Ethernet (back side)
Connectivity	10 Gigabit Ethernet, Wi-Fi 6E, Bluetooth 5.3	10 Gigabit Ethernet, Wi-Fi 6E, Bluetooth 5.3
Size	7.7 x 7.7 x 3.7 inches	7.7 x 7.7 x 3.7 inches
Weight	6.1 Pounds	8 Pounds

Mac M4: Performance

Our review unit of the Mac Studio M4 Max demonstrates exceptional speed at the time of writing. However, I await the comprehensive testing results from our laboratory to assess its CPU performance under workload conditions.

In daily use, it provides consistent speed, allowing me to stream music, work on projects, and watch videos from top streaming services effortlessly, regardless of the number of apps or tabs open.

To demonstrate its much faster performance compared to the previous Mac Studio M2 Ultra, priced at $6,199, as well as a recent Acer Predator Orion 5000 mid-range gaming desktop with an Intel Core i[n] CPU, Nvidia GeForce RTX 4070 Super GPU, 32GB of RAM, and a 1TB SSD, valued at $1,799.

Geekbench 6 Test

	Mac Studio M4 Max	Mac Studio M2 Ultra	Acer Predator Orion 500 (2024)
Geekbench 6 Multi-core CPU	26,966	19,072	19,485
Geekbench 6 Single-core CPU	4,113	1,951	1,800

This comparison has some limitations; however, it remains useful since the Acer features a fairly recent mid-range Intel Raptor Lake Refresh CPU. While it might not quite reach the speed of Apple’s 16-core M4 Max chip, the Orion can still perform impressively and even beat the more expensive Mac Studio M2 Ultra from two years ago in multi-core CPU tasks.

Nevertheless, this outcome is anticipated, given that Acer is a mid-range gaming computer priced approximately fifty percent less than a Mac Studio M4 Max, similar to the one we evaluated.

I’m eager to rapidly evaluate the storage capabilities of the Mac Studio M3 Ultra, as my encounter with the Mac Studio M4 Max review model was somewhat perplexing and fell short of my anticipations.

The results chart shows that our Mac Studio M4 Max had slightly slower read/write speeds in the Blackmagic tests compared to the 2023 Mac Studio M2. This is an interesting insight that highlights the differences between the models Ultra. Its speed was comparable to or less than that of the SSD in our original 2022 Mac Studio review unit.

	Mac Studio M4 Max	Mac Studio M2 Ultra	Mac Studio M1 Ultra
BlackMagic Read	5,134	5,849	5,349
BlackMagic Write	6,379	7,102	6,319
Handbrake Video Editing Test (MM: SS)	1:56	2:30	3:55

We observed consistent advancement in our video editing assessment, which evaluates the laptop’s efficiency in transcoding a 4K video to 1080p utilizing Handbrake. The M4 Max Studio demonstrates significantly superior performance compared to earlier models, thereby providing an enhanced and more expedient video editing experience.

Mac M4: Gaming Performance

We encountered certain issues with the Steam installation on our Mac Studio M4 Max review unit, which resulted in a minor delay in our game testing process. Consequently, I do not yet possess the full set of video game benchmarks. However, please remain attentive, as I will be conducting additional tests throughout the week and will update this review with new data accordingly.

In the meantime, I’ve spent quite a few hours exploring games and testing out our Mac Studio M4 Max review unit. It’s been an incredible gaming experience, the best I’ve had on a Mac so far!

To demonstrate its performance relative to other contemporary Macs and gaming personal computers, I compared its score with that of the recent Mac mini M4, the MacBook Pro 16-inch M4 Pro, and the 2024 Acer gaming PC previously referenced.

	Total War: Warhammer 3 (Ultra 1080p)
Mac Studio M4 Max	87
Mac Mini M4 Pro	46
MacBook Pro M4 Pro	44
Acer Predator Orion 5000	163

As shown, the M4 Max chip and 128GB of RAM in our Mac Studio review model easily handle high-speed gaming at 1080p. The Studio outperforms the latest M4 Mac mini and MacBook Pro by quite a distance. Still, a mid-range gaming PC, costing half as much, can sometimes beat the Mac Studio M4 Max when playing the most demanding games.

Mac M4: Ports

The 2025 Mac Studio proudly introduces Thunderbolt 5 in its series! It’s a fantastic upgrade, especially if you enjoy connecting multiple external displays or need high-speed, powerful accessories. This upgrade promises a smoother, more versatile experience for all your tech needs.

Our Mac Studio M4 Max is equipped with 4x Thunderbolt 5 ports on the left side and 2x additional USB-C ports on the front, making it quite versatile. Meanwhile, the $3,999 Mac Studio M3 Ultra features 2x additional Thunderbolt 5 ports, replacing the front-facing USB-C ports, which offer a different connectivity setup.

It’s frustrating that the Studio’s Thunderbolt 5 ports resemble the older Thunderbolt/USB-C ports and even share the same lightning bolt icon used for Thunderbolt 4 ports.

The rationale for upgrading from Thunderbolt 4 to Thunderbolt 5 is straightforward: it provides enhanced capabilities. While our Mac Studio M4 Max features USB-C ports capable of data transfer speeds up to 10 GB/s, Thunderbolt 5 ports can potentially reach speeds of 120 GB/s under optimal conditions.

In standard usage, Thunderbolt 5 is engineered to deliver double the bandwidth of Thunderbolt 4 (80 Gbps compared to 40 Gbps), thereby enabling the transfer of larger data volumes at an accelerated pace compared to its predecessors.

Utilizing Thunderbolt 5, it is possible to connect more sophisticated displays compared to those supported by Thunderbolt 4. Additionally, the enhanced M3 Ultra is reportedly capable of supporting up to eight displays simultaneously, with options for 6K at 60Hz or 4K at 144Hz.

Alternatively, our M4 Max review unit supports only one 8K/60Hz display, while the M3 Ultra can handle up to four 8K/60Hz displays. If you want to future-proof your setup for 8K resolution, the new Mac Studio offers full support.

Mac M4: Drawback

The Mac Studio M4 Max offers great value in many aspects, but one significant drawback comes with purchasing it.

It’s Expensive

I generally favor the Mac Studio M4 Max due to its resemblance to the original Mac Studio, which I valued for augmenting the Mac mini’s attractiveness by integrating more potent hardware within its elegant silver enclosure.

This year, I find myself leaning even more towards the basic model, especially since our initial testing shows that the mid-range M4 Max with 128GB of RAM offers a noticeable performance boost over earlier versions.

The issue pertains to Apple’s lack of provision of the most advanced Mac Studio M3 Ultra model, and I have yet to encounter robust performance benchmarks to evaluate whether an upgrade from the initial $1,999 M4 Max is justified. While I acknowledge the 2025 Mac Studio, I am cautious about recommending a significant upgrade from the base price.

Although additional cores, RAM, and storage constitute valuable enhancements, investing an extra $1,999 in the Mac Studio M3 Ultra may be an unnecessary expenditure.

Although I will wait to test it myself for confirmation, the strong CPU performance observed in our Mac Studio leads me to think that most users would find the entry-level M4 Max sufficient. Investing over $2,000 in the M3 Ultra may be appealing, but the performance improvements do not justify the additional expense.

Mac M4: Verdict

I am beginning to feel as though I am repeating myself, as the narrative concerning the 2025 Mac Studio remains consistent with that of previous models — offering greater raw power than any other Mac I have encountered, all while operating quietly and being easily incorporated into your desk configuration.

This is precisely the reason I have consistently appreciated the Studio: it resembles the professional environment of a power user’s Mac desktop. While the iMac and Mac mini possess their own appeal, for those assembling a setup dedicated to image editing or multimedia work involving audio and video, the Mac Studio appears to be the premier choice among workstations.

With the release of Thunderbolt 5 and the M4 Max, I think the 2025 Mac Studio provides a stronger incentive to upgrade compared to previous versions. It is the first Studio to support this standard, making it the most capable for multi-monitor configurations and fast large file transfers.

My only concern is whether upgrading to the M3 Ultra version offers enough value. Our gaming tests indicate that the 2025 Mac Studio hasn’t greatly altered the landscape of desktop Mac gaming. However, the M3 Ultra might handle demanding games like Cyberpunk with good to excellent frame rates. The key question remains: is it worth the steep upgrade fee?

We must await further developments; however, I am assured of one fact: the Mac Studio M4 Max is the most potent Mac to date, and it maintains an impressive aesthetic on a desk.