It’s been a packed week for Apple, with the M4 iMac launching on Monday and Apple Intelligence software rolling out across iOS, iPadOS, and macOS. More AI features, including image generation and ChatGPT integration, will follow in December. Tomorrow’s event could see the new MacBook Pros as Apple rounds off its hardware lineup ahead of its quarterly earnings report on Thursday.
As part of Apple’s week of Mac-focused announcements, the company has unveiled a smaller yet more powerful Mac Mini. Now equipped with Apple’s latest M4 chip, the Mini introduces ray tracing support for the first time and comes with 16GB of RAM by default—setting a new standard in the Apple Intelligence era.
Prices start at $599 for the base M4 model, while the M4 Pro variant begins at $1,399. Preorders are live, with the device hitting stores on November 8th.
The most noticeable change is the redesigned, ultra-compact form. The Mac Mini, already small, now measures just five inches in length and width. Apple credits the M4’s efficiency and an “innovative thermal architecture” for maintaining cool performance, using air guidance through the system’s foot for venting.
Despite the reduced size, the Mini offers plenty of I/O. The front includes two USB-C ports and a 3.5mm audio jack, while the back features ethernet, HDMI, and three USB-C/Thunderbolt ports. While native USB-A ports are gone, you now have five ports, including an extra Thunderbolt slot.
The M4 comes with Thunderbolt 4, while the M4 Pro includes the latest Thunderbolt 5. Performance also varies: the M4 Pro has 14 CPU cores, 20 GPU cores, and RAM expandable up to 64GB (versus 32GB with the M4). Storage reaches a maximum of 8TB, and 10-gigabit ethernet remains an optional upgrade.
Apple is expected to introduce the M4 Pro chip in the 14-inch and 16-inch MacBook Pros later this week, alongside the more powerful M4 Max, which won’t be available in the Mini. However, the M4 Pro’s capabilities are more than sufficient for prosumers and creatives.
