For the final 4 years, my Mac Mini M1 has been my dependable workhorse, dealing with all the pieces from video modifying to photograph processing. But Apple just lately launched the brand new Mac Mini M4, elevating the query: is it time to improve?
Alright, let’s begin with a fast recap. Released in 2020, the Mac Mini M1 options an 8-core CPU, 8-core GPU, and gives 8GB or 16GB of RAM. Mine has 8GB and 256GB storage, and it’s been impressively highly effective for heavy duties like video modifying. Plus, it’s quiet and has loads of ports.
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In 2023, Apple launched the M2 Mac Mini, which stored the 8-core CPU however upgraded to a 10-core GPU and added a 24GB RAM possibility. But for me, the improve from M1 to M2 didn’t really feel substantial sufficient to modify. I needed to skip this.
What’s New within the M4 With the M4, Apple introduces main enhancements: the bottom mannequin now begins with 16GB RAM—double that of the M1 and M2—expandable as much as 32GB with the M4 Pro. It additionally boasts a 12-core CPU and a 14-core GPU, providing as much as 1.8x sooner CPU and a couple of.2x sooner GPU efficiency than the M1 in keeping with Apple.
Why Memory Matters Memory makes an enormous distinction in day-to-day efficiency. My M1 handles CPU-intensive duties like Final Cut Pro nicely however struggles with memory-heavy apps like Chrome, which eats up about 100MB per tab. Add in multitasking with Spotify, Audacity, and different apps, and efficiency begins to dip. That’s why the M4’s base 16GB is so interesting—it’s designed to deal with a number of memory-intensive purposes seamlessly.
Here’s a comparability between the Mac Mini M1 vs M2 vs M4
Apple Intelligence and AI Enhancements The M4’s reminiscence increase additionally helps Apple’s new onboard AI engine, Apple Intelligence, which powers options like superior textual content modifying, proofreading, and the redesigned Siri. These AI enhancements imply the M4 isn’t simply sooner; it’s additionally smarter and extra versatile for productiveness.
Design and Space Efficiency One extra motive I’m drawn to the M4 is its measurement—it’s now simply 5 by 5 inches, lower than half the footprint of earlier fashions. With a small workspace like mine, this can be a tangible profit, releasing up useful desk area.
Connectivity and Ports Connectivity upgrades embrace WiFi 6E and Bluetooth 5.3, and assist for as much as three shows (up from two). However, the M4 drops USB-A ports for extra USB-C ports, which implies I’ll want an adapter for my USB-A gadgets like my recording mic. The front-facing USB-C ports and headphone jack are a handy contact, although the facility button’s relocation to the underside could take getting used to.
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Price and Value Starting at $599 for the M4 and $1,399 for the M4 Pro, the brand new Mac Mini gives spectacular worth. I purchased my M1 for $699, however for $100 much less, the M4 delivers double the bottom RAM and far more processing energy. So, will I improve? Most probably. What about you? Does the M4 appear to be a worthy funding? Let me know within the feedback under!
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