Apple standardized the 16GB RAM option this year for each of its M4 Macs, including the redesigned Mac mini, which costs just $599 for the base model. Unfortunately, the company had to cut corners somewhere in an attempt to change customers a premium for wanting higher memory and storage tiers, and it did this by equipping its compact computer with 256GB of storage. For the consumer, there are two options to increase this; pay the ‘Apple tax,’ or in other words, pay $200 to get double the storage at 512GB, or pick up a portable SSD.
There are various creative ways to expand storage on the M4 Mac mini, and since it is equipped with multiple Thunderbolt 4 ports and is going to be placed at a desk all the time, what better way to expand that internal memory than with the 2TB version of the SanDisk Extreme PRO? Currently featuring a price of $195.95 after Amazon was generous enough to slash 22 percent off, the SanDisk Extreme PRO is small enough to fit in your pocket and speedy enough to get the most taxing work done thanks to its 2,000MB/s throughput.
SanDisk includes both a USB-A-to-USB-A and a USB-C-to-USB-C cable in the box, so even if you do not plan to use it with your M4 Mac mini, you will not run into compatibility issues with other machines. With the performance you get at your fingertips, you can effortlessly transfer gigabytes and gigabytes of data in a few minutes, and since the M4 Mac mini will likely not be moved from its current position for a long time other than when you have to clean it up to prevent dust build-up, attaching a portable SSD is likely the most cost-effective option here.
Sure, going this route might make the SanDisk Extreme PRO feel out of place when connected to the M4 Mac mini, but there are those who prioritize functionality rather than aesthetics. At the time of writing, Amazon has only listed the 512GB version of Apple’s latest portable powerhouse, which can be yours for $799, and if you still feel that the internal memory count is too low, investing in a portable SSD should be your best bet yet.
Get the M4 Mac mini with 16GB RAM, 512GB storage from Amazon - $799
Get the 2TB SanDisk Extreme PRO portable SSD from Amazon - $195.95 (22 percent off)
Explore early Amazon Holiday Deals here
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About the author: Omar Sohail is a reporter and analyst for Wccftech's mobile section, specializing in the technology and business of the mobile industry. His expertise lies in the intricate hardware supply chain, covering developments in semiconductor manufacturing, chip lithography, and camera sensor technology.
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