The very next day, after Apple announced the new 24-inch iMac with an M4 chip, the company has now seen fit to introduce a new version of the Mac mini. The redesigned Mac mini comes in two chip configurations: the M4 chip, which is the base version, and the M4 Pro chip for power users. In terms of design, the new M4 Mac mini is significantly smaller than its predecessor, and based on the images Apple has shared, it can fit in the palm of your hand.
Apple announces the new Mac mini with M4 and M4 Pro chips, featuring a significantly more compact design than its predecessor
It was previously reported that Apple will announce the new Mac mini and the 14-inch and 16-inch MacBook Pro models later this week. Well, staying true to its words, the redesigned Mac mini is finally here, and it comes in a minuscule package, considerably smaller than the previous version. While the design is a significant part of the product, we are excited about the performance gains it will bring to the table.
In terms of design, the new M4 Mac mini can fit in the palm of your hand as the company has reduced its size from all directions. The overall dimensions of the device boil down to five by five inches and contain a new thermal architecture for better heat dissipation. The air intake happens from the bottom of the device and runs down through different levels of the system. It will ensure better performance and contribute to decreased levels of thermal throttling.
As for what is powering the device, it is the company's new state-of-the-art M4 chip, and it is also available in a higher-end M4 Pro version, which will ensure better computational and graphical performance. The M4 chip features a 14-core CPU and a 20-core GPU with up to 64GB of unified memory. According to the company, the new M4 Mac mini is 1.8 times faster in terms of CPU performance and up to 2.2 times faster in graphical output compared to the M1 variant.
This time, Apple has added two USB-C ports to the front of the machine, out of a total of five, as the back of the machine comes with three Thunderbolt 5 ports. This is the first time a Mac mini has featured upgraded connectivity, but unfortunately, it is only available on the M4 Pro model. The M4 Mac mini is limited to Thunderbolt 4 speeds, and there are no ports on the front of the device as well.
The new Mac mini starts at $599 with 16GB of memory, and it is available for pre-order today from Apple's online store. We will share more details on the machine soon, so be sure to stick around.
About the author: Ali Salman is a technology reporter for Wccftech mobile section with a specialized focus on Apple and the intellectual property that drives mobile innovation. He has cultivated a unique expertise in analyzing and deconstructing complex technology patents, translating dense legal and technical documents into clear, insightful reports on future products.
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