I've been rocking mine since yesterday. It's running 2 34" Ultrawide 4K gaming monitors at 144HZ, an external T4 enclosure with a 4TB Crucial SSD in it, two keyboards on a sit stand desk and it runs absolutely perfect. This is a beast for the price and I'm happy I didn't waste my mony on the Pro, it's not needed for everyday editing use and even for some lite gaming. I'm lovin' it!
Got mine on Friday, went with the 24GB/256GB model, and so far no complaints at all! Major step up from my very aged Intel-based iMac. And as an added perk, I didn't expect it to come with speakers!
@@NewWalls98 It does. It's not anything particularly loud or high-quality, but for listening to TH-cam videos and such it's great, I was expecting to need to hook up earbuds or get a monitor with speakers,
About a year ago my daughter complained that she wanted to get her M1 MBA fixed. She cracked the screen, which I understand to be a problem with those, and just stopped using it. At the same time I needed a big screen for my indoor cycling. As a solution I bought her a used M2 MBA, which she has been thrilled with, and bought myself a 27" 4k Dell monitor and connected the M1 MBA to it. After a few gyrations of getting it all to work and making it mine from a registration standpoint, it too was great for its use. So good in fact that I swapped it with my old iMac since I needed it as a computer more than as a bike trainer. The old iMac can still run Zwift animation in 4k, and this M1 is pretty fast except not very convenient. So now I see this M4 mini and I'm sold. I have the monitor, a magic mouse and apple keyboard plus at least 5tb of external SSD. Like in your video I think the mini will fit at the base of the Dell monitor, and even if it doesn't it is still really small. I just wish the 5k iMac could be used as a stand-alone monitor as I'd use the mini as my main computer and still use the M1 as the cycling computer. I've tried a few solutions and they are all too laggy to be useful. Apple very specifically made this impossible to do, otherwise all those old iMacs would be getting used as monitors with mini plugged into it and they'd never sell another iMac.
I'm in the same situation with my iMac and share the same frustration. If Apple really cared about the environment (other that putting a stop to gluing in battery and storage on laptops) they'd make the iMac more modular - just make a monitor where a Mini sized computer slots in the back, like some SFF PCs.
As someone with an aging Intel Mac this might be a holdover purchase for me. I truly cannot believe the value proposition. Will be nice to take some stress off of my i9 MBP. 8GB of ram was my main hold off from the base models and I wasn’t exactly happy to spend another $2700 on a 15” MBP equivalent.
QUESTION: If you leave your Mac on all the time, how about all your peripherals? Especially hard drives and audio interfaces? Do you leave everything on all night?
@@npinero1 There's an argument to be made that turning on and off electronics is worse as components will repeatedly expand and contract. I've had an old Sony receiver hooked up to my Mac's audio (and the older one before that) for years that only gets turned off when I go on vacation. Still chugging along nicely.
Just got mine over the weekend for my work computer. I was using a display link dock on my M1 Macbook Pro, and this is replacing that so I can run 3 monitors. It is working perfectly. It even fits inside the middle drawer of my desk so It is completely out of sight and I love it.
Patrick, could you please measure the R/W speed of your SSD on your basic Mac Mini, and then do the same on your Mac Mini Pro? The reason why I ask is that one of the TH-camrs said the speed of the Pro was double. I can't compare because I only have the Pro version. Greetings from Ghent (Belgium)
for the basic Mac Mini I have around 2 GB writes and 2.4 GB read speeds. for comparison, I have a thunderbolt 3 external SSD (LaCie, 1 TB) which has 2.7 GB for writes and 3.2 GB for read.
A tip; let the mini sit on a hockey puck and I think most fingers manage to reach under it to reach the power button. The elevated position my also aid the cooling of the machine?
What made you pick 24GB? I'm just curious as I'm having the same thoughts. A friend of mine is travelling to the USA so I want to pay US prices and not European prices for one of these!
that’s the exact config I went for, 24gb 1tb ssd. Same specs as my nearly decade old imac from 2015 (back when you could easily add your own RAM from a door on the back). I figured I had to at least match the specs both RAM and Storage wise as my 9 year old Intel iMac 😂. I received mine on Friday and Final Cut Pro and GigaPixel AI run incredibly well! The CPU is impressive.
@@fablewalls no particular reason. I usually go the next step in RAM for future proof/performance (adobe eats lots of RAM)… good luck in your purchase!!…
I am going to get a Mac Mini. It is a great price for to get into the Mac world for my personal computer. I am Apple for everything. It is about time for me to get my last piece of technology into Apple. Thanks for the review.
Can I use an iPad mini as a monitor for this small M4 Mac mini when I travel? The thought of throwing the mac mini, power cable, magic mouse, magic keyboard & my iPad mini 6 in my travel bag just blow me away.
I bought one for my wife for her photo editing and I tried it out for video editing and rendering. Sadly it didn't beat my pc. I was hoping the mac mini would be faster so I could pick one up for all my wedding video needs but I would be downgrading from my pc.
i would honestly wait until someone 3d prints or third party makes a stand for it to be on it's side rather than flip it upside down... the power supply is at the top of the machine and why have that laying straight against your desk tho i suppose you could put some kind of feet on the top if the power button on the bottom needs to be easier to get to
I use the ports on the front of my Mac Studio so I like that they added those on the Mini. I would have preferred that Apple leave off the headphone jack and maybe turn that into an SD card slot. Also while I get that for the price you don't get a mouse or keyboard it would have been nice on the order page for the Mini that they offered a couple choices for keyboard and mouse at an extra cost.
@@PatrickRambles I run the headphone out into an input of my audio interface. The easiest way to be able to record any audio from any app in Logic for example. Audio played from iTunes is also routed to my studio monitors (speakers) this way. There are probably other ways/workarounds but in my setup this has been a no-brainer for more than a decade now. So I'm happy with the headphone jack :-).
Got my base model the 8th, using it with a old mechanical hdd connected externally (I know its a sin lol) - will upgrade to external Ssd soon (maybe wait - if I can - until someone makes a perfect dock for it….). Anyways it’s rock solid. I use it for stuff like Xcode coding, golang coding
When I see how small it is, my immediate thought is can you just use it with a Vision Pro without a monitor? Throw this, a keyboard, mouse, and Vision Pro in your suitcase and have a productivity powerhouse you can set up in any hotel room. The number of folks who need that is of course small, but it’s not zero and would be a very cool option.
Hello, Patrick. As you mentioned, I'm very interested in learning about the best use cases. I'm a creative designer working primarily with Adobe Suite, especially Photoshop and After Effects. I'm eager to understand how well this performs with both programs and its overall performance. If it handles these tasks smoothly, I believe it could be a great value for money, especially compared to building a PC at twice the price. Please let us know!
Had mine since Friday base model with bumped storage, it’s awesome as for power button it’s not like it weighs anything I turn it off every night it’s not a thing. Just need an awesome monitor at some point next year as mine is a basic HD one
Many people don't need a high end machine and this looks to be a reasonable priced Mac for the average person. It is about time Apple produced such a machine. We want options and ability to choose a model that fits our needs... yes, even on the low end of the spectrum. I'm considering one of the base models as a AV computer for basic needs in my home theater setup, including ability to replace my physical AppleTV. (I'm still living with my old 2017 iMac 5K and 2018 MacBook Pro)
I absolutely love the new Mac Mini. I don’t get it about the power button drama online. Like you I just put my Mac to sleep so it’s no issue for me. Looking forward to your more in depth review of the Mac mini. Everything crossed that Santa will be dropping one off to me this Christmas.
I picked up the 24Gb/512 model last week. Today I tried to convert a 38mb PDF to a MOBI file using Calibre. I checked 30 minutes later and it was sitting on 1% converted and the mac mini was very hot to the touch with no sign of a fan kicking in. I quit the attempt and the mini rapidly cooled down. Very disturbing. I also used Handbrake to convert a 766mb MKV file to MP4. It handled it, creating a 1.6gb file, but still took 20 minutes and the mini ran quite warm while it was doing it. This was a very small job, one my 2013 intel iMac would handle easily in about the same time. I didn't expect the mini to get hot during the attempt.
Im waiting to upgrade when the new docking stations come out. I'm currently using a M2 MacMini with a Satechi dock with a 4tb SSD. So I know they have to be working on new docks so I can wait until then.
@@PatrickRambles for me it works great. I use it for music production so I need I/O for music equipment. I haven’t noticed any lags or slow speed. Usually the only the main interface is a Thunderbolt. Most music equipment is just a USB C or A. Like I said, except for the main interface, a standard USB for equipment is used. So super fast data transfer speeds is necessary for music production. I hope I explained this correctly for you.
Thank you for the video, Patrick. I really enjoy your videos and I received my Mac Mini a few days ago. I am still transitioning from my MBP, so haven’t used my new computer a whole lot, but excited to permanently move over.
I haven’t bought a new computer since my hp with windows vista, then putting windows 10 after a long time. I’ve just used my phone for internet now. My friend gave me a 2015 MacBook Pro that works good but needs a lot of work.(battery, speakers). Would the Mac mini be a good option for a casual user? I think my MacBook isn’t worth investing in repairing because updates are at an end
looking forward to the maxed out mini compared to your m3max maxed out macbook pro... i hve a m3max macbook pro and now kinda want a m4 pro mac mini but not sure itts worth getting seeing as i have the m3 max 14c cpu and 30gpu with 36gb ram and 1tb ssd....
It's hard, the studio display is so good for it. BenQ makes one that's tailored to Mac as well. It's featured here th-cam.com/video/x9injdOblkM/w-d-xo.htmlsi=5Y7NiUlVvR_buLQT
Hey! It's not so much about your recording devices but more about your editing habits. If you keep it simple, you should be fine. But lots of plugins, color grades, animations, you might run into some trouble down the line.
bet it will be around the 130GB free mark. Just guessing. Why can't any reviewer show how much had drive space is free and how much ram is free on bootup.
The argument I hear a lot is it’s ok the new Mini doesn’t come with WiFi7 since very few are running a WiFi7 network. Is there some giant list of Thunderbolt 5 peripherals out there some of us don’t know about?
Really is a amazing small computer. I have a gaming rig I built myself that does have decent specs but is starting to age though, this could be a good upgrade if I want to go full macOS. Since right now I do use Linux Mint.
I just don’t understand why every TH-camr says you might want to upgrade your storage over memory if you plan to keep it for years 🤦♂️ You can always add external storage, but memory you cannot.
I didn't say don't upgrade your RAM (I suppose that's what you mean by "memory"). Also, you can't run apps from external storage, so no that's not a remedy for maxing out internal storage.
@@PatrickRamblesactually you can run third party apps from an external storage. Also, the latest OS allows the App Store to install large (>1Gb) apps on an external drive. Preinstalled Apple apps can’t be moved externally though. Regarding the “/Library/Application Support” folder, it seems to depend on the app. So it’s a bit more complicated than saying you can or you can’t.
Power Button - Agree not an issue - As to why my assumption is carbon neutral, so a design element as less resource to do it this way than having to add extra cut in the aluminium and create mounting point. Replaced my M1 base with this and it’s a worthy upgrade.
On the other hand ... I faced several challenges setting up their second M4 Mac Mini, highlighting compatibility issues and frustrations with Apple’s ecosystem and third-party accessories. Here’s a summary: 1. Thunderbolt Cable Confusion: • Purchased a Thunderbolt cable but discovered Apple’s new devices don’t have Thunderbolt sockets. • The USB-C version is less expensive and would have been more appropriate. 2. USB-A/B Compatibility Issues: • Used a low-spec USB-C to USB-A/B adapter for older mice and keyboards. • The Mac Mini detected peripherals in the OS but not at boot, causing the system to enter VoiceOver mode with a blurred background and no functional input. 3. Time Machine Backup Problems: • Attempted to restore a nearly 1TB Time Machine backup to a Mac Mini with 512GB storage. • Found that the System directory (256GB) cannot be selectively restored. • Time Machine restoration failed, and the OS wouldn’t reinstall properly after the failure. 4. External SSD Issues: • External SSD (used due to insufficient internal storage) wasn’t recognized during boot unless Apple-formatted. • Encountered delays and repeated failures when trying to reinstall the OS. 5. Resolution: • Identified the USB-C adapter as the cause of the mouse detection issue. • Reformatted the external SSD to Apple standards to resolve boot problems. Final Thoughts: The M4 Mac Mini is operational but required significant troubleshooting, multiple attempts, and hours of setup.
Hey man, thanks for sharing. But I'm afraid a lot of what you're writing comes down to user errors. The Mac Minis most certainly have Thunderbolt ports (3 TB4 ports on the entry model, 3 TB5 ports on the high end Pro model). Using low spec accessories that don't work isn't Apple's fault. I'm not really sure why you thought a 1TB Time Machine backup would fit on a drive half it's size? That's like complaining you can't fit two gallons of milk in a one gallon jar. Formatting SSDs for a new computer should be standard practice. It sounds like this is a user problem, not a Mac Problem
@@PatrickRambles Well, I didn't think it would fit - obviously. I did think I would be more able to trim my large content so that I could use the setup system. I couldn't. Low spec accessories? It's a Mouse, It's a Keyboard - nothing low spec there, just a different plug. My warning is that using a low price adapter actually turns out to be low spec. That was news to me. Power and/or data I knew about - sensing the existence of a mouse was a new one - hence my post. So, it's not 'user errors', I've been using for many decades, I am reporting unadvertised interface limitations. It took me days to work it out, even three Apple Tech phone calls didn't help. Clearly it is not widely known that the Mac Mini has a total VoiceOver control system that stops all display output if it can't find a mouse?
@@PatrickRambles It's simple enough - you just chose the files you want... But there is a far better way - Search for 'M4 Mac Mini Base Model - People are LOSING THEIR HEADS!' for the real answer.
OK, So I'm convinced there is a requirement that ALL TH-camrs complain about the power button you will NEVER press. So weird. If that's the ONLY complaint (and it doesn't bother me at all) then that's pretty excellent.
I mean we’ve had mini PC’s for years now. I use a windows based one with a Ryzen 7 8845HS, 32GB of DDR5 RAM, 2TB of storage etc. it’s a powerhouse. So this form factor isn’t new, it’s just new to Apple. It’s probably the most powerful but it’s not “new”.
gutted that the Yen is so crap right now. I bought the original Mac Mini G4 in 2005 for $499 and that was 49,800 yen over here. The new Mac Mini M4 is $599 and yet the cost here is 98,000 yen. Basically the price over here has doubled while the price in the US has gone up by only 25%
If the power button placement is bothering people this much, then don’t buy it! Steve Jobs said it best! The market will ultimately dictate if we did a good job and the product is successful or not. So Apple seems to be selling one hell of a lot of Mac mini’s right now! Much like the charging port on the Magic Mouse that people plug in overnight every two months it’s a non issue. The people bitching the most about this crap usually have no intention of buying these products anyway!
@ compared to other reviewers you are impartial and don’t claim that every product Apple makes is great. You present both sides of the story, which is refreshing.
Probably has to do with memory swap. Apple has unified memory so when you run out of RAM, it will use some of the storage as memory (poor explanation but that's the gist of it). Lower storage models therefore could slow down under heavy load.
If apple had thought ahead they could have drilled holes in the Apple display base so the power cable on the new M4 mini could actually stand on the base plate as demonstrated here (BUT they didn't!!?)
And if you don't have the peripherals for your US$ 599 Mac Mini, you just have to spend US$ 1.950 + taxes more for your Apple keyboard, mouse pad, mouse and monitor.
@@_TT90 I will be reusing my Apple wired extended keyboard, my Apple mouse, (AND a wired MS Mouse as a backup for when the Apple Mouse goes flat), also my 4K 32 inch curved Phillips screens (x2) via HDMI. And lastly, my 2 x Satachi 4 port USB-C hubs. Apple tells me I can use an old iPhone as a camera as well? Any suggestions for setting it up? Why a wired KB? Because I got sick of the Bluetooth keyboard constantly losing connection. My Satachi VESA mounting bracket can't be reused 😞
Wow, I don't believe you reviewers are giving Apple free marketing. They don't have to spend a dime on marketing when it comes to this computer. I hope they are compensating you for this free marketing. It will be interesting to see the sales at the end of the quarter.
Control-Option-Command-Power button* or Control-Option-Command-Media Eject Doesn't work on keyboards with touch ID, but you can use that to put the Mac to sleep (which I prefer)
Meh. It would be a great PC if I hadn't already begun to move to Windows these past fews months. Largely because my mac is old (Mac mini 2018) and my laptops are mostly windows because I need full MS Office compatibility (it's a lot better now, but at conferences I still see problems due to people using macs/mac versions). Plus I'm a casual-ish gamer and that's a lot better on Windows.
@@PatrickRambles mostly PowerPoint compatibility. Over the years, it's been the minot embarrassment with some things not working quite right. Eg embedded media types. It's probably better now, but I thought that the last time too. I've been back and forth with windows and Mac, and they're generally much the same.
I got mine on 8th, I could not believe this one is so small and weightless ! it is just amazing where technology has come
Truly.
Smal thing I know, but that was the nicest and coolest intro to the Mac mini I've seen on any of the channels.
Thank you so much, means a lot 🙏🏻
I've been rocking mine since yesterday. It's running 2 34" Ultrawide 4K gaming monitors at 144HZ, an external T4 enclosure with a 4TB Crucial SSD in it, two keyboards on a sit stand desk and it runs absolutely perfect. This is a beast for the price and I'm happy I didn't waste my mony on the Pro, it's not needed for everyday editing use and even for some lite gaming. I'm lovin' it!
That's awesome 👊
What’s Monitors are you running?
@@bobr407Exactly. The monitor situation is the only thing I wish were better.
I have pretty much the same setup and I want to edit photos and start video editing. Do you think the base version is enough? It kinda sounds like it
So you have the base model…? More context needed here
Got mine on Friday, went with the 24GB/256GB model, and so far no complaints at all! Major step up from my very aged Intel-based iMac. And as an added perk, I didn't expect it to come with speakers!
Does it have a built-in speaker?
@@NewWalls98 It does. It's not anything particularly loud or high-quality, but for listening to TH-cam videos and such it's great, I was expecting to need to hook up earbuds or get a monitor with speakers,
Compared to Intel, this is a rocket ship! 😅
@@PatrickRambles It really is!
my recording devices are, 4k dslr n iphn 15 pro max
please suggest is base model 16gb is enough for my 4 years need ?
About a year ago my daughter complained that she wanted to get her M1 MBA fixed. She cracked the screen, which I understand to be a problem with those, and just stopped using it. At the same time I needed a big screen for my indoor cycling. As a solution I bought her a used M2 MBA, which she has been thrilled with, and bought myself a 27" 4k Dell monitor and connected the M1 MBA to it. After a few gyrations of getting it all to work and making it mine from a registration standpoint, it too was great for its use. So good in fact that I swapped it with my old iMac since I needed it as a computer more than as a bike trainer. The old iMac can still run Zwift animation in 4k, and this M1 is pretty fast except not very convenient. So now I see this M4 mini and I'm sold. I have the monitor, a magic mouse and apple keyboard plus at least 5tb of external SSD. Like in your video I think the mini will fit at the base of the Dell monitor, and even if it doesn't it is still really small.
I just wish the 5k iMac could be used as a stand-alone monitor as I'd use the mini as my main computer and still use the M1 as the cycling computer. I've tried a few solutions and they are all too laggy to be useful. Apple very specifically made this impossible to do, otherwise all those old iMacs would be getting used as monitors with mini plugged into it and they'd never sell another iMac.
I'm in the same situation with my iMac and share the same frustration. If Apple really cared about the environment (other that putting a stop to gluing in battery and storage on laptops) they'd make the iMac more modular - just make a monitor where a Mini sized computer slots in the back, like some SFF PCs.
As someone with an aging Intel Mac this might be a holdover purchase for me. I truly cannot believe the value proposition. Will be nice to take some stress off of my i9 MBP. 8GB of ram was my main hold off from the base models and I wasn’t exactly happy to spend another $2700 on a 15” MBP equivalent.
I think you are going to be blown away by the upgrade in speed and power.
QUESTION: If you leave your Mac on all the time, how about all your peripherals? Especially hard drives and audio interfaces? Do you leave everything on all night?
Mostly, yes.
@@PatrickRambles but doesn't that minimize the life of the electronic gear? Plus your electrical bill must be massive.
I've never had anything fail or break by leaving it on standby. Equipment these days is very efficient, I don't notice it on my bill tbh
@@npinero1 There's an argument to be made that turning on and off electronics is worse as components will repeatedly expand and contract. I've had an old Sony receiver hooked up to my Mac's audio (and the older one before that) for years that only gets turned off when I go on vacation. Still chugging along nicely.
Just got mine over the weekend for my work computer. I was using a display link dock on my M1 Macbook Pro, and this is replacing that so I can run 3 monitors. It is working perfectly. It even fits inside the middle drawer of my desk so It is completely out of sight and I love it.
In the words of Hannibal : "I love it when a plan comes together"
Mine is due to arrive in two hours 😊
Yikes! Exciting :)
Patrick, could you please measure the R/W speed of your SSD on your basic Mac Mini, and then do the same on your Mac Mini Pro? The reason why I ask is that one of the TH-camrs said the speed of the Pro was double. I can't compare because I only have the Pro version. Greetings from Ghent (Belgium)
Absolutely. My pro will come in next week, it's on the to do list!
@@PatrickRambles Of course I mean the speed of the SSD
Of course.
for the basic Mac Mini I have around 2 GB writes and 2.4 GB read speeds. for comparison, I have a thunderbolt 3 external SSD (LaCie, 1 TB) which has 2.7 GB for writes and 3.2 GB for read.
A tip; let the mini sit on a hockey puck and I think most fingers manage to reach under it to reach the power button. The elevated position my also aid the cooling of the machine?
It would work but I don't want to have to use silly workarounds that make this perfectly machined beauty look dumb, ya know 😅
@ Yeah I get it! It was more like joke from my side. 😀
Mine arrives next Wednesday!! -M4 24GB 1TB Can’t wait! (upgrading from a mac mini M1)…
Nice!
What made you pick 24GB? I'm just curious as I'm having the same thoughts. A friend of mine is travelling to the USA so I want to pay US prices and not European prices for one of these!
that’s the exact config I went for, 24gb 1tb ssd. Same specs as my nearly decade old imac from 2015 (back when you could easily add your own RAM from a door on the back). I figured I had to at least match the specs both RAM and Storage wise as my 9 year old Intel iMac 😂. I received mine on Friday and Final Cut Pro and GigaPixel AI run incredibly well! The CPU is impressive.
@@fablewalls no particular reason. I usually go the next step in RAM for future proof/performance (adobe eats lots of RAM)… good luck in your purchase!!…
I do like how you installed that mini under the monitor, completely covering all the ports on its back.
There's plenty of space for the cables.
I replaced an aging desktop PC with one of these and I think it’s amazing. Last time I touched the power button there was a power outage.
I received my 1TB version on the 8th. It is a speed demon. It replaced my 2018 Intel Mac mini.
What an upgrade 🔥
“Clever marketing” so true! There can’t be another reason. Other than to hear Patrick say “reach around” 😂😂😂😂
🤣🤣
This content is keeping me happy.
🙂
Just ordered the base model to replace a late 2012 mac mini (upgraded to 16/512 with SSD).
Wow, that will be some upgrade!
That is super cool that you used a computer for 12 years. I doubt you could do that with a Windows computer.
@@ThunderStruck94660 For sure. And honestly 2012 Macs still work fine for day to day.
I am going to get a Mac Mini. It is a great price for to get into the Mac world for my personal computer. I am Apple for everything. It is about time for me to get my last piece of technology into Apple. Thanks for the review.
Yes 👊. You'll love the integration with your other devices.
This is the first mac I pre ordered and I do not regret it
I want one for Christmas 🎉
Can I use an iPad mini as a monitor for this small M4 Mac mini when I travel? The thought of throwing the mac mini, power cable, magic mouse, magic keyboard & my iPad mini 6 in my travel bag just blow me away.
Yes! I'll drop a video about that soon
@@PatrickRambles great ! thank you so much !!!!
I got mine two days ago and already love it.
Nice!
I bought one for my wife for her photo editing and I tried it out for video editing and rendering. Sadly it didn't beat my pc. I was hoping the mac mini would be faster so I could pick one up for all my wedding video needs but I would be downgrading from my pc.
You're going to need the M4 Pro.
can you just have it on table upside down so you can find power switch, or does it screw up cooling?
Maybe, but how silly would that be? 😅
@@PatrickRambles why silly? you already know its Apple i don't think you will need reminder
Fair.
i would honestly wait until someone 3d prints or third party makes a stand for it to be on it's side rather than flip it upside down... the power supply is at the top of the machine and why have that laying straight against your desk tho i suppose you could put some kind of feet on the top if the power button on the bottom needs to be easier to get to
Just did a full day of animation on the base model. It handled things better than my 2019 specced out MBP and didn’t cost $6000
Nice!
2 questions:
Can I power on the mini using thunderbolt 4?
What is the power consumption?
I use the ports on the front of my Mac Studio so I like that they added those on the Mini. I would have preferred that Apple leave off the headphone jack and maybe turn that into an SD card slot. Also while I get that for the price you don't get a mouse or keyboard it would have been nice on the order page for the Mini that they offered a couple choices for keyboard and mouse at an extra cost.
Agreed on the SD card slot. I think most people who use wired headphones probably have some kind of audio interface anyway.
@@PatrickRambles I run the headphone out into an input of my audio interface. The easiest way to be able to record any audio from any app in Logic for example. Audio played from iTunes is also routed to my studio monitors (speakers) this way. There are probably other ways/workarounds but in my setup this has been a no-brainer for more than a decade now. So I'm happy with the headphone jack :-).
Got my base model the 8th, using it with a old mechanical hdd connected externally (I know its a sin lol) - will upgrade to external Ssd soon (maybe wait - if I can - until someone makes a perfect dock for it….). Anyways it’s rock solid. I use it for stuff like Xcode coding, golang coding
When I see how small it is, my immediate thought is can you just use it with a Vision Pro without a monitor? Throw this, a keyboard, mouse, and Vision Pro in your suitcase and have a productivity powerhouse you can set up in any hotel room. The number of folks who need that is of course small, but it’s not zero and would be a very cool option.
I don't see why not!
Hello, Patrick. As you mentioned, I'm very interested in learning about the best use cases. I'm a creative designer working primarily with Adobe Suite, especially Photoshop and After Effects. I'm eager to understand how well this performs with both programs and its overall performance. If it handles these tasks smoothly, I believe it could be a great value for money, especially compared to building a PC at twice the price. Please let us know!
Had mine since Friday base model with bumped storage, it’s awesome as for power button it’s not like it weighs anything I turn it off every night it’s not a thing. Just need an awesome monitor at some point next year as mine is a basic HD one
Curious, why do you turn it off every night?
@ always have turned all my computers off to be honest, also have you seen the price of energy in the uk 😂
Can you use an iPad Pro 12.9 as a monitor ? ( I use a 2018 12.9 iPPro, and think it would be ideal to take along on trips)
Yes. Video coming soon!
Thanks Patrick. I have been on the fence since I have an M1 MacBook Pro Max w32 GB of ram and a 1TB SDD .
This will get me to the M4 will less imvestment.
It's a killer deal
Many people don't need a high end machine and this looks to be a reasonable priced Mac for the average person. It is about time Apple produced such a machine. We want options and ability to choose a model that fits our needs... yes, even on the low end of the spectrum. I'm considering one of the base models as a AV computer for basic needs in my home theater setup, including ability to replace my physical AppleTV.
(I'm still living with my old 2017 iMac 5K and 2018 MacBook Pro)
I absolutely love the new Mac Mini. I don’t get it about the power button drama online. Like you I just put my Mac to sleep so it’s no issue for me. Looking forward to your more in depth review of the Mac mini. Everything crossed that Santa will be dropping one off to me this Christmas.
Haha yeah it's not a big deal AT ALL. It's just a typical silly Apple thing to do so we love pointing it out.
I picked up the 24Gb/512 model last week. Today I tried to convert a 38mb PDF to a MOBI file using Calibre. I checked 30 minutes later and it was sitting on 1% converted and the mac mini was very hot to the touch with no sign of a fan kicking in. I quit the attempt and the mini rapidly cooled down. Very disturbing. I also used Handbrake to convert a 766mb MKV file to MP4. It handled it, creating a 1.6gb file, but still took 20 minutes and the mini ran quite warm while it was doing it. This was a very small job, one my 2013 intel iMac would handle easily in about the same time. I didn't expect the mini to get hot during the attempt.
Wow that sounds so odd, it should easily be able to handle that.
Im waiting to upgrade when the new docking stations come out. I'm currently using a M2 MacMini with a Satechi dock with a 4tb SSD. So I know they have to be working on new docks so I can wait until then.
How do you find those perform? They seem to be "just" usb c. Won't that setup throttle whatever you hook up to it?
@@PatrickRambles for me it works great. I use it for music production so I need I/O for music equipment. I haven’t noticed any lags or slow speed. Usually the only the main interface is a Thunderbolt. Most music equipment is just a USB C or A. Like I said, except for the main interface, a standard USB for equipment is used. So super fast data transfer speeds is necessary for music production. I hope I explained this correctly for you.
Mine with the 512GB arrives Wednesday, cannot wait to give it a spin.
🔥
Any ultra wide monitors work well the Mac mini?
Thank you for the video, Patrick. I really enjoy your videos and I received my Mac Mini a few days ago. I am still transitioning from my MBP, so haven’t used my new computer a whole lot, but excited to permanently move over.
Thanks Harlan, I appreciate the support! Let me know how you like it!
I haven’t bought a new computer since my hp with windows vista, then putting windows 10 after a long time. I’ve just used my phone for internet now. My friend gave me a 2015 MacBook Pro that works good but needs a lot of work.(battery, speakers). Would the Mac mini be a good option for a casual user? I think my MacBook isn’t worth investing in repairing because updates are at an end
It's even a great option for a not so casual user. I can recommend this Mac Mini almost to anyone that doesn't need a top spec for heavy tasks.
I’m still rockin my early MacBook Pro early 2015 with 16gb ram. I took really good care of it and I love it. This m4 is 549$ on Amazon right now😅 oof
looking forward to the maxed out mini compared to your m3max maxed out macbook pro... i hve a m3max macbook pro and now kinda want a m4 pro mac mini but not sure itts worth getting seeing as i have the m3 max 14c cpu and 30gpu with 36gb ram and 1tb ssd....
Me too, very curious to see the real life difference.
I have a hub with USB-a and SD card reader plugged into a front port. I have a second display, a TB4 external drive and spare USB4 plug in the back.
Near perfection to me
Are Those Apple Studio Displays your Using ?
Yep.
Would this cope on photo editing with Adobe Photoshop and Lightroom?
Absolutely.
can you recommend a monitor other than the studio display for the mac mini ?
It's hard, the studio display is so good for it. BenQ makes one that's tailored to Mac as well. It's featured here th-cam.com/video/x9injdOblkM/w-d-xo.htmlsi=5Y7NiUlVvR_buLQT
my recording devices are, 4k dslr n iphn 15 pro max
please suggest is base model 16gb is enough for my 4 years need ?
Hey! It's not so much about your recording devices but more about your editing habits. If you keep it simple, you should be fine. But lots of plugins, color grades, animations, you might run into some trouble down the line.
One question, how much disk space is free after a clean macos install in the 256gb?
bet it will be around the 130GB free mark. Just guessing. Why can't any reviewer show how much had drive space is free and how much ram is free on bootup.
It's a first impressions video. I'll be covering all of this in the full review.
Excellent video as always Patrick!
Thank you 🙏🏻
Can u use a tablet for monitor ?
Getting my base model on the 20th! The whole stock is finished in my country lol. Looking forward to it!
I'm not surprised. It's such a good deal!
@ definetly! Great video 🙏
The argument I hear a lot is it’s ok the new Mini doesn’t come with WiFi7 since very few are running a WiFi7 network. Is there some giant list of Thunderbolt 5 peripherals out there some of us don’t know about?
😂 fair.
Really is a amazing small computer. I have a gaming rig I built myself that does have decent specs but is starting to age though, this could be a good upgrade if I want to go full macOS. Since right now I do use Linux Mint.
It is a great little machine, for sure! Although ft gaming I'd still go windows (or Linux).
I have the M2 Pro 16gb Mac mini. Is the base model M4 better?
Great question. I would think so, but I'm positive someone will do a real world test for this very soon.
Best overview thus far!
🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻
I just don’t understand why every TH-camr says you might want to upgrade your storage over memory if you plan to keep it for years 🤦♂️ You can always add external storage, but memory you cannot.
I didn't say don't upgrade your RAM (I suppose that's what you mean by "memory"). Also, you can't run apps from external storage, so no that's not a remedy for maxing out internal storage.
@@PatrickRamblesactually you can run third party apps from an external storage. Also, the latest OS allows the App Store to install large (>1Gb) apps on an external drive. Preinstalled Apple apps can’t be moved externally though. Regarding the “/Library/Application Support” folder, it seems to depend on the app. So it’s a bit more complicated than saying you can or you can’t.
I have 30 gaming rigs and still bought one. :)
😂
Power Button - Agree not an issue - As to why my assumption is carbon neutral, so a design element as less resource to do it this way than having to add extra cut in the aluminium and create mounting point.
Replaced my M1 base with this and it’s a worthy upgrade.
When the worst part of a computer is the position of the power button… you know is a really GOOD computer.
Facts.
I have 2 4k displays, one at 120hz HDR and the other at 60hz and it doesn't break a sweat.
On the other hand ...
I faced several challenges setting up their second M4 Mac Mini, highlighting compatibility issues and frustrations with Apple’s ecosystem and third-party accessories. Here’s a summary:
1. Thunderbolt Cable Confusion:
• Purchased a Thunderbolt cable but discovered Apple’s new devices don’t have Thunderbolt sockets.
• The USB-C version is less expensive and would have been more appropriate.
2. USB-A/B Compatibility Issues:
• Used a low-spec USB-C to USB-A/B adapter for older mice and keyboards.
• The Mac Mini detected peripherals in the OS but not at boot, causing the system to enter VoiceOver mode with a blurred background and no functional input.
3. Time Machine Backup Problems:
• Attempted to restore a nearly 1TB Time Machine backup to a Mac Mini with 512GB storage.
• Found that the System directory (256GB) cannot be selectively restored.
• Time Machine restoration failed, and the OS wouldn’t reinstall properly after the failure.
4. External SSD Issues:
• External SSD (used due to insufficient internal storage) wasn’t recognized during boot unless Apple-formatted.
• Encountered delays and repeated failures when trying to reinstall the OS.
5. Resolution:
• Identified the USB-C adapter as the cause of the mouse detection issue.
• Reformatted the external SSD to Apple standards to resolve boot problems.
Final Thoughts: The M4 Mac Mini is operational but required significant troubleshooting, multiple attempts, and hours of setup.
Hey man, thanks for sharing. But I'm afraid a lot of what you're writing comes down to user errors. The Mac Minis most certainly have Thunderbolt ports (3 TB4 ports on the entry model, 3 TB5 ports on the high end Pro model). Using low spec accessories that don't work isn't Apple's fault. I'm not really sure why you thought a 1TB Time Machine backup would fit on a drive half it's size? That's like complaining you can't fit two gallons of milk in a one gallon jar. Formatting SSDs for a new computer should be standard practice.
It sounds like this is a user problem, not a Mac Problem
@@PatrickRambles Well, I didn't think it would fit - obviously. I did think I would be more able to trim my large content so that I could use the setup system. I couldn't.
Low spec accessories? It's a Mouse, It's a Keyboard - nothing low spec there, just a different plug. My warning is that using a low price adapter actually turns out to be low spec. That was news to me. Power and/or data I knew about - sensing the existence of a mouse was a new one - hence my post.
So, it's not 'user errors', I've been using for many decades, I am reporting unadvertised interface limitations. It took me days to work it out, even three Apple Tech phone calls didn't help.
Clearly it is not widely known that the Mac Mini has a total VoiceOver control system that stops all display output if it can't find a mouse?
Low spec were our own words 🤷♂️. Trying to cram a terrabyte into a 512GB drive is most certainly a user error. How else would you describe it?
@@PatrickRambles I won't bother because I've found a far better way of sort the problem - th-cam.com/video/WtIbGq6Od6o/w-d-xo.html
@@PatrickRambles It's simple enough - you just chose the files you want... But there is a far better way - Search for 'M4 Mac Mini Base Model - People are LOSING THEIR HEADS!' for the real answer.
Another informative video, well done 👍🏻
Thank you 🙏🏻
Does it run Windows Copilot?
My base model arrives today. I’m chomping at the bit. 🎉
Wooot 👊
what does a track pad do?
The exact same thing as a trackpad on your laptop.
OK, So I'm convinced there is a requirement that ALL TH-camrs complain about the power button you will NEVER press. So weird. If that's the ONLY complaint (and it doesn't bother me at all) then that's pretty excellent.
Those airtight boxes still blow me away
Hey, so we got a really dope video about the Submariner... When is the video about the Omega coming!?
Haha - I've actually been on the fence about doing one or not. Should I?
@ you absolutely should!
Hé Patrick. Ik wist niet dat je in Belgie woont. Je doet dat heel goed op YT. Blijf zo verder doen en nog veel succes gewenst!
Dank u !
It’s so small I hope I don’t get the box mixed up with my Amazon packages 😅
I mean we’ve had mini PC’s for years now. I use a windows based one with a Ryzen 7 8845HS, 32GB of DDR5 RAM, 2TB of storage etc. it’s a powerhouse. So this form factor isn’t new, it’s just new to Apple. It’s probably the most powerful but it’s not “new”.
Of course there are mini PCs. Apple isn't known for doing things first. But there aren't any mini PCs this powerful at that price.
I ve got to wait to watch this until I unbox mine. I’ll be back. :).
Haha
Imagine the next mac studio!!!! Mines an m1 ultra good for another 4-5 years tho
I can only imagine what an absolute monster that is going to be 😅
I really don’t get the whole packing it and travel with it. So people just have monitors readily available wherever they go? Just take a laptop.
You can use an iPad as monitor for instance. It obviously doesn't beat a laptop but it's cool that this is possible.
Some people may only have two destinations : home and work and both likely already have a monitor and accessories ready at the moment. Duh.
Wow I am way too broke for this but man I love this video thanks for making it and uploading frequently too❤
Thanks man, I appreciate that 👊
That “Power button” is actually that power button on the back of every PC case from 2000s!
Power button on my pc is on the top of the case. Even if it as on the back, I don't get your point. It's not on the back of the Mac Mini.
@@PatrickRambles i mean back in the day PCs had a main power switch there at the back of the case.
@youtubesurfer1533 so a switch, not a button.
More like Based Model, amiright?!
Yessir!
Puts the ports on the front and the power button on the bottom
gutted that the Yen is so crap right now.
I bought the original Mac Mini G4 in 2005 for $499 and that was 49,800 yen over here.
The new Mac Mini M4 is $599 and yet the cost here is 98,000 yen. Basically the price over here has doubled while the price in the US has gone up by only 25%
That sucks man. Prices here in Europe aren't much better.
Do you have tariffs on US computers?
Great video! Thanks Patrick! I kind of want to trade in my M1 MacBook for this!
Thanks! If you don't need the portability, it might not be a bad idea at all.
Belgium internet is the Autobahn of internet 😂
$800 for 2TB SSD is highway robbery.
Not better value than the m1 air, but it's so good I'll upgrade to it from/ in addition for my air
The M4 Mini blows the M1 Air out of the water in every single way (apart from the built in screen and keyboard).
If the power button placement is bothering people this much, then don’t buy it! Steve Jobs said it best! The market will ultimately dictate if we did a good job and the product is successful or not. So Apple seems to be selling one hell of a lot of Mac mini’s right now! Much like the charging port on the Magic Mouse that people plug in overnight every two months it’s a non issue. The people bitching the most about this crap usually have no intention of buying these products anyway!
Apple has brought out a few disappointing products this year, the mini is not one of them. Another great review, thank you.
Agreed, this does make up for a few things. Edit : thanks for the kind words :)
@ compared to other reviewers you are impartial and don’t claim that every product Apple makes is great. You present both sides of the story, which is refreshing.
I'm telling people pay the extra for 512.. As for some reason it's twice as fast. And don't ask me why..I tested tt several times..
Probably has to do with memory swap. Apple has unified memory so when you run out of RAM, it will use some of the storage as memory (poor explanation but that's the gist of it). Lower storage models therefore could slow down under heavy load.
Gunssssss 💪🏽
small cute and powerful
If apple had thought ahead they could have drilled holes in the Apple display base so the power cable on the new M4 mini could actually stand on the base plate as demonstrated here (BUT they didn't!!?)
4:25 all you need is a monitor 😭😭
Someone should design a little plastic lever tab that lets you turn it on without lifting it. 3D print designers, here is a project for you.
I've seen designs floating around already!
And if you don't have the peripherals for your US$ 599 Mac Mini, you just have to spend US$ 1.950 + taxes more for your Apple keyboard, mouse pad, mouse and monitor.
You people always will find something to nag about, won't you 😂
Why get Apple brand peripherals. There are plenty of affordable options from different brands.
@@_TT90 I will be reusing my Apple wired extended keyboard, my Apple mouse, (AND a wired MS Mouse as a backup for when the Apple Mouse goes flat), also my 4K 32 inch curved Phillips screens (x2) via HDMI. And lastly, my 2 x Satachi 4 port USB-C hubs. Apple tells me I can use an old iPhone as a camera as well? Any suggestions for setting it up? Why a wired KB? Because I got sick of the Bluetooth keyboard constantly losing connection. My Satachi VESA mounting bracket can't be reused 😞
I just picked up a 32” 4k viewsonic for $400 for my Mac Mini. Apple displays are too rich for my blood!
Nobody is losing their head! It’s a good upgrade, that’s it…
Thanks John, where would we be without your sobering analysis.
Wow, I don't believe you reviewers are giving Apple free marketing. They don't have to spend a dime on marketing when it comes to this computer. I hope they are compensating you for this free marketing. It will be interesting to see the sales at the end of the quarter.
If they'd be compensating us, it wouldn't be free marketing.
Patrick, your studio looks amazing! Nice design choices! Nice work on the video too.
Thanks so much!
Its too bad Apple couldn't bring back the keyboard power button like in the 1990s
Control-Option-Command-Power button* or Control-Option-Command-Media Eject
Doesn't work on keyboards with touch ID, but you can use that to put the Mac to sleep (which I prefer)
Meh. It would be a great PC if I hadn't already begun to move to Windows these past fews months. Largely because my mac is old (Mac mini 2018) and my laptops are mostly windows because I need full MS Office compatibility (it's a lot better now, but at conferences I still see problems due to people using macs/mac versions). Plus I'm a casual-ish gamer and that's a lot better on Windows.
Out of curiosity, what office functionality are you missing on the Mac? I hear ya on the gaming. I use a PC for that too.
@@PatrickRambles mostly PowerPoint compatibility. Over the years, it's been the minot embarrassment with some things not working quite right. Eg embedded media types. It's probably better now, but I thought that the last time too. I've been back and forth with windows and Mac, and they're generally much the same.
2026…Apple releases a new powerful MAC mini with a power button conveniently located on the front, easy to access.