M4 Mac Mini - Watch This BEFORE You Buy...

The M4 Mac Mini offers a good balance of performance and affordability, but users should carefully consider RAM and storage options. While the base model with 16GB RAM is sufficient for most, intensive tasks might necessitate the M4 Pro. External storage solutions are recommended over Apple's expensive upgrades, and users should be aware of the inconvenient power button placement.

RAM and Storage

• 00:00:00 The M4 Mac Mini starts with 16GB RAM, which is usually sufficient for most users. While the option to upgrade later is unavailable, the performance difference between 16GB and 24GB is minimal in most scenarios. For users needing more RAM, the M4 Pro offers 24GB, but it is only necessary for very intensive tasks or specific programs.

M4 vs. M4 Pro

• 00:01:05 The M4 Pro Mac Mini offers double the CPU performance cores and more GPU cores compared to the M4 base model, resulting in noticeable performance improvements for CPU or GPU-intensive tasks. It also has more RAM and double the SSD capacity. However, the M4 Pro is only recommended if you intend to frequently utilize the CPU or GPU heavily.

SSD Upgrade

• 00:03:25 The 256GB SSD in the base model only offers 215GB of usable space, requiring users to consider storage upgrades or external solutions. While technically the SSD is replaceable, it is currently a complex process, and third-party upgrade options are not yet readily available. The author suggests using a high-quality Thunderbolt 3 enclosure with an NVMe SSD as a more cost-effective and flexible alternative to Apple's expensive upgrades.

Power Button

• 00:07:34 The Mac Mini's power button location is inconvenient, requiring users to physically lift the device to access it. This is especially cumbersome if the Mac Mini is placed in a tight space. While the power button is not used frequently due to the sleep mode feature, it still presents a design flaw. Users who are configuring a touch ID keyboard will need to press the power button twice during setup.

Peripherals

• 00:08:51 The M4 Mac Mini does not come with any peripherals. For mice, the MX Master 3S or Logitech Signature M650 are recommended. For keyboards, the Apple Magic Keyboard is the only option if Touch ID functionality is desired, but the Keychron A75 V2 provides a good mechanical typing experience with Mac OS compatibility. The author provides links to all mentioned accessories in the description.