Apple has officially introduced the redesigned Mac mini, now powered by the M4 and M4 Pro chips. This new model boasts a significantly smaller form factor, front-facing USB-C ports, and 16GB of RAM as the base configuration, among other enhancements.

Relocated Power Button

In a notable design change, Apple has relocated the power button on the new Mac mini. Unlike previous models where the power button was situated on the back, the new design places it on the bottom of the device. This means users will need to flip the Mac mini over or reach underneath to turn it on or off, a minor adjustment that is worth noting.

Enhanced External Display Support

The Mac mini has also seen improvements in its external display connectivity. The M4 Pro version can now support up to three external 6K displays at a 60Hz refresh rate. In comparison, the previous generation M2 Pro Mac mini supported two external 6K displays at 60Hz and one 4K display at the same refresh rate.

Here’s a breakdown of the display capabilities:

M4 Mac mini:
– Supports up to three displays: Two displays with 6K resolution at 60Hz over Thunderbolt and one display with up to 5K resolution at 60Hz over Thunderbolt or 4K resolution at 60Hz over HDMI.
– Supports up to two displays: One display with 5K resolution at 60Hz over Thunderbolt and one display with up to 8K resolution at 60Hz or 4K resolution at 240Hz over Thunderbolt or HDMI.

M4 Pro Mac mini:
– Supports up to three displays: Three displays with 6K resolution at 60Hz over Thunderbolt or HDMI.
– Supports up to two displays: One display with 6K resolution at 60Hz over Thunderbolt and one display with up to 8K resolution at 60Hz or 4K resolution at 240Hz over Thunderbolt or HDMI.

Dimensions and Design Changes

The new M4 Mac mini features a drastically smaller design compared to its predecessor. Here are the dimensions for comparison:

M4 Mac mini:
– Height: 2.0 inches (5.0 cm)
– Width: 5.0 inches (12.7 cm)
– Depth: 5.0 inches (12.7 cm)
– Weight (M4): 1.5 pounds (0.67 kg)
– Weight (M4 Pro): 1.6 pounds (0.73 kg)

M2 Mac mini:
– Height: 1.41 inches (3.58 cm)
– Width: 7.75 inches (19.70 cm)
– Depth: 7.75 inches (19.70 cm)
– Weight (M2): 2.6 pounds (1.18 kg)
– Weight (M2 Pro): 2.8 pounds (1.28 kg)

Braided Power Cord

The M4 Mac mini features an internal power supply, allowing for a single power cable connection to an outlet. A notable change is the introduction of a braided power cord, which adds a touch of durability and style to the setup.

Pricing and Availability

The starting price for the Mac mini remains at $599, which includes 256GB of storage and 16GB of RAM. The M4 model can be configured with up to 32GB of RAM and 2TB of storage, with an optional 10 gigabit ethernet upgrade available.

The M4 Pro Mac mini starts at $1,399, featuring a 12-core CPU and 16-core GPU, along with 24GB of RAM and 512GB of storage. This model can also be configured with a 14-core CPU and 20-core GPU, supporting up to 64GB of memory and 8TB of storage.

With these updates, Apple continues to enhance the Mac mini lineup, providing users with powerful performance in a compact design.