Apple’s powerful new M4 chip brings high-efficiency desktop performance to the iconic Mac Mini.
Buy on AmazonIf you’re after a compact desktop that blends cutting-edge performance with nearly silent operation, the 2024 Apple Mac Mini with M4 silicon deserves serious consideration. It builds on Apple’s tradition of sleek design and low power draw, delivering significant gains in both CPU and GPU tasks over its predecessor, all without increasing size or noise.
Design
Visually, little has changed. The 2024 Mac Mini keeps the same minimalist aluminum unibody design Apple has refined for over a decade. It measures 7.7 inches square and just 1.4 inches tall, with a subtle Apple logo on top and virtually silent, fan-assisted cooling inside.
Cooling vents are tucked out of sight at the rear, and unless you’re pushing the machine with demanding creative work, you likely won’t hear the fan at all. The compact enclosure remains one of the most understated yet premium-looking chassis in the mini PC market.
The rear I/O is unchanged from the previous generation, with two Thunderbolt 4 ports, two USB-A ports, HDMI 2.1, a 3.5mm headphone jack, a 10Gb Ethernet port (optional), and the power connector. This setup gives the Mac Mini the ability to drive up to two high-resolution displays, one 6K via Thunderbolt and one 4K via HDMI, making it ideal for productivity and creative setups.
Internally, as with other Apple silicon machines, the RAM and storage are not user-upgradable. So you’ll want to buy the configuration you plan to stick with: options range from 8GB to 24GB of unified memory, and storage configurations go up to 2TB.
Features
The highlight of this Mac Mini refresh is Apple’s brand-new M4 chip, built on a second-generation 3nm process. Compared to the M2, the M4 offers:
- Up to 50% faster CPU performance
- A next-gen GPU with hardware-accelerated ray tracing
- A significantly more powerful Neural Engine for AI workloads
- Improved power efficiency for always-on, fanless tasks
This translates to near-instant app launches, smoother multitasking, and better performance in creative tools like Final Cut Pro and Logic Pro. And thanks to the integrated GPU improvements, light gaming and 3D rendering are now much more feasible without needing an eGPU or external setup.
The Mac Mini also now supports WiFi 6E and Bluetooth 5.3, making it future-proof in terms of wireless connectivity. Thunderbolt 4 support allows for high-speed storage, external GPU docks (via macOS-supported workflows), and multi-monitor setups, though limitations exist compared to discrete GPU desktops.
Performance
In real-world use, the 2024 Mac Mini (M4) punches well above its size class. Benchmarks show 30–50% improvements over the M2 model in both single-core and multi-core tasks. Applications like Xcode, Blender, and Affinity Photo benefit from faster compile times, quicker exports, and smoother workflows.
Despite its performance uplift, the Mac Mini stays cool and quiet, even under extended loads. Apple’s unified memory architecture ensures that RAM-intensive workflows, like editing large video files or running machine learning models, remain responsive and stable.
Gaming is still a secondary use case, but the integrated GPU handles Apple Arcade titles and less demanding Steam games (via macOS or crossover tools) more gracefully than before. Native Metal-optimized games run smoothly, and frame rates are noticeably higher than on older models.
SSD speeds remain excellent, with Apple’s NVMe-based storage delivering fast boot times, quick file transfers, and snappy app performance. However, keep in mind that the base model ships with just 256GB, users planning to install creative software or large project files should consider the 512GB or 1TB upgrade.
Final Verdict
Apple’s 2024 Mac Mini with M4 silicon is a triumph in compact desktop design. It takes a proven chassis and injects it with a meaningful leap in performance, better AI capabilities, and improved graphical horsepower, all while maintaining ultra-low noise and heat output.
That said, upgrade limitations and Apple’s premium pricing strategy mean you’ll need to choose your configuration carefully. This isn’t a machine you’ll pop open to add RAM or swap SSDs later.
For developers, digital creatives, and general users who value quiet, efficiency, and seamless macOS performance, the M4 Mac Mini is one of the best small form factor desktops available in 2025. Just be prepared to spend a little extra upfront to get the specs you need long term.