David Bridges
It is time for an M4 Mac mini vs. M2 Mac mini face-off. Apple’s littlest Mac obtained an improve this week, so let’s talk about what precisely makes it new.
The M4 Mac mini is right here and, true to its identify, it is a compact, desktop Mac pc that may match on any desk with ease. As you would possibly anticipate, it has been upgraded with a brand new M4 chip, however there are another modifications that differentiate it from the 2023 M2 mannequin.
Listed here are the variations between the M4 Mac mini and the M2 model from final 12 months.
M4 Mac mini vs. M2 Mac mini: value and specs
Beginning at simply $599, the M4 Mac mini is among the extra reasonably priced Macs, by advantage of not together with a show of any sort. Listed here are the specs you get for $599:
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256GB storage
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16GB RAM
Clearly, there are completely different variants of the M4 Mac mini, and people improve in value as you bolt higher specs onto it. Storage can go all the best way as much as 2TB, whereas RAM can go all the best way as much as 32GB. There are lots of completely different doable last costs relying in your configuration, however bumping storage and RAM all the best way up balloons the whole value to $1,799.
The M4 Mac mini is priced the identical because the M2 mannequin was at launch, so there is not any large benefit in that regard. Nevertheless, you’re getting a greater worth. For instance, the M4 chip is extra highly effective than the M2 chip. Plus, M4 homeowners get 16GB of base RAM (the M2 mannequin’s beginning configuration solely got here with 8GB). A more recent chip and twice as a lot reminiscence for a similar value just isn’t a nasty deal.
M4 Mac mini vs. M2 Mac mini: design
Whereas the inner specs aren’t too stunning nor out of this world, the M4 Mac mini has some noteworthy exterior design modifications.
M4 Mac mini connected to a monitor
Credit score: Apple
Most crucially, it is a lot smaller than the M2 mannequin. Listed here are the exact measurements for each machines:
M4: 2 inches x 5 inches x 5 inches (HWD)
M2: 1.41 inches x 7.75 inches x 7.75 inches (HWD)
The M2 mannequin may need been barely shorter from a top perspective, however it was a lot larger and extra cumbersome than the M4 mannequin. At 1.5 kilos, the M4 mannequin can also be a full pound lighter than the M2 Mac mini.
Sadly, the facility button continues to be on the underside of the M4 Mac mini. Why does Apple hold doing this?
M4 Mac mini vs. M2 Mac mini: Ports
Ports!
Credit score: Apple
The port state of affairs is the place issues get a bit extra attention-grabbing.
Consider it or not, there’s truly a definite benefit to getting the M2 Mac mini: It has two USB type-A ports on the again, whereas the M4 mannequin has none. That is actually the one benefit, although, as the remainder of the port choice on the M4 mini is stable:
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Two USB-C ports on the entrance
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Headphone jack on the entrance
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HDMI 2.1 on the again
For these taking rating, that is yet one more Thunderbolt 4 port than the M2 mannequin. Plus, you are getting HDMI 2.1 as a substitute of simply HDMI 2.0. As well as, the USB-C and headphone jacks have been moved round to the entrance of the machine on the M4 mannequin (they sat on the rear finish of the M2 Mac mini). That ought to be extra handy, ideally.
M4 Mac mini vs. M2 Mac mini: Efficiency
This one is difficult as a result of we have not truly used the M4 Mac mini but. Nevertheless, now we have examined the M4 chip contained in the iPad Professional, and it was extremely spectacular when it comes to efficiency and battery life.
Plus, the massive RAM enhance for the bottom mannequin ought to give it some efficiency enhancements over its M2 counterpart. When it comes to granular tech particulars, the M4 chip has 10 CPU cores (versus eight on M2) and help for hardware-accelerated ray tracing. That might make this a good gaming machine for the video games that really help Mac, if nothing else.
M4 Mac mini vs. M2 Mac mini: Which do you have to purchase?
At this second in time, it would not look like there are very many causes to get an M2 Mac mini over the M4 mannequin.
Barring any short-term reductions or impending value modifications we do not learn about but, the 2 computer systems value the identical amount of cash. Nevertheless, the M4 mannequin offers you extra port flexibility by shifting a few of them round, theoretically higher efficiency, and an entire new chip to play with. The one motive to get an M2 can be a big value drop or a determined want for USB type-A ports.
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