Apple Unveils New Mac Mini with M4 and M4 Pro Processors

Apple has introduced a new generation of Mac mini, equipped with M4 and M4 Pro processors, marking a significant upgrade to the desktop computer. The new Mac mini boasts a redesigned appearance, the first since 2010, and a smaller size, measuring 12.7×12.7×5 centimeters.

The new Mac mini features two USB-C ports on the front, a 3.5 mm microphone socket, an Ethernet port, an HDMI port, and three Thunderbolt (USB-C) ports on the back. Users will need to provide their own screen, keyboard, and mouse to use the device.

The M4 Pro version of the Mac mini is a new addition, featuring up to 14 cores, including 10 performance cores and 4 energy-saving cores. Its GPU has up to 20 cores, making it twice as powerful as the M4 version. The M4 Pro version supports up to 64GB of unified memory and has a memory bandwidth of up to 273GB per second.

The M4 Pro version also boasts a Thunderbolt port on the back that supports Thunderbolt 5 with a maximum transfer rate of 120Gb/s, while the M4 version supports a maximum transfer rate of 40Gb/s with Thunderbolt 4.

Compared to the M1 version of Mac mini launched in 2020, the M4 version offers 1.7 times faster computing power in Microsoft Excel and 2 times faster speech-to-text speed in MacWhisper. The M4 Pro version also outperforms the M2 Pro version of the Mac mini, with 1.8 times the sound effect plug-in module in Logic Pro, 2 times faster rendering of dynamic drawings to RAM in Motion, and 2.9 times faster 3D rendering in Blender.

The new Mac mini is not only a powerhouse but also Apple’s first carbon-neutral Mac. It is made from 50% recycled materials, including a recycled aluminum body, recycled gold printed circuit boards, and recycled rare earth magnets. The device is also made using 100% recycled electricity, with low carbon emissions prioritized. The packaging materials are entirely fiber-based, making it a more sustainable option.

The Mac mini is available in two models, with the cheapest option starting at $599 (NT$19,900) and the M4 Pro version starting at $1,399 (NT$46,900). Pre-orders are now available, with shipping expected to begin in November.