The M4 Mac mini has completely changed how I view all other desktops [Video]

 

1. Extraordinary form‑factor + advanced ports

The 2024 overhaul gives the Mac mini M4 a little 5 × 5 inch (approx 12.7 × 12.7 cm) impression. 

Wikipedia

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Wikipedia

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On the front: two USB‑C ports + a 3.5 mm earphone jack. On the back: Thunderbolt (4 for M4, 5 for M4 Master) ports, HDMI, Ethernet. 

Wikipedia

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Medium

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The estimate is beguiling — “dwarfed by a Mac Studio” numerous discover it, however it packs genuine control. 

ProVideo Coalition

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In other words: you get a full‑desktop involvement without the bulk. For somebody working in obliged space (like a domestic office or studio), that alone changes the mental show of a “desktop.”

Bonus: much obliged to cutting edge ports (Thunderbolt 5 on Master), future‑proofing for quick outside drives, different screens, etc. 

Kodjoe Arts

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2. Execution that punches way over its size

Reviewers found that for numerous “desktop” assignments (efficiency, imaginative work, light/medium substance altering) the M4 Mac mini conveyed distant more than you’d anticipate at its cost. 

Pete Matheson

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For illustration: one commentator utilized the M4 Pro Mac mini for requesting 4K altering workflows, “a 10‑minute arrangement of 60 UHD clips… effortlessly.” 

Kodjoe Arts

Even the standard M4 variation is profoundly competent. One analyst says: “The base M4 Mac mini is a no‑brainer … for a compact, high‑performance computer.” 

Pete Matheson

The upshot: numerous desktops that were “good enough” all of a sudden feel underwhelming; the benchmark has shifted.

3. Esteem suggestion – compact but premium

Normally, when you think of high‑end desktop execution you anticipate expansive towers, parts of cooling, tremendous control draw, parts of ports. The Mac scaled down M4 strips numerous of those burdens away.

Reviewers reliably depict it as “tremendous blast for the buck” particularly in imaginative workflows. 

ProVideo Coalition

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The differentiate: littler measure + tall execution + generally unassuming control draw. That combination makes me reconsider what I anticipate of desktops (particularly at domestic or for substance creation) — perhaps I don’t require a mammoth PC tower anymore.

 Where things are not culminate (and what you ought to watch)

No item is immaculate, and whereas this machine is amazing, there are trade‑offs to consider — which advance shape how we ought to see desktops now.

A. Harbour restrictions & center needs

The compact plan implies less I/O ports than bigger desktops. For case, a few clients filled all USB‑A/USB‑C ports rapidly with docks, drives, extras. 

Provide Coalition

If your workflow includes numerous outside drives, Thunderbolt peripherals, SD cards, etc — you’ll likely require a hub/dock.

Example: for overwhelming post‑production workflows the Mac Studio still beats it by advertising more ports. 

Provide Coalition

B. GPU / high‑end professional workloads

While exceptionally competent, the standard M4 may battle (or require compromises) for exceptionally overwhelming GPU‑bound errands (expansive multicam 8K timelines, overwhelming 3D work, etc). Gatherings note: “Base M4 Smaller than expected does a hell of a job… but GPU fair isn’t exceptionally powerful.” 

MacRumors Forums

In other words: for most imaginative workflows you’re secured, but if you’re a high‑end “studio tower only” kind of client, there’s still room for more.

C. Upgradeability & setup cost

Apple still charges premium overhauls (Smash, capacity). One commentator said: “The update estimating is a dazzling issue.” 

Pete Matheson

While the SSD shows up detachable in the teardown, it employments exclusive plan and Motherboard/SoC imperatives still firmly restrain DIY updates. 

The Verge

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Thus: arrange your config admirably up‑front for storage/RAM — this is ordinary Apple trade‑off, and matters.

D. Gaming / ultra‑high‑end workstation use

If your essential utilization is AAA gaming, overwhelming 3D recreation, or workstation‑level GPU errands, you might be way better served by a PC tower with devoted GPU. The Mac scaled down changes the desktop amusement, but doesn’t eradicate that course entirely.

Reddit string example:

“The M1 was fine with 4K. The M4 will be phenomenal with it.” — but moreover a few clients “Color me disappointed” almost mis‑expected execution. 

Reddit

Key takeaway: coordinate the device to the job.

 How this changes how I see all other desktops

After utilizing (or closely perusing approximately) the Mac scaled down M4, I’m moved in four major ways — and you might discover you’ll see desktops in an unexpected way too.

Form‑factor no longer pardons execution trade‑offs

In the past, “small desktop” implied compromises. Not any longer: this appears you can have compact physical impression and solid execution. That implies when I see at desktops presently, I inquire: is the measure advocated? Do we still require enormous towers?

Value/performance adjust resets

This machine resets what I anticipate for execution at a given cost. A desktop that costs essentially more but doesn’t provide at slightest what this does? I’d address it presently. It raises the bar.

User aim things more than crude specs

Because the Mac scaled down is so competent for “most” imaginative workflows, we’re entering a put where desktops are progressively specialized. There’s a huge contrast between “general creation/editing/power productivity” vs “heavy obligation workstation”. The previous is presently convincingly tended to by this. So when I assess desktops I center more on use‑case than “tower estimate / most elevated GPU / etc”.

Space, clamor, control draw gotten to be more relevant

The compact measure, proficiency, less commotion (concurring to commentators) cruel that desktops are being re‑defined: they don’t have to rule your work area, your room, or your control charge. That changes how I anticipate one to fit in domestic workplaces and little studios.