Apple's new Mac mini is its smallest, uses M4 chip

Apple has unveiled the latest Mac mini, showcasing the most significant redesign of the company's compact desktop computer in years. It measures 5 by 5 inches, nearly the same size as the latest Apple TV, making it Apple's smallest Mac product. The Mac mini 2024 is powered by the new M4 chip, which Apple claims delivers up to 1.8 times faster CPU performance and 2.2 times faster GPU performance compared to the M1 model that debuted in 2021. Additionally, the new Mac mini includes Apple Intelligence support and comes with 16GB in its base model.

“Combined with the performance of M4 and the new M4 Pro chip, enhanced connectivity on both the front and back, and the arrival of Apple Intelligence, Mac mini is more capable and versatile than ever, and there is nothing else like it,” said John Ternus, Apple's senior vice president of hardware engineering.

Mac mini M4 price in India

The Mac mini featuring the M4 chip has a starting price of Rs 59,900, whereas the upgraded version with the M4 Pro chip begins at Rs 1,49,900. Pre-orders are currently available on the Apple Store Online, and the official sale will start on November 8.

Mac mini M4 specifications

The most noticeable alteration in the Mac mini is its significantly reduced size. In a video presentation, Apple revealed that the M4-equipped Mac mini is nearly the size of a person's palm. To better illustrate this, the Mac mini is comparable in size to the Apple TV. In numerical terms, it measures 5 by 5 inches but does not forfeit any features. Apple claims that the shrinkage of the Mac mini was made possible by the efficiency of the M4 and “an innovative thermal architecture, which directs air to various levels of the system, with all venting occurring through the foot.”

The Mac mini features two USB-C ports located on the front, alongside a 3.5mm audio jack. On the rear, the new computer is equipped with an ethernet port, an HDMI port, and three USB-C ports that have Thunderbolt capabilities. The Mac mini powered by M4 boasts a 10-core CPU and a 10-core GPU with 16GB of unified memory. It can handle up to two 6K displays via Thunderbolt ports. Those who require additional power for more demanding tasks can opt for the M4 Pro version, which includes up to 14 CPU cores, featuring 10 performance cores and four efficiency cores, and 20 GPU cores, providing double the performance of the M4 model. The Neural Engine found in the M4 Pro is also more than three times faster than the M1-equipped Mac mini. The M4 Pro model can support up to 64GB of unified memory and includes Thunderbolt 5, allowing for up to three 6K displays.