Apple Mac mini Desktop Computer with M4 Pro chip with 12 core CPU and 16 core GPU: Built for Apple Intelligence, 24GB Unified Memory, 512GB SSD Storage, Gigabit Ethernet. Works with iPhone/iPad

I've been a lifelong Windows user until now but became tired of how bloated and unstable it has become over the years, so I made the leap and got my first Mac. The experience has been a pleasure from start to finish. The machine is tiny and fits anywhere, runs completely silent unless under very significant load (e.g. rendering video/gaming), and has very fast Thunderbolt ports. I use my Mac for photo editing with Lightroom and Photoshop which run flawlessly, as well as editing 4K video with Premiere which does push the M4 Pro chip a bit if you layer multiple effects/masks or just generally create complex edits - I work around this by disabling some effects while animating masks, and keeping the playback resolution at no higher than 1/2 when the project gets more complicated. 4K playback is generally smooth at 1/2 resolution this way. Mac OS is equally a pleasure and part of what makes the Mac overall so satisfying to use. It's well-designed, very straightforward to use and incredibly stable. Mac OS manages ram very well from my experience and in my month of using the machine, I haven't experience a single program crash or "stop responding" as was so frequently the case with my Windows PC. My only major criticism of the Mac is how overpriced the internal storage is - for the amount you pay just to get an extra 256gb you can get a whole chip upgrade for a few extra pounds. The M4 Pro chip is a great midway point between casual and serious work - while it keeps up with my photo/video-centric work, I would not recommend it for any complicated 3D rendering. Asides from this, I have no hesitation recommending the M4 Pro mini if you're someone who is looking for a machine that can keep up with intermediate creative work.

Ten years since last buying a new Macintosh, I was forced to upgrade to maintain compatibility with online security demands. Having already a large investment in professional hardware and software, I was reluctant to shell out on a major purchase....since there are already many good pre-existing peripherals that could potentially be connected to a new machine. I was surprised to find that the MAC MINI 2024, though tiny, and relatively cheap, has excellent performance with its M4 Pro chip with 12 core CPU, 16 core GPU: 24GB Unified Memory, 512GB SSD Storage, and Gigabit Ethernet. It matches and maybe exceeds anything I have had before, with no complaints about speed, capacity, or RAM. The problem is always with the planned obsolescence of software, and almost all of my existing applications will not work in MacOS Sequoia. By updating and paying for a couple of utilities regularly used, I have managed to maintain continuity in internet access, and the Carbon Copy Cloner upgrade also performs as well as ever. This is not a major issue, since by swopping back some plugs, I still can use a Mac Tower Pro for all the heritage software. At some point I will back up a bootable copy of the complete system using Carbon Copy Cloner, to a spare partition on an external hard drive. Once tested and booted up correctly then closed down, one can then separately erase the MINI's SSD on restart to PARTITION the space in two, three, or more partitions, according to usage. This quarantines file storage from operating system, and each partition behaves as a standalone drive. The partitions do not have to be equal, MacOS does not use much space, unless designated as a 'scratch disk' for Photoshop. So....separate MacOS partition, separate Scratch Disk, and maybe two other larger partitions for work files. Finally CCC is re-employed to recreate MacOS on its own partition from the backup copy. This brings us to the issue of ports. An Apple Thunderbolt Display using Thunderbolt 2 plugs cannot connect directly with Thunderbolt 4 ports on the MAC MINI. With the correct adaptors one can still seamlessly use this older type monitor, and/or external hard drives. A bonus of this is that USB A memory keys can still be used in the display's port, whereas the MINI now only has USB C. This also goes for USB A keyboard and mouse (connected via the display). You can find this adaptor on Amazon.... https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0DCNXRH62 I find Sequoia's current Finder design and iconography rather flat and dull, with little of the crispness of earlier MacOS versions. This seems to be dumbing it down to the more simplistic level of the iPhone consumer market, in an attempt to harmonise the two types of products....with rather insipid results for professional users....especially designers. As a final recommendation, I point to this security mounting chassis for the MINI, which has proved to be very proficient in safely cradling the CPU, while enabling lockdown in several ways. I bolted four rubber feet to the baseplate to raise it further above desktop height, which aids cooling (though any slight fan noise is quietly discreet). https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0DNQJVCDB The rubber feet (25 x 19 x15mm) screws supplied but needs suitable bolts instead: https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0C8S84K2F

Excellent, performant machine. These are a great option if you want to take advantage of a pro chip at a lower entry point than a MacBook Pro. They are great, quiet compact machines and allow you to run three monitors. Some people complain about the lack of ports - and this may be an issue for some, but I don’t connect a lot of peripherals anyway, and haven’t done so for many years. Where peripherals might be an issue, there are a range of hubs that vary greatly in price and functionality - but can probably cover 99% of user needs. One thing to note, only Pro models support Thunderbolt 5. The standard M4 chip models support Thunderbolt 4. There are numerous reviews of these all over the Internet. Great machines, performant and offer excellent value or a great entry point for new Mac users looking for a compact workstation. When you consider the prices of iPad Pro for example - this wins “hands down”. A worthwhile device that suits the needs of most users with the base M4 model - and Pro chip options for those that wish to increase performance somewhat.

An awesome upgrade from the M1 mini. Fast and powerful. The only downside is that it does not pair easily with a 3rd party bluetooth keyboard. You have to use a USB keyboard to set it up. Bad oversight.

Very happy with my purchase. Been a lifelong windows user. This is much smoother and loads programs faster. I love the small form factor. But be warned there is a learning curve to get used to macos if youre coming from windows. Once you make the transition, its hard to go back to windows.

Absolutely incredible machine. The M4 Pro chip is seriously fast - handles everything I throw at it without breaking a sweat. The compact form factor is perfect, barely takes up any desk space. 24GB unified memory means smooth multitasking and the SSD is lightning quick. Ethernet port is a welcome addition. Apple have nailed it with this one.

I cannot recommend this thing any longer. It is impossible to deliver, from the back of an MP4+ mini, a TB5 connection, to anything, by any 6 inch tb5 wire. I have tried several, in several configurations, with nothing else involved. I feel ripped off. I could not access a sumsung in the base. i could not access a remote display. I could access remote USB devices, via the back USB ports, via a USB hub ... but then, that was more or less I could do before this expensive JUNK!

I have been running my business using a Mac mini M2 Pro 16GB for the latest year or so. Buying the new mini M4 Pro with 24GB RAM seemed like a bit of an indulgence - but I went for it anyway without knowing what to actually expect. The differences between the two minis are huge. The more powerful CPU and GPU configuration; more base memory; compact chassis; Thunderbolt 5 ports; enhanced display capabilities - I could go on. I am basically a business user who does a bit of photo editing and however many tasks I throw the new machine’s way - the MacOS Activity Monitor shows ‘memory pressure’ as a thin green line at the bottom of the scale. It doesn’t ever seem to get near swapping data held in RAM to disk - it is untroubled by my daily tasks. I use a CRM system for work, an accounts program, elements of Microsoft 365, Duck Duck Go browser etc. I think I’d have to be editing a cinema release movie for it to begin to ‘break into a sweat’. Amazing computer housed in a box 5” x 5” x 2”. Remarkable.

Brilliant, very expensive but you can rely on it