- Apple introduced a new generation of the popular Mac mini
- The computer has undergone a complete redesign, it is now smaller and lighter
- It was possible to assemble the powerful components inside, Frthe port equipment was also changed
- The price on the Czech market starts at 17,490 crowns
The premiere of new computers from Apple continues for several days tonight. After yesterday’s unveiling of the next generation iMac computer, tonight we were treated to a brand new Mac mini. In his case, it is a more significant upgrade, because in addition to new processors from the Apple M4 family, this computer also received a brand new design.
Mac mini: small but smart
The new Mac mini lives up to its name. The previous generation was already a truly miniature computer in terms of dimensions, and the current model goes even further – it basically looks like a scaled-down Mac Studio, in every way. Mac mini still has the shape of an elegant aluminum cuboid with rounded corners, its floor plan dimensions have shrunk from the original 19.7 x 19.7 cm to 12.7 x 12.7 cm. The weight then dropped from 1.2 kg to 0.67–0.73 kg (depending on the configuration). The increase is noticeable only in height, from the original 3.6 to 5 cm.
Mac mini received a redesigned design
Apple will only offer the new Mac mini in silver, with several basic specifications to choose from, which can then be modified in the configurator. However, it is important to choose well the first time, because an additional upgrade is not possible.
Apple M4 or M4 Pro?
The Mac mini will be available with two different processors:
- Apple M4 – 10-core processor (4 powerful cores and 6 efficient cores), 10-core graphics and 120 GB/s memory bandwidth,
- Apple M4 Pro – 12-core processor (8 powerful cores and 4 efficient cores), 16-core graphics and 273 GB/s memory bandwidth.
The latter processor will then be available in a more powerful variant with a 14-core processor and 20-core graphics.
Compared to the best-selling competing desktop computer of the same category, the Mac mini is supposed to be 6x faster and at the same time 20x smaller. Unfortunately, Apple once again juggles data when presenting performance to make the numbers look more impressive on paper than they actually are. Instead of a direct comparison with the last generation (i.e. the M3 and M3 Pro chips), it compares with the older M1 and M2 processors (without the Pro). The more powerful Apple M4 Pro enables compared to the basic M2 processor:
- use up to 1.8x more plug-ins in Logic Pro,
- render 2x faster animated graphics to RAM in the Motion application,
- render up to 2.9x faster 3D scenes in Blender.
Chip M4 Pro
Compared to the Apple M3 Pro, the intergenerational differences will of course be significantly smaller. However, the increase in the basic capacity of the shared memory is pleasing – it is now 16 GB, in the maximum configuration it can reach up to 64 GB. This is useful not only for ordinary work, but especially for using AI functions from the Apple Intelligence package. For its needs, Apple also strengthened the Neural Engine, which is supposed to be 3x more powerful than in the case of the Apple M1 Pro chip.
As for storage, the basic capacity is 256 GB, the maximum up to 8 TB – but in this case, prepare for draconian extra charges.
Connectivity: forget about classic USB-A
In the new Mac mini, Apple has significantly reduced the number of ports. On the front side there is:
- 2 × USB-C working in the USB 3 standard,
- 3.5mm headphone port.
At the back we find:
- 3 × USB-C (Thunderbolt 4 u Apple M4 or Thunderbolt 5 u Apple M4 Pro),
- HDMI,
- gigabit ethernet (upgradable to 10 gigabit),
- power connector.
The new Mac mini with the Apple M4 processor can connect up to three displays – two with 6K resolution and one with 5K resolution, all with a refresh rate of 60 Hz. The variant with the M4 Pro processor can handle up to three monitors with 6K resolution.
You can connect up to 3 displays to the Mac mini
Wireless connectivity is represented by Wi-Fi 6E and Bluetooth 5.3 standards, the new Mac mini also has a built-in speaker.
Prices and availability
The basic configuration of the Mac mini with an Apple M4 processor, 16 GB of shared memory and 256 GB of storage will cost 17,490 crowns on the Czech market, and Apple will charge 6,000 crowns more for double the storage. If you want to splurge, you can choose a model with a more powerful variant of the Apple M4 Pro chip in the configurator, with 64 GB of shared memory, 8 TB of storage and 10 Gb of Ethernet – but in that case, prepare 140,990 crowns.
You can pre-order the Mac mini today, it will go on sale on November 8.
Author of the article
Jakub Karásek
The New Mac Mini: A Slice of Apple Pie!
Well, well, well, Apple has done it again, folks! They’ve managed to shrink the Mac mini even more – it’s now the size of something you’d find in your pockets (if your pockets were actually tiny tech mausoleums). The latest iteration of the Mac mini has made its grand debut, boasting a redesign that makes it smaller, lighter, and ready for action on your desk or, let’s be honest, wherever it can squeeze into your cluttered life.
Small Enough to Hide from Your Ex
The new Mac mini has undergone a spectacular metamorphosis! It resembles a shrunken Mac Studio, because clearly, Apple wants to keep making things “mini” while simultaneously upsizing our bills. The dimensions have shrunk to an impressive 12.7 x 12.7 cm (for the record, that’s smaller than the average house cat) and weighs in between 0.67 and 0.73 kg. Basically, if you drop it, it won’t just make a dent in the floor – it might just bounce back as an adorable little paperweight!
Battery Life: A Powerhouse in Sheep’s Clothing
Now let’s talk power. The Mac mini is equipped with either the Apple M4 or the M4 Pro processor. And boy, do they pack a punch! Apple promises it’s six times faster than the best-selling desktop computers in its class and a whopping twenty times smaller. That’s like claiming your grandma’s knitting is more intricate than the entire tapestry of human history. Sure, let’s go with that!
- Apple M4: A simple 10-core processor – just enough for your casual social media scrolling.
- Apple M4 Pro: A 12-core beast – perfect for rendering your unmade bed three times faster.
Memory & Storage: Choose Wisely
Memory starts at a modest 16 GB and can go up to a rather dazzling 64 GB. Storing your “important” files? You’ll start with 256 GB but can expand to a whopping 8 TB — that’s enough space to hold every existential dread-induced Google search you’ve ever made!
Ports: A Bit of a Downer
But hold your horses, cowboys! What’s this? Apple has slashed the number of ports? Yes, once again, they’re proving that less is more. We’ve got a mere handful of USB-C ports (2 on the front, 3 on the back), and you’ve officially entered the realm of “forget about classic USB-A.” But hey, who needs to plug in a mouse or keyboard when you can fumble with Bluetooth connections while looking vaguely lost?
Price Tag: Not for the Faint-Hearted
Now, let’s address the elephant in the room: the price. Starting at a jaw-dropping 17,490 crowns on the Czech market, that’s the price of a luxury holiday… to the kettle and back if you’re a budgeter. And if you dare to push it with upgrades, you could find yourself parting with 140,990 crowns for the all-singing, all-dancing model complete with top-of-the-line specs. I mean, at that point, might as well throw in a lifetime supply of Apple care along with it!
Conclusion: Is it Worth It?
The new Mac mini is here, and it’s definitely cute—if computers can be called cute. It’s fast, efficient, and small enough to hide in your sock drawer (but still cost you a fortune). So if you fancy trading a kidney for efficient computing power, then limber up to make that pre-order before it goes live on November 8.
Remember, folks, if your tech can fit in your pocket, but the price tag throws your budget out of it, it’s definitely an Apple product!
– Commentary by your favourite comedy crew, channeling a bit of Jimmy Carr and the delightful madness of Lee Evans.
- Apple has unveiled the latest generation of its beloved Mac mini desktop computer
- The device features a complete redesign that makes it both smaller and lighter than its predecessor
- The restructured interior accommodates powerful components, and the port configuration has been thoughtfully revamped
- In the Czech market, the entry price begins at 17,490 crowns
The excitement surrounding Apple’s new computer lineup continues for several days as they rolled out the next-generation iMac just yesterday. Tonight, the spotlight shifts to the newly designed Mac mini, which boasts significant enhancements, including advanced processors from the Apple M4 family and a sleek, modern aesthetic that sets it apart.
Mac mini: small but smart
The latest Mac mini truly embodies its name. Building on the already compact size of its predecessor, this iteration takes miniaturization further. It resembles a shrunken Mac Studio, bringing stylish engineering to a new level. The updated Mac mini retains the familiar elegant aluminum cuboid shape with rounded corners, but its footprint has dramatically reduced from the previous 19.7 x 19.7 cm to a mere 12.7 x 12.7 cm. The weight has also dropped significantly, from 1.2 kg to a mere 0.67–0.73 kg depending on which configuration you select, while the height has increased slightly from 3.6 to 5 cm.
Available only in silver, the new Mac mini comes with a range of base specifications that users can modify according to their needs. It’s essential to make the right choice initially, as additional upgrades are not offered post-purchase.
Apple M4 or M4 Pro?
The new Mac mini will be offered with a choice of two powerful processors: the Apple M4 and the Apple M4 Pro.
- Apple M4 – featuring a 10-core processor with 4 powerful cores and 6 efficient cores, alongside a 10-core graphics unit and capable of 120 GB/s memory bandwidth.
- Apple M4 Pro – sporting a robust 12-core processor with 8 powerful cores and 4 efficient cores, this variant comes with a 16-core graphics unit and a significantly higher memory bandwidth of 273 GB/s.
For those seeking even greater capability, the M4 Pro can be enhanced with an additional 14-core processor and 20-core graphics option.
When stacked against its top-selling competitors in the desktop market, the new Mac mini is claims to be six times faster while being an astounding twenty times smaller. Apple’s performance metrics tend to be selective, focusing on older comparisons to enhance the impressiveness of their data presentation. The M4 Pro processor, for example, allows for:
- 1.8 times the number of plug-ins to be utilized in Logic Pro,
- Rendering animated graphics to RAM at twice the speed in Motion,
- 3D scenes in Blender being rendered up to 2.9 times faster.
The leap in performance from the M3 Pro will naturally be less pronounced, yet the shared memory capacity increase is commendable—starting from an impressive 16 GB and expandable up to 64 GB, which is particularly advantageous for utilizing AI capabilities from Apple’s Intelligence suite. Notably, the Neural Engine has been upgraded, promising three times the power of the one found in the Apple M1 Pro chip.
Storage options begin at 256 GB, with a maximum capacity reaching as high as 8 TB—though this will incur substantial additional fees.
Connectivity: forget about classic USB-A
This iteration of the Mac mini sees a reduction in port variety. On the front, users will find:
- 2 × USB-C ports functioning under the USB 3 standard,
- A 3.5mm headphone jack.
The rear hosts a more diverse connection palette, featuring:
- 3 × USB-C ports (with Thunderbolt 4 on the Apple M4 or Thunderbolt 5 on the M4 Pro),
- An HDMI output,
- Gigabit Ethernet (which can be upgraded to 10 gigabit),
- A power connector.
Notably, the base model featuring the Apple M4 processor can support multiple displays: up to three monitors—two at 6K resolution and one at 5K, all with a stable refresh rate of 60 Hz. Meanwhile, the M4 Pro variant can drive three 6K displays simultaneously.
Wireless connectivity is also a highlight, integrating the latest Wi-Fi 6E and Bluetooth 5.3 standards, complemented by a built-in speaker in the new Mac mini.
Prices and availability
The starting configuration for the Mac mini with an Apple M4 processor, comprising 16 GB of shared memory and 256 GB of storage, will retail for 17,490 crowns in the Czech market. An additional charge of 6,000 crowns applies for doubling the storage option. For those willing to invest heavily, models featuring the Apple M4 Pro chip, with 64 GB of shared memory, 8 TB of storage, and 10 Gb Ethernet will be available at a staggering 140,990 crowns.
Pre-orders for the Mac mini begin today, with the official release set for November 8.
Author: Jakub Karásek
