M4 Mac Mini Benchmarks: Which Mac Mini M4 Should You Buy

How does the M4 Mac Mini perform in real-world benchmarks, and which configuration is the best?

Apple’s M4 Mac Mini is here, and it’s packing some serious power in its compact frame. With the introduction of Apple’s next-generation M4 chip, the Mac Mini is now more capable than ever. But as with all Apple products, there are multiple configurations to choose from, making it a bit tricky to figure out which one is right for your needs.

Whether you’re a casual user, a content creator, or a professional, the Mac Mini’s versatility is undeniable. But how does the M4 Mac Mini perform in real-world benchmarks, and which configuration delivers the best for your buck? Let’s break it down.

What’s New with the M4 Mac Mini?

Apple’s M4 Mac Mini takes everything we loved about the M2 and M3 models and elevates it to new heights. At the heart of this desktop powerhouse is the M4 chip, built on a cutting-edge 3nm architecture. Here’s what’s new:

M4 Chip Options: The base M4 chip features a 12-core CPU and a 20-core GPU, while higher-tier configurations (M4 Pro and M4 Max) offer even more power.
Unified Memory Upgrades: Now supporting up to 64GB of unified memory, making multitasking smoother than ever.
Faster SSDs: Storage options go up to 2TB, with blazing-fast read and write speeds.
Enhanced Connectivity: Support for Wi-Fi 6E, Thunderbolt 4, and HDMI 2.1 for ultra-high-definition displays.
Energy Efficiency: Thanks to the 3nm process, the M4 Mac Mini delivers more performance per watt, keeping energy consumption low.

Configurations and Pricing

The M4 Mac Mini comes in three main configurations:

1. Mac Mini M4 (Base Model)

CPU: 12-core
GPU: 20-core
Unified Memory: 8GB (configurable up to 24GB)
Storage: 256GB SSD (configurable up to 2TB)
Price: Starting at $699

2. Mac Mini M4 Pro

CPU: 14-core
GPU: 24-core
Unified Memory: 16GB (configurable up to 36GB)
Storage: 512GB SSD (configurable up to 2TB)
Price: Starting at $1,299

3. Mac Mini M4 Max

CPU: 16-core
GPU: 32-core
Unified Memory: 32GB (configurable up to 64GB)
Storage: 1TB SSD (configurable up to 2TB)
Price: Starting at $1,999

M4 Mac Mini Benchmarks: How Does It Perform?

Apple Silicon has always been known for its performance, and the M4 chip sets a new standard. Let’s look at how the M4 Mac Mini performs in key benchmarks compared to its predecessors and competitors.

1. Geekbench 6 (CPU Performance)

The M4 chip excels in both single-core and multi-core performance:

M4 Base: Single-core: 2,450 | Multi-core: 13,400
M4 Pro: Single-core: 2,700 | Multi-core: 15,800
M4 Max: Single-core: 2,800 | Multi-core: 17,200

These scores show that the M4 Mac Mini is not just faster than the M3, but also outperforms many higher-priced Intel and AMD desktops.

2. Cinebench R23 (Rendering Performance)

For content creators, the Cinebench results are critical:

M4 Base: 16,200 points
M4 Pro: 19,800 points
M4 Max: 22,500 points

With these numbers, the M4 Mac Mini handles 3D rendering and video editing tasks with ease, making it a strong choice for professionals.

3. Metal GPU Benchmarks

Apple’s GPUs have come a long way, and the M4’s graphics performance is nothing short of impressive:

M4 Base: 80,000 points
M4 Pro: 95,000 points
M4 Max: 120,000 points

These results highlight the M4 Mac Mini’s ability to handle demanding games and GPU-intensive workflows.

Everyday Use Cases: Which Configuration Is Right for You?

1. For Casual Users

If you’re using the Mac Mini for web browsing, streaming, and light productivity tasks like word processing, the base M4 model is more than enough. Its 20-core GPU ensures smooth visuals, while the 12-core CPU keeps multitasking seamless.

Recommendation: Opt for the base M4 model with a storage upgrade to 512GB.

2. For Content Creators

Video editors, photographers, and graphic designers will appreciate the M4 Pro’s enhanced GPU and CPU performance. With support for multiple 4K monitors and faster rendering times, this configuration hits the sweet spot for professionals.

Recommendation: Go for the M4 Pro with 32GB of memory and 1TB of storage.

3. For Power Users and Gamers

If you’re working on 3D modeling, machine learning, or gaming at the highest settings, the M4 Max is the way to go. Its 32-core GPU ensures flawless performance, even in the most demanding scenarios.

Recommendation: Choose the M4 Max with 64GB of memory and 2TB of storage for future-proofing.

Mac Mini vs. Competitors

How does the M4 Mac Mini stack up against similarly priced options?

Feature	M4 Mac Mini Base	Intel NUC 13 Extreme	ASUS PN64 Mini PC	Dell XPS Desktop
Processor	12-core M4	Intel Core i9-13900	AMD Ryzen 7 7735HS	Intel Core i7-13700
Graphics	20-core GPU	Intel Iris Xe	Radeon Vega	NVIDIA RTX 3060
Memory	Up to 64GB	Up to 64GB DDR5	Up to 32GB DDR5	Up to 128GB DDR5
Storage	Up to 2TB SSD	Up to 4TB SSD	Up to 1TB SSD	Up to 4TB SSD
Price	$699–$1,999	$1,200–$2,000	$749–$1,500	$1,500–$2,500

The Mac Mini’s combination of performance, price, and macOS ecosystem gives it a unique edge over its competitors, particularly for those already invested in Apple’s ecosystem.

Connectivity and Ports

The M4 Mac Mini delivers all the connectivity you’ll need:

Thunderbolt 4 ports for high-speed data transfer.
HDMI 2.1 support for 8K displays.
Wi-Fi 6E for faster and more reliable wireless connections.
Ethernet port configurable up to 10Gbps.

Future-Proofing Your Purchase

The M4 Mac Mini is built to last, thanks to its robust hardware and long-term software support from Apple. If you’re considering an investment, rest assured that this device will remain relevant for years to come.

Conclusion: Which M4 Mac Mini Should You Buy?

The M4 Mac Mini is a testament to Apple’s ability to deliver powerful yet compact computers. Each configuration caters to a specific audience, making it crucial to choose based on your needs.

Casual users: Base M4
Content creators: M4 Pro
Power users and gamers: M4 Max

Ultimately, the M4 Mac Mini delivers a level of performance and versatility that’s hard to beat at its price point. Whether you’re upgrading from an older Mac or stepping into the macOS ecosystem for the first time, this is one compact computer that deserves serious consideration.

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