Mac mini M4 review: mini size, maxi wow!

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As rumors suggested, Apple had indeed reserved some surprises for the end of 2024. During the last week of October, the brand unveiled a series of new computers inaugurating the latest range of M4 chips. Among them, the Mac mini is by far the most affordable, but also the most original.

Apple has indeed reduced the dimensions of its small desktop computer. Barely larger than an Apple TV, it nevertheless contains one of the most powerful chips in the company (and on the market), generous connectivity considering its size as well as improved connectivity. The nice surprise comes from its price: the Mac mini 2024 edition is available from just 699 euros.

This pricing positioning clashes with Apple's habits. Obviously, we wanted to know if there was a catch. Spoiler: there isn't one, the Mac mini is the most interesting desktop computer of the moment. And we'll explain why after a few days of use.

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Before getting into the heart of the matter, we thought it was a good time to take stock of Apple Intelligence, the AI ​​that promises to revolutionize the use of Apple machines. Like the latest iPhones and iPads, the new Macs are ready to welcome Apple Intelligence… in the United States.

In France, AI is still not available. Apple has however indicated that its AI will arrive in certain European countries (including France), as early as April 2025.

While this absence is notable for a launch, it is less prohibitive in the case of Macs. Since Apple computers do not fall within the scope of DMA, they can already integrate Apple Intelligence thanks to a simple manipulation that does not require reconfiguring the entire machine. On the other hand, you must agree to use a computer in English.

To benefit from Apple Intelligence on a compatible Mac in France, just change the system language and Siri language to US English. Then, you just have to register from the settings and the features will arrive automatically.

For now, they remain very limited. Optimizations related to text summarization or transcription are available, but only in English. Improved Siri is also part of it, but without ChatGPT. We will have to wait for the macOS Sequoia 15.2 update to see the arrival of OpenAI AI. But again, everything will be limited to English until April 2025. So the AI ​​revolution will have to wait a little longer at Apple. You have been warned.

Its ultra-compact format

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The Mac mini has never lived up to its name so well. Smaller than ever, it looks like an Apple TV that ate a Mac Studio. You don't have the reference& nbsp;? Imagine a 5-inch square aluminum case with rounded corners, a height of 2 inches, and a weight of just 1.5 pounds. That's the Mac. mini M4. An ultra-compact machine that fits elegantly and discreetly on any desk.

The world's first carbon-neutral desktop computer #8217;business, the Mac mini can fit anywhere.Seduced by its elegant lines and industrial finishes, we chose to leave it prominently displayed on our desk. But its small size allows it to be hidden under any small screen support to make it completely invisible. There is no doubt that accessory makers will also offer solutions to fix it directly behind a monitor or under a desk.

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We recommend, however, that those opting for discretion do not forget to choose locations that allow air to circulate. The Mac mini, like any desktop computer, must have a comfortable space to let the heat produced by its M4 chip escape.

In any case, the design of the Mac mini is impressive. Apart from the location of the on/off button (see box), Apple achieves a flawless result.

Its generous connectivity

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Despite its ultra-compact format, the Mac mini integrates a sufficiently rich connectivityto not feel cramped. We are therefore delighted to see it equipped with 3 USB-C Thunderbolt 4 ports on the back (Thunderbolt 5 for the M4 Pro versions) as well as two USB-C ports on the front (USB 3.0). It also includes an Ethernet port and an HDMI port on the back. Enough to see it coming, even if some will regret the absence of a USB-A port or SD card slot. Space constraints would undoubtedly have forced the engineers to make more annoying sacrifices on a daily basis.

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Indeed, we only had to connect a dongle with an additional connector package (sold for around thirty euros) on one of the available USB-C ports. From rich, the connectivity has become very rich.

Finally, with its WiFi 6E and Bluetooth 5.3 compatibility, the Mac mini meets current standards. The most fussy will probably regret the absence of WiFi 7, especially on a machine intended to last several years.

Its performance is barely believable for such a machine

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How can such a small machine, sold at this price, meet so many needs ? This is our reaction when we discovered the power delivered by the Mac mini M4.

The new M4 chip has a lot to do with it, of course. Composed of a 10-core CPU and GPU associated with a 16-core NPU (for AI), it comes with 16 GB of unified memory and 256 GB of storage (for the base configuration). Our test model accommodates 512 GB of storage.

Apple claims that the CPU and GPU of this chip are twice as fast (1.8 times for the CPU and 2.2 times for the GPU) as the previous generation. The NPU, itself, is said to be 3 times more efficient. Although we don't usually mess around with benchmarking software, we still wanted to know if Apple was telling the truth, as the promise seemed so grandiose to us.

We were therefore shocked again when we discovered that Apple's estimates turned out to be entirely accurate. In practical terms, how do these results translate into everyday life??

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First, loading applications, including the most resource-intensive ones, operates much more quickly. Multitasking is also smoother, as is using the Office suite. Nothing extraordinary, some will say, an iPhone is now capable such feats. It's true.

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The Mac mini reveals its full potential with advanced software, normally requiring configurations sold for well over 1,000 euros. Editing photos in RAW format on Lightroom for example is much faster. Apple promises a processing speed almost 7 times faster than the latest Mac mini under Intel. If we did not take a stopwatch to verify it, we can assure that the performance gain is significant.

The contributions of the M4 chip are felt even more in two aspects: artificial intelligence and gaming. In the first case, the transcription speed is simply impressive. Depending on the applications used, it is around 10 to 13 times faster than an Intel Mac mini and 1.3 times faster than an M2 model.

In-game, the gains are more or less similar. The Mac mini is thus able to run AAA games from the App Store with remarkable graphic quality. Problem: these games are still too rare on Apple machines, so the Mac mini, like all Apple computers, cannot be recommended to a gamer profile. Too bad, because the power is definitely there.

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The excellent performance of the Mac mini is all the more impressive that its ventilation is very quiet. We even thought it didn't have one. To avoid overheating and make the fan as discreet as possible, engineers had to be extra inventive in order to maintain a high level of performance without carbonizing the components.

The new architecture of the Mac mini therefore allows heat to be dissipated from below. Since Apple does not detail its engineering secrets, we cannot provide you with further details on this unique design on the market. On the other hand, we can assure you that it works, provided that very demanding uses are limited to two or three hours. Beyond that, performance is automatically reduced (throttling) in order to maintain a decent temperature under the hood.

Although we have only very rarely encountered these situations, they have nevertheless arisen: during a prolonged session (about 2 hours) of photo editing, gaming and video editing. Uses which, if they are repeated, do not necessarily correspond to the target of the Mac mini. For creative professionals, for example, the Mac Studio is more recommended.

So, if we stick to the sole criterion of performance, the Mac mini M4 has no competition at this price level. After a few days of testing, we are left speechless in front of such a hint of power in such a small format for such an affordable price.

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While we praise the merits of impeccable design, we could not ignore the controversy surrounding the button on/off of the Mac mini. Barely announced that social networks were already seizing on this defect, with great blows of harsh criticism and other memes.

So, is it so bad placed this button? Quite frankly, yes. To achieve it, we have no choice but to lift the 8217;computer. A defect that would have undoubtedly provoked some anger in the late Steve Jobs. But let's not make those who have left us speak.

While the integration of this button leaves something to be desired, it doesn't really pose a problem in everyday life. We only had to use it twice: to turn on the Mac mini the first time, then to connect the Bluetooth keyboard (a double click is necessary).

Some will say that we only used it for a week and that we don't have enough perspective on the subject yet. The author of this review has been a Mac user for 20 years and can assure you that “a Mac doesn't turn off”.

Those who are used to Apple machines know that the very low energy consumption of Macs in standby mode means that they never have to be turned off. It is even recommended not to do so. Indeed, during these rest periods, computers update, index, and synchronize with the cloud.

So many tasks that occur each time you turn the machine on if you systematically turn it off. Not only does this waste time, but it also consumes more energy since the computer is fully on and functional.

Our conclusion is therefore simple: The location of the on/off button is not the most practical, but fortunately has no impact on daily use.

The price of additional options and accessories

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Is the Mac mini the best value for money for a desktop computer ? The answer is &#8220 ;yes, under certain conditions”. As usual, Apple charges a high price for the various options that allow you to improve the configuration of the machine.

Thus, memory or storage are billed at 230 euros per additional tranche. The price of our test version with 512 GB of storage therefore increases to 929 euros. The 10 Gigabit Ethernet port is also offered optional at 115 euros.

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If you want to equip yourself with the most powerful model, with 32 GB of memory , 2TB of storage and the port 10 Gigabit Ethernet, the bill reaches 2,194 euros. Are these prices intended to dissuade customers?? We will not draw this kind of conclusion, but will indicate everything Similarly, for 2,399 euros (200 euros more), you can get a Mac Studio with an M2 Max chip, richer connectivity, 32 GB of unified memory and 512 GB of storage. An alternative that is probably more in line with the profile of users tempted to boost the Mac mini to the point of nausea.

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Finally, let's point out that the Mac mini is delivered without a keyboard, mouse or trackpad. So you have to add these accessories to the bill for those who are not already equipped. Apple of course offers its Magic Keyboard, Magic Mouse and Magic Trackpad, now all equipped with a USB port -C. But there are specialists who also offer excellent alternatives, often more affordable. We are thinking in particular of Logitech, a world reference in this field.

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It's rare that we rate a product 10/10 on Presse-citron, but the Mac mini perfectly represents the exceptional character that we expect from 8217;a device technological.

Discreet and elegant, it impresses with the phenomenal power it contains in such a small format. Apple engineers have noted a real challenge in integrating a chip powerful enough to meet the needs of 99% of users, in a 13 cm side case. All while maintaining generous connectivity.

The most impressive thing is undoubtedly the price positioning of the Mac mini M4. At only 699 euros, it is impossible to find such a complete alternative, even by tinkering with your computer yourself.

Apple remaining Apple, the options allowing you to beef up the basic configuration remain expensive. Just like Apple accessories, sold separately. Not enough to dampen our enthusiasm, the basic version being largely sufficient for the majority of consumers.

Finally, the position of the power button remains the only little worm in the Apple. It is difficult to hold it against it as it remains anecdotal in everyday experience. “You have to know how to make sacrifices” said the other.

And the sacrifice here is very small compared to the overall proposition. Because, if we stick to objective criteria, what do we expect from the perfect computer? ? That it is efficient, that we can connect all our accessories to it, that it does not consume too much energy and that it does not take up too much space on the desk. Obviously, as good consumers that we are, we hope that these requirements do not cost us the sale of an organ. Guess what: the Mac mini ticks all the boxes.

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