Apple Mac Mini M4 / M4 Pro

If you're not entrenched in the world of Windows, are Mac curious, and want a desktop device, the M4 Mac mini (2024) is the best option out there. It improves on its larger M2 counterpart in nearly every way, including its sleek new design that looks nearly as small as an Apple TV and like a baby Mac Studio.

Every time I glance over at the new Mac Mini on my desk, it feels like the Mini’s ideal form. The redesigned enclosure makes the most of Apple Silicon’s small footprint, and with Apple’s M4 chip and an ample selection of ports, the 2024 Mini should remain a zippy, reliable computer for years to come. It’s never been more mighty. Well, except for the much pricier M4 Pro version.

Regardless of which configuration you choose, the Mac Mini continues its reputation as a great tiny desktop computer, especially for folks who are more choosy with their peripherals. The same problem remains: There's no way to upgrade the hardware down the road. Unlike traditional desktop PCs, you can't just swap out the CPU or add more RAM when you need it. You're probably going to keep this Mac Mini for a while, so kit it out accordingly.

The Mac mini M4 is more than an iteration on previous versions of Apple’s smallest Mac. Its redesigned chassis is absolutely tiny, the base model doubles the amount of memory that comes standard, the M4 chip is even better in a desktop and you now have ports at both the front and back of the device. If only Apple hadn’t put the power button on the bottom of the device, this would be a near perfect upgrade over the Mac mini M2.

If you're looking for a home office computer, a home entertainment machine or a system for live streaming, podcasting or other content creation, the M4 Mac Mini can do all that. You'll get the best of what MacOS Sequoia and Apple Intelligence have to offer in a tiny box and at a reasonable starting price.

Apple has outdone itself with its 2024 Mac mini, crafting a smartly redesigned micro-desktop that leads budget PCs on value in its lesser configurations, but can square up with the best at the high end.

Apple’s new smaller Mac mini gives up very little after being hit with a shrink ray, and the M4 processors deliver great performance at a reasonable price. But that all turns sour the moment you run into Apple’s predatory upgrade pricing.