The Mac mini 2024 has become one of the most interesting computers of this year, in which Apple has managed to combine several seemingly incompatible characteristics. Namely, compact size, high performance, and almost silent operation. With the release of its own M-series processors for laptops and computers in 2020, Apple was at the forefront of the ARM revolution. Instead of powerful but not very cost-effective x86 chips, the manufacturer started using its own energy-efficient Apple Silicon processors that did not require large cooling systems. This made it possible to create much more compact but still very productive systems. So it was interesting to see how the new chips would perform in Apple’s smallest computer, the Mac mini. What features it offers and how convenient it is to use, I will tell you in this review.
The editors would like to thank the Comfy store for providing the Mac mini 2024 for review
Mac mini 2024 specifications
| Processor |
10 cores: 4 performance cores + 6 energy-efficient cores 10 graphics cores Ray tracing with hardware acceleration 16-core Neural Engine AI accelerator Memory bandwidth — 120 GB/s |
| Memory | 16 GB of combined memory (Possible configuration: 24 or 32 GB) |
| Drive | 256 GB SSD (Available in 512 GB, 1 or 2 TB configurations) |
| Ports | Front:
Behind:
|
| Connection | Wi-Fi 6E (802.11ax), Bluetooth 5.3, 10/100/1000BASE-T Gigabit Ethernet (RJ-45 port), can be configured with a 10 Gigabit Ethernet module (Nbase-T Ethernet technology with support for 1 Gbps, 2.5 Gbps, 5 Gbps and 10 Gbps via RJ-45 port) |
| Audio |
Integrated speaker 3.5 mm port with extended support for high-impedance headphones HDMI port for multi-channel audio playback |
| Power supply |
Line voltage: from 100 to 240 V ~ Frequency: 50 to 60 Hz, single-phase current Rated power: 155 W Power cable 1.8 m |
| Dimensions | 12.7 x 12.7 x 5 cm |
| Weight | 670 grams |
| Color | Silver |
Design and materials
In terms of design and size, the new model is closer to the Apple TV set-top box than to the previous generation Mac mini. In the image below, you can see a size comparison and evaluate how much more compact the new version of Apple’s smallest computer has become.
If anyone cares, I made 2 visuals showing size differences between the Macs (and AppleTV)
byu/4paul inmac
As you can see, the height of the case has increased slightly, but the overall dimensions have decreased significantly.
The Mac mini 2024 measures 12.7 cm in width and length and 5 cm in height. The weight of the base model is only 670 grams, and the version with the M4 Pro processor will be slightly heavier – 730 grams. But in both cases, the size and weight make it easy to carry the Mac mini 2024 with you to the office and then back home if you’re such a fan of these mini PCs.
The design of the model is minimalistic, as in the case of previous Mac minis, and it is easy to recognize an Apple product. Even if you stick the logo on the top of the case.
The materials and build quality of the Mac mini 2024 are of a high standard. The entire upper part of the case is cut from a single piece of aluminum, and only the bottom stand and the cooling holes around it are made of plastic.
Expectations that the stand would have rubberized feet did not materialize; the Mac mini 2024 does not hold very well on the table surface and is very easy to move. So you should take this into account when connecting cables so that you don’t accidentally snag them and drop the computer to the floor.
The Mac mini 2024 doesn’t get dirty, and there are no fingerprints on it, except for the glossy Apple logo. There is a small LED indicator on the front panel that shows that the system is running or in sleep mode.
While Apple offers several color options for its laptops and a whole range of colors for the iMac all-in-one, the Mac mini 2024 has only one color option. However, third-party manufacturers already offer a lot of accessories, including stickers for the entire case and even protective cases. So if you want, you can change not only the color of the case but also turn your Mac mini into a miniature Mac Pro.
Finally, I’ll add a little bit about the infamous power button, which is really in a very strange place in the Mac mini 2024, and this would be a disadvantage if the computer needed to be turned on every day. But modern PCs and laptops from Apple don’t need to be turned off, they can be sent to sleep mode, in which they will consume minimal power.
Even with the power outage in Ukraine due to damage to the power grid after Russian shelling, when you really have to turn on the Mac mini 2024 several times a day, I can’t say that the location of the power button causes any negativity.
So I can’t blame Apple for this decision, especially since it has led to the emergence of a whole maker movement, where users create models for a 3D printer with various add-ons that should improve the operation of the Mac mini 2024 power button.
Ports and connections
To begin with, there are two USB-C ports on the front of the Mac mini 2024 that support the USB 3 standard and transfer speeds of up to 10 Gbps. Next to them you can find a standard 3.5 mm headphone jack. This port layout is quite convenient, as you can quickly connect headphones or some peripherals. However, an SD card reader is a must-have here, and it’s sorely missed.
There are more ports available on the back of the case, with three Thunderbolt 4 ports supporting USB 4 (data transfer speeds up to 40 Gbps) and DisplayPort, as well as HDMI and Gigabit Ethernet via RJ45.
The Mac mini 2024’s connectivity options are quite extensive, with three monitors simultaneously output via Thunderbolt: two with a total resolution of 6K and 60 Hz, plus one with a resolution of 5K and 60 Hz (or 4K/60 Hz, but via HDMI). However, you can also connect two monitors with higher resolutions and refresh rates: one 5K/60Hz and one 8K/60Hz via Thunderbolt, or 4K at 240Hz via Thunderbolt or HDMI.
In general, it seems like there are enough ports, but if Apple had added not only an SD slot but also at least one USB-A connector, even if it wasn’t the fastest, it would have been ideal. Unfortunately, even five USB-C ports probably won’t save you from having to keep a USB hub next to your computer.
The only thing more convenient is that, unlike laptops, this adapter can always be connected to the Mac mini 2024. Unless, of course, you plan to carry the mini PC with you.
I should also note that the first setup of the Mac mini 2024 can turn into a quest, because when you connect the computer to a Wi-Fi network, you won’t be able to connect a Bluetooth keyboard, and therefore won’t be able to enter a password. You’ll need a wired connection, and a USB-A port would be nice. It’s possible that the computer can detect Apple’s own keyboards and mice without any problems, but unfortunately, I didn’t have a chance to test it.
And since we’re talking about wireless modules, it’s worth noting that the Mac mini 2024 supports Wi-Fi 6E and Bluetooth 5.3.
Platform, performance and heating
At the “heart” of the new Mac mini is the Apple M4 processor with a frequency of up to 4.4 GHz, which in the basic version of the computer is offered in a 10-core version (4 productive, 6 energy-efficient cores) with the same 10-core graphics, a 16-core Neural Engine for artificial intelligence tasks and 120 GB/s memory bandwidth. As with the new Macbooks, which finally got rid of the basic 8GB of memory, the Mac mini 2024 also comes with 16GB of LPDDR5 RAM from the start, which is integrated with the processor, so there are no options for expanding it in the future.
Users should think about how much RAM will be enough for their work. However, even in the top-end version of the computer with the Apple M4 Pro processor, it will not be much more than 24 GB by default. You can order up to 32 GB of RAM for the three initial configurations of the Mac mini 2024, and 48 or 64 GB for the top-of-the-line model. However, you will most likely have to wait for such a customized version of the computer.
As for the built-in storage, the basic Mac mini 2024 has a fairly fast 256 GB SSD.
The older configurations have 512 GB by default, and all versions can also be custom ordered with more storage, with a maximum of 2 TB for the first three models and as much as 8 TB for the top-of-the-line model.
Speaking of performance, as with other Apple models with proprietary processors, the user gets more than one would expect from such a compact computer. The speed of the Mac mini 2024 is at a high level, even for more complex tasks involving a high load on the processor and graphics. For example, in the Cinebench 2024 rendering test, the Apple M4 processor demonstrates better performance in multi-threaded and single-threaded modes than the M1 Max, but is only slightly inferior in graphics.
This extends the capabilities of the Mac mini 2024 beyond photo editing and video editing to include developers and those working with 3D graphics. This also means that you can play modern games on it. I found quite a few titles on my Steam list that support macOS, I was able to launch the global strategies Civilization VI and Old World, but, for example, Counter-Stike 2 failed. This is despite the fact that the game allowed itself to be downloaded, but when it was launched, it asked me to download CS:GO and crashed.
However, you can find quite a few examples of games running on the Mac mini 2024 on YouTube. The best option right now is games that have already been ported to macOS and use Apple’s MetalFX framework to scale the image, which improves graphics quality and increases smoothness. These include Resident Evil Village and Death Stranding, which can already be run on the Mac mini 2024 with high graphics settings and 4K resolution at over 30 fps. However, the computer performs best when playing games at Full HD resolution, with Death Stranding running at 80-90 fps. As for games that have not yet been ported to macOS, you can try playing Cyberpunk 2077 or Ghost of Tsushima through the third-party emulator CrossOver, which at the same Full HD show fps at 40-50.
As for the cooling system, it is worth noting that the mini-PC is equipped with a single fan that draws and exhausts air through the holes on the bottom of the case. In normal office tasks, the cooling system remains inactive, meaning that the Mac mini 2024 is completely silent. During the week I tested the computer, I could hear the fan only once, when I played the game Old World.
After about 40 minutes, the Mac mini 2024 began to get warm, because the game loads the processor quite heavily, but the cooling system still did not turn on. The fan started working only after about an hour of playing, it turned on, worked for about 10 minutes, and then turned off again for 30-40 minutes. At the same time, the fan turned out to be quite quiet, it does not cause discomfort during operation. At least the cooling system does not block the sound of the built-in speakers in the Mac mini 2024.
Yes, unlike many mini-PCs, Apple’s model has built-in speakers. They actually play even with a hint of bass, but they’re not very loud and are inferior to the speakers in the latest MacBook Air, which was expected. However, when you don’t have headphones nearby, the Mac mini 2024’s speakers come in handy, as they sound better than the ones built into most monitors.
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