M4 vs M4 Pro Mac Mini Comparison

May 11, 2025

M4 vs M4 Pro Mac Mini Buyer's Guide

Introduction

  • Apple released the M4 Mac Mini two weeks ago.
  • Video serves as a buyer's guide to help decide between the M4 base and M4 Pro models.
  • Focus on whether RAM and storage upgrades are necessary given their cost.

M4 Mac Mini Overview

  • Size & Weight: 5" x 5" x 2", weighs 1.5 lbs.
  • Ports:
    • Front: 2 USB-C 3.1 ports (10 Gbps throughput), 3.5mm combo jack, status light.
    • Back: 3 Thunderbolt 4 ports, 1 HDMI, 1 Gigabit Ethernet, power plug discreetly located.
  • M4 Pro Model: Thunderbolt 4 ports upgraded to Thunderbolt 5, offering double the bandwidth (80 Gbps, boost up to 120 Gbps).

Configuration Comparison

  • M4 Base Model ($599):
    • 10-core CPU: 6 performance cores, 4 efficiency cores.
    • 10-core GPU, 16-core Neural Engine.
    • 256GB SSD.
  • M4 Pro Model ($1399):
    • 8 performance cores, 16-core GPU (6 more than base), same Neural Engine.
    • 512GB SSD.

Performance Analysis

Synthetic Benchmarks

  • Geekbench CPU Scores:
    • Single-core: M4 and M4 Pro have similar results, outperforming older models.
    • Multi-core: M4 Pro excels due to additional performance cores.
  • GPU Benchmarks:
    • M4 Pro's 16-core GPU shows a 33% increase in performance over previous GPUs.

Real World Tests

  • Lightroom:
    • M4 Pro significantly faster in exporting high-resolution RAW photos.
    • Base M4 performs well but slower, making M4 Pro better for large batches of images.
  • Video Editing (Final Cut Pro):
    • M4 Pro outperforms M4 in rendering and exporting, showcasing better speed and efficiency.

Recommendations

  • M4 Base Configuration ($599):
    • Suitable for everyday tasks and part-time creators.
    • Suggested RAM upgrade to 24GB ($799 total).
    • Storage upgrade optional due to external storage options.
  • M4 Pro ($1399):
    • Recommended for professionals using creative applications.
    • Consider additional RAM for larger projects and multitasking.
    • Optional 10 Gigabit Ethernet upgrade ($100) suggested for future-proofing.

Conclusion

  • The $800 price difference between M4 Base and M4 Pro might not be justified for most users.
  • M4 Pro offers more performance, but base M4 is adequate for typical use.
  • Consider individual needs and future use cases before making a purchase decision.

Let me know your choice of configuration in the comments. Subscribe for more content related to Mac Mini and accessories.

Full transcript