M4 Mac mini: The 2025 Creative Workstation You Need

For those embarking on a solo entrepreneurial journey with a single computer, the Mac mini M4, with its compact design and powerful performance, emerges as the top choice for Mac users in 2025. Whether you’re a student, creative professional, or business user, there’s a configuration to suit your needs. If you seek the perfect balance of performance and portability, the Mac mini M4 is your ideal pick.

1. Core Specifications

• Chip: Apple M4 (10-core CPU, 10-core GPU) / M4 Pro (up to 14-core CPU, 20-core GPU)
• Memory: 16GB starting, up to 64GB
• Storage: 256GB SSD starting, up to 2TB
• Price: Starting at $599 (education pricing from $499)

2. Review Insights

Apple unveiled the Mac mini M4 in October 2024, a mini PC that garnered widespread attention for its compact design and robust M4 chip, setting a new standard for value in mini PCs. Compared to the M1, the M4 chip offers 1.8x faster CPU performance, 2.2x faster GPU performance, and a 3x faster Neural Engine, excelling in AI tasks. Below is a summary of its performance, design, and user experience based on reviews.

Performance Breakthrough: Desktop Powerhouse

The M4 chip, built on TSMC’s second-generation 3nm process, delivers up to 1.8x CPU and 2.2x GPU performance improvements over the M1. In Cinebench 2024, the M4 scores approximately 2259 in single-core performance, outpacing the AMD Ryzen 9 HX370 by about 10%, showcasing its single-threaded dominance. While multi-core performance trails high-end PC processors, it excels in daily office tasks, video editing, and lightweight 3D rendering. For instance, editing 4K videos in Final Cut Pro is remarkably responsive, with impressive export times.

Design Upgrade: Compact and Practical

The Mac mini M4 measures just 5 x 5 inches (12.7 x 12.7 cm) and weighs 0.67 kg, earning its title as a “desktop stealth champion.” Front-facing USB-C ports make temporary device connections easy, while rear Thunderbolt 4/5 ports support 120Gbps transfer speeds and can drive up to three 6K displays. The removal of USB-A ports aligns with industry trends but may require additional adapters.

Ports and Cooling

The redesigned cooling system draws air from the bottom, circulates it internally, and expels it from the base. Combined with the M4 chip’s low power consumption, the Mac mini maintains cool operation even under heavy loads. The front features 2 USB-C ports (Thunderbolt 4), while the rear includes HDMI, 3 Thunderbolt 4/5 ports (Thunderbolt 5 on M4 Pro models), and an optional 10Gb Ethernet port, significantly enhancing expandability.

Use Cases

The Mac mini M4 caters to diverse scenarios: students can run Microsoft Office and MATLAB smoothly; creatives can leverage Adobe Photoshop and Logic Pro for professional work; small business owners can use it as a server or file-sharing hub. New macOS Sequoia features, like iPhone Mirroring and window tiling, further boost productivity.

✅ Pros

• Exceptional M4 chip efficiency, outstanding AI task performance, and low power consumption for extended use
• Thunderbolt 5 ports offer fast transfers, strong expandability, and support for three 6K displays
• Compact 5-inch square footprint, weighing just 670g, minimizes desk space

❌ Cons

• Base 256GB storage may require external drives, adding costs
• No USB-A ports, necessitating adapters
• Bottom-mounted power switch is slightly inconvenient

3. Popular Review Videos

YouTube Top Reviews

MKBHD: Focus on Mac mini M4 Performance, Value, and Real-World Use

• Overview: The M4 Mac mini, powered by the M4 chip, starts at $599 (~¥4000 RMB) with 16GB RAM and 256GB storage. Its compact design includes versatile ports (USB-C, HDMI, Ethernet), positioning it as Apple’s most cost-effective desktop. Ideal for office work, creative tasks, and light entertainment.
• Pros: Strong M4 performance for video editing and coding; space-saving design; diverse ports; efficient cooling; competitive pricing.
• Cons: Base 8GB RAM may limit multitasking; costly memory/storage upgrades; limited expandability (no GPU or internal storage upgrades); suboptimal for AAA gaming.
• Recommendation: Ideal for students, freelancers, light content creators, and small businesses. Perfect for budget-conscious users needing Apple’s ecosystem efficiency and portability.

Linus Tech Tips: Testing M4 in Productivity, Creative Work, and Daily Use

• Overview: The M4 Mac mini, with M4 or M4 Pro chips, starts at $599 (~¥4000 RMB). Its ultra-compact design and rich ports (USB-C, HDMI) target high performance at a low price for Apple ecosystem users.
• Pros: Robust M4 performance for video editing and coding; efficient cooling; compact size; versatile ports; high value.
• Cons: Base 8GB RAM may bottleneck heavy multitasking; expensive upgrades; limited internal expandability; less appealing outside Apple’s ecosystem.
• Recommendation: Recommended for Apple ecosystem students, creators, and small businesses seeking near-MacBook Pro performance on a budget. Great for portable desktop needs and seamless Apple system integration.

Dave2D: Focus on M4 Mac mini Performance, Value, and Testing in Daily Use, Creative Work, and Gaming

• Overview: The M4 Mac mini, with M4 chip, starts at $599 (~¥4000 RMB). Its compact design and rich ports emphasize performance and affordability.
• Pros: Stellar M4 performance rivaling high-end PCs; efficient cooling; budget-friendly; versatile ports.
• Cons: Costly memory/storage upgrades; limited expandability; weaker gaming performance.
• Recommendation: Suited for students, creators, and budget-conscious professionals needing high performance for office, creative, and light entertainment tasks.

Bilibili Top Reviews

Mediastorm: Focus on Value, Testing Performance, Cooling, and Daily Use

• Overview: The M4 Mac mini, with M4 chip, features a compact body and rich ports, positioning it as Apple’s best-value product.
• Pros: High performance for daily and professional tasks; low power consumption; excellent cooling; affordable price.
• Cons: Expensive memory/storage upgrades; limited expandability.
• Recommendation: Ideal for students, office workers, and light creators seeking efficiency on a budget.

Zhong Wenze: Focus on M4 Mac mini’s Versatile Applications, Testing Office, Entertainment, and Creative Scenarios

• Overview: The M4 Mac mini, with M4 chip, offers a compact design and rich ports, emphasizing value and versatility.
• Pros: Strong M4 performance; smooth operation; space-saving; low power; great cooling; budget-friendly.
• Cons: Costly upgrades; limited expandability; may require external displays for heavy loads.
• Recommendation: Perfect for students, remote workers, and light creators balancing portability, efficiency, and budget.

Geekerwan: Focus on Value and Performance, Testing Gaming Capabilities

• Overview: The M4 chip delivers robust performance in a compact body with multiple ports.
• Pros: Strong M4 performance surpassing same-priced PC mini hosts; low power; efficient cooling; great value.
• Cons: Expensive upgrades; limited expandability; gaming performance lags behind GPUs like the 780M.
• Recommendation: Ideal for budget-conscious students, office users, and light creators seeking high performance and portability.

4. Buying Advice

The Mac mini M4 is an excellent choice for budget-conscious users seeking high performance. It’s ideal for students, freelancers, and small business owners needing robust productivity at a lower cost. Opt for the 16GB RAM and 512GB storage configuration for long-term versatility. For users requiring top-tier performance, the M4 Pro model, with up to 64GB RAM and Thunderbolt 5 ports, is perfect for professional video editing or AI development.

• Tags:
• Hardware
• Apple
• Mini PC
• Review