Apple Shrinks Mac Mini, Adds M4 Power Boost in Major Redesign (apple.com)
(Tuesday October 29, 2024 @12:41PM (msmash)
from the pushing-the-limits dept.)
- Reference: 0175352871
- News link: https://apple.slashdot.org/story/24/10/29/1559248/apple-shrinks-mac-mini-adds-m4-power-boost-in-major-redesign
- Source link: https://www.apple.com/newsroom/2024/10/apples-new-mac-mini-is-more-mighty-more-mini-and-built-for-apple-intelligence/
Apple launched a [1]dramatically smaller Mac Mini desktop computer on Tuesday, powered by its new M4 processor and featuring ray tracing capabilities for the first time. The redesigned Mini measures just 5 inches square, roughly half the size of its predecessor, while delivering up to 1.8 times faster CPU performance compared to the M1 model.
The base version starts at $599, while the more powerful M4 Pro variant begins at $1,399. The M4 Pro model sports 14 CPU cores and 20 GPU cores, with support for up to 64GB of RAM and 8TB storage. It introduces Thunderbolt 5 connectivity, offering data transfer speeds up to 120 Gb/s. Apple has revamped the port configuration, adding front-facing USB-C ports and a headphone jack. The rear features Ethernet, HDMI, and three Thunderbolt ports, though USB-A ports have been eliminated. The new Mini supports up to three 6K displays with the M4 Pro chip.
[1] https://www.apple.com/newsroom/2024/10/apples-new-mac-mini-is-more-mighty-more-mini-and-built-for-apple-intelligence/
The base version starts at $599, while the more powerful M4 Pro variant begins at $1,399. The M4 Pro model sports 14 CPU cores and 20 GPU cores, with support for up to 64GB of RAM and 8TB storage. It introduces Thunderbolt 5 connectivity, offering data transfer speeds up to 120 Gb/s. Apple has revamped the port configuration, adding front-facing USB-C ports and a headphone jack. The rear features Ethernet, HDMI, and three Thunderbolt ports, though USB-A ports have been eliminated. The new Mini supports up to three 6K displays with the M4 Pro chip.
[1] https://www.apple.com/newsroom/2024/10/apples-new-mac-mini-is-more-mighty-more-mini-and-built-for-apple-intelligence/
16 GB memory (Score:2)
by kamapuaa ( 555446 )
I'm glad to see the base model starts at 16GB. I realize memory is faster, architecture is better, blah blah blah, but it's ridiculous that Macbooks start with 8GB RAM in 2024.
Now that you can put linux on it (Score:2)
by Budenny ( 888916 )
Now that you can put Asahi Linux on it, its starting to look like a very attractive package. Price not bad for what it is, too.
smaller? (Score:2)
People were already putting the last one in the fridge to get full performance because they made it too small to have adequate cooling. Now they've made it smaller, and made the processor more powerful, so you can throttle sooner for more money.
Re: (Score:1)
The larger version with better cooling is called 'Mac Studio'
Re: (Score:2)
Instead of making it smaller they should make it easier to repair/upgrade. I understand the RAM is built-in to the CPU, but the SSD could be an NVMe module.
Also I bet most people would prefer having an USB-A port instead of a fifth USB-C. I've never seen anyone using 5 USB-C ports at the same time.