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Apple Mac mini M4 vs Apple Mac mini (2024) M4

Both are the same 2024 M4 Mac mini, so the real choice is memory and storage. The 16GB/256GB model covers browsing, office work, and light photo editing, and owners rate it very highly. The 32GB/2TB model is the one to buy if you keep large photo or video libraries, run virtual machines, or want the machine to stay comfortable for many years. Build, ports, and the M4 chip are identical; only RAM and SSD differ.

  • Choose the Mac mini M4 16GB/256GB if you work in browsers, Office, and light creative apps and store big files on an external drive or in the cloud.
  • Choose the Mac mini M4 32GB/2TB if you edit video, run VMs or Docker, keep a large local library, or want the longest useful life from one purchase.

Prices

  • Apple Mac mini M4: $649.00 at Best Buy (last seen Nov 10)
  • Apple Mac mini (2024) M4: $700.00 at Ricky Cell (last seen Nov 10)
  • Difference: the Apple Mac mini M4 is $51.00 cheaper than the Apple Mac mini (2024) M4 at the latest prices (Nov 10)
Apple
Apple Mac mini M4 10-Core CPU 16GB RAM 256GB SSD

Apple Mac mini M4

Apple Mac mini M4 10-Core CPU 16GB RAM 256GB SSD

4.9(1,576 ratings)
$649.00at Best BuyChecked 15 h ago
See all prices and details
Visit Best Buy

Store links may earn us a commission. Price via Klarna.

Pros
  • Same fast M4 chip and compact 5-inch design as the larger model
  • 16GB handles browsers, Office, Zoom, and light Photoshop well
  • Front USB-C ports and headphone jack are easy to reach
  • High owner rating for quiet, cool running
Cons
  • 256GB fills quickly with photos, video, or games
  • 16GB limits heavy video editing and many open VMs
  • Memory cannot be upgraded later
  • External SSDs become necessary for large libraries
Apple
Apple Mac mini (2024) M4 10-Core CPU 10-Core GPU 32GB RAM 2TB SSD

Apple Mac mini (2024) M4

Apple Mac mini (2024) M4 10-Core CPU 10-Core GPU 32GB RAM 2TB SSD

$700.00at Ricky CellChecked 15 h ago
See all prices and details
Visit Ricky Cell
Pros
  • 32GB keeps many apps, browser tabs, and VMs open without slowdown
  • 2TB holds large photo and video projects locally
  • 10-core GPU helps with rendering and GPU-accelerated apps
  • Same tiny chassis and port layout as the base model
Cons
  • Costs considerably more than the base model
  • Most shoppers never use 32GB, so the extra memory sits idle
  • Still no internal upgrades after purchase
  • Overkill for web, email, and streaming

What separates them

Apple Mac mini M4Apple Mac mini (2024) M4
Memory16GB unified memory, enough for everyday multitasking32GB unified memory, double the headroom for heavy apps
Storage256GB SSD, small for local libraries2TB SSD, roughly eight times the space
Chip and GPUM4 10-core CPU with base GPUM4 10-core CPU with 10-core GPU
Ports and designSame 5x5 inch chassis, front USB-C, headphone jack, Thunderbolt, HDMI, EthernetSame 5x5 inch chassis, front USB-C, headphone jack, Thunderbolt, HDMI, Ethernet
Software and AImacOS with Apple Intelligence, iPhone Mirroring, HandoffmacOS with Apple Intelligence, iPhone Mirroring, Handoff
Upgrade pathRAM is soldered; storage can be extended only externallyRAM is soldered; the larger SSD delays any need for external drives
Best fitGeneral home and office desktopCreative and developer workstation

Price history

  • Apple Mac mini M4: lowest $649.00 on Nov 11 at Best Buy.
  • Apple Mac mini (2024) M4: lowest $700.00 on Nov 11 at Ricky Cell.

Prices at every store

Apple Mac mini M4

  • Best BuyNew

    In stock

    $649.00Free shippingChecked 15 h ago
    Visit Best Buy
  • Ricky CellNew

    In stock

    $700.00Checked 15 h ago
    Visit Ricky Cell
  • MercariNew

    In stock

    $899.99Free shippingChecked 15 h ago
    Visit Mercari
  • WalmartNew

    In stockSold by 6AVE Electronics

    $929.95Free shippingChecked 15 h ago
    Visit Walmart

Store links may earn us a commission. Some prices via Klarna.

All 11 stores and price history →

Apple Mac mini (2024) M4

  • Ricky CellNew

    In stock

    $700.00Checked 15 h ago
    Visit Ricky Cell
  • Best BuyRefurbished

    Availability unknown

    $1,099.99Free shippingChecked 15 h ago
    Visit Best Buy
All 2 stores and price history →

Specs compared

SpecApple Mac mini M4Apple Mac mini (2024) M4
Operating SystemMac OSMac OS
Number Of Cores10-core10-core
ColorBlack, SilverBlack, Silver
Hard Drive TypeSolid State DriveSolid State Drive
Installed Memory16 GB RAM, 24 GB RAM, 32 GB RAM16 GB RAM, 24 GB RAM, 32 GB RAM

What reviewers say

Apple Mac mini M4

  • 4.9 / 51,576 ratings

Owners rate it very highly, praising the M4 speed, the small size and near-silent running. Most complaints are about the base storage and memory being fixed and easy to outgrow.

What people mention
  • PerformancePraisedOwners say the M4 chip keeps apps snappy and handles photo and video work well.
  • SizePraisedReviewers like the 5-inch square body that sits under a monitor or on a small desk.
  • NoisePraisedPeople report it stays quiet even during longer, heavier tasks.
  • StorageCriticisedThe 256GB SSD is called tight, and buyers say it fills up quickly with apps and files.

Apple Mac mini (2024) M4

Owners and reviewers describe the M4 Mac mini as a fast, quiet, tiny desktop that handles demanding creative and development work. Most criticism centers on the bottom-mounted power button and the high cost of configuring more memory and storage.

What people mention
  • PerformancePraisedReviewers say the M4 chip handles video editing, code builds and many open apps without slowdown.
  • NoisePraisedOwners report the fan stays quiet during normal work and only becomes audible under long heavy loads.
  • Power buttonCriticisedReviewers dislike that the power button is on the bottom, forcing you to lift the machine to turn it on.
  • UpgradabilityCriticisedBuyers note memory and storage are soldered and cannot be increased after purchase.

Questions and answers

Is the 32GB model worth stepping up to over 16GB?
Only if you edit 4K or larger video, run virtual machines, or keep dozens of heavy apps open. For browsing, Office, and light photo work, 16GB is plenty and the two feel the same.
Which lasts longer?
Both use the same M4 chip and chassis, so hardware life is similar. The 32GB/2TB model stays comfortable with heavier software for more years, while the 256GB model may need an external drive sooner.
Can I add RAM or storage later?
No. The memory is soldered to the board. Storage can only be expanded with external Thunderbolt or USB drives, which is why the 2TB model matters for large libraries.
Do they perform the same in everyday tasks?
Yes. Web browsing, Office, Zoom, and streaming feel identical. The gap appears in video export, large Lightroom catalogs, Docker, and virtual machines, where 32GB avoids slowdown.
Which is better for video editing?
The 32GB/2TB model. More memory helps with multicam and effects-heavy timelines, and the larger SSD holds footage without external drives. The 10-core GPU also helps exports.
Is the 16GB model enough for a student?
Yes for essays, research, coding coursework, and Zoom. Students who run design suites or large datasets should consider the 32GB model.

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More comparisons

  • Apple Mac mini M4 10-Core CPU 16GB RAM 256GB SSD vs Apple Mac mini M4 10-Core CPU 16GB RAM 512GB SSD
  • Apple Mac mini M4 10-Core CPU 16GB RAM 512GB SSD vs Apple Mac mini (2024) M4 10-Core CPU 10-Core GPU 32GB RAM 2TB SSD