A New Era of Compact Power
The Mac Mini M4 Pro is arguably Apple’s most compact powerhouse today. Think about this for a second—an M4 chipset in a box that’s essentially 5 by 5. For those like myself who grew up in the era of Commodore 64 and Apple II and IIe and all that stuff, this is amazing. This is unbelievable, and the fact that Apple’s done it—I mean wow.
Comparing the Mac Mini M4 Pro and Mac Studio M4 Max
Bringing us back to 2025, Apple just announced the Mac Studio M4 Max. I’ve got the M2 Max version right here—not the M4 Max—but I got the MacBook Pro. And the base configuration of that Mac Studio compared to the price point of this M4 Pro is kind of like Apple clipped the wings of this Mac Mini M4 Pro version. So, if you’re kind of on the fence about which one to go for, we’re going to find out in this video.
Four Months of Real-World Testing
Now, this is kind of a long review because I’ve had this for the past four months and didn’t want to rush out and just repeat what others were saying. People say get the $599 M4 version—it’s a great buy—and indeed, it is. Think about it: an M4 chipset in a size like this for $600 is unreal.
Impressions from the iPad Event and Beyond
Last year, when I attended the iPad event in the UK where they announced the iPad Pro with an M4 chipset this thin, we were amazed by its power. Then came the iMac and the Mac Mini—more power-efficient, better performance. Then the M4 Pro version arrived, essentially a mini Mac Studio. My mind was blown.
My Configuration and Performance
Here’s my configuration: a 14-core CPU, 20-core GPU, 64 GB of unified memory, and 4 TB of storage—maxed out around $3,399 USD. It’s a mini Mac Studio, and I went for it to really push its limits. I’ve been using Final Cut for editing, DaVinci Resolve for color grading, and noise reduction and face refinement. It works flawlessly.
Editing, Photography, and Creative Workflows
I also do a lot of photo editing—Photoshop, Lightroom, Capture One, DXO Raw, Topaz Denoise, and Topaz AI. I push my machines hard. The M4s handle my day-to-day well, but when it comes to creativity, M4 Pro and M4 Max hit the sweet spot.
Portability and Practical Use
This has been my daily driver for four months. I took it to Malaysia last December while shooting a movie, and it fit right into my backpack. Plug it into a hotel TV via HDMI, and I had a full Mac experience—even editing photos and videos from my room.
Expanding the Experience: Apple Vision Pro and AR Glasses
You can even pair it with an Apple Vision Pro or Xreal One AR glasses for a compact workstation. With auto-login, just power on, wait for the chime, and you’re connected. It’s portable, futuristic, and lighter than my MacBook Pro M4 Max.
My Desk Setup and Storage
On my desk, I’ve got an Oracle Data Matrix under the Mac Mini, expanding storage and ports—CF Express, UHS2, mini SD slots, and more. With 10 TB extra plus my G-Drive (18 TB) and ZMA cube (20 TB), storage isn’t an issue. It’s practically an extended Mac Studio setup.
Comparing Prices and Specs
Now, let’s compare pricing. The M4 Pro Mac Mini (14-core CPU, 20-core GPU, 48 GB unified memory, 1 TB storage) costs about $2,199. The base Mac Studio M4 Max (14-core CPU, 32-core GPU, 36 GB unified memory, 1 TB storage) also costs $2,199. Wow.
Value Proposition and Recommendation
For around $2,199, both are incredible. But if you max out the Mac Mini to 64 GB unified memory and 4 TB storage ($3,399), the Studio equivalent costs $2,899—so you save a few hundred bucks. The Studio has more ports (Thunderbolt 5, USB-C, card slots), making it a smarter buy for some.
Advice: Buy for Tomorrow, Not Just Today
Here’s my advice: buy for tomorrow, not today. With AI-integrated programs demanding more power, the lifespan of computers is changing. Apple has priced these competitively, but don’t go for the baseline—except maybe for the Mac Studio.
Recommended Configurations
For a Mac Mini, I’d go with a 24-core GPU, 40 GB unified memory, and 1 TB storage (~$2,199). For the M4 variant, the $1,199 model (24 GB memory, 1 TB storage) is perfect for most users—great balance of value and future-proofing.
Final Thoughts
If all you do is browse, email, and write documents, the $600 base model works fine. But for longevity and performance, spec it up a bit. The Mac Mini M4 Pro is more than enough for most users, combining insane power, portability, and price efficiency.
Closing Note
What Apple has achieved with this machine is unreal. Those are my thoughts—let me know yours in the comments below. If you enjoyed this, hit like, subscribe, and stay tuned for more content. Thanks for the support—talk soon!
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