Apple 2024 mini

Apple 2024 mini

By Apple · Desktop Computers · Phones & Computers

  • Apple M6 chip (12-core CPU, 12-core GPU)
  • 16GB unified memory
  • 256GB SSD (base)
  • 5.0 x 5.0 x 2.0 inches, 1.5 lbs
  • 3x Thunderbolt 4, HDMI, 2.5GbE Ethernet

Lowest price seen
~$599.00 (approx.)
from $599.00 at Amazon

Prices are snapshots. Check the current price with the store.

Summary

A compact desktop on Apple’s M4 and M4 Pro chips, sold without a display, keyboard or mouse. Check the chip before you buy: the M4 and M4 Pro differ in ports and base memory, and this 2024 model was discontinued in August 2026 and replaced by the M6 Mac mini.

Strengths

  • The base 16GB/256GB build was called strong value at its $599 launch price.
  • Ports moved to the front for the first time, with two USB-C ports and a headphone jack within reach.
  • The fan stayed quiet in testing, even during photo editing and compiling.
  • M4 performance tracked close to the M4 iMac and M4 MacBook Pro in independent benchmarks.
  • Small footprint at 5 × 5 × 2 in and 1.5 lb, with an internal power supply and no external brick.
  • Wi-Fi 6E, Bluetooth 5.3, HDMI and configurable 10GbE cover most desk setups.

Weaknesses

  • Memory is soldered and cannot be added after purchase.
  • Apple’s RAM and storage upgrades are expensive; a 32GB/1TB build reached $1,399.
  • The power button sits on the underside of the case.
  • No SD card slot and no USB-A ports.
  • The removable SSD holds only NAND chips, with the controller in the SoC, so capacity upgrades mean chip-level work.
  • The 2024 model was discontinued on August 25, 2026 and replaced by the M6/M5 Pro Mac mini.

Verified specifications

ChipApple M4 (10-core CPU, 10-core GPU, 16-core Neural Engine, 120GB/s memory bandwidth) or M4 Pro (12-core CPU, 16-core GPU, 273GB/s, configurable to a 14-core CPU and 20-core GPU).
MemoryM4 starts at 16GB (24GB or 32GB configurable); M4 Pro starts at 24GB (48GB or 64GB configurable).
StorageM4 starts at a 256GB SSD (512GB, 1TB or 2TB configurable); M4 Pro starts at 512GB (1TB, 2TB, 4TB or 8TB configurable).
Ports (M4)two front USB-C (USB 3, up to 10Gb/s) and a 3.5mm headphone jack; three rear Thunderbolt 4 (up to 40Gb/s), HDMI, Gigabit Ethernet (configurable 10GbE) and power.
Ports (M4 Pro)the same front ports, with three Thunderbolt 5 ports (up to 120Gb/s) on the back.
Display supportM4 runs two displays up to 6K@60Hz over Thunderbolt plus one up to 5K@60Hz over Thunderbolt or 4K@60Hz over HDMI; M4 Pro runs three 6K@60Hz displays; HDMI carries one display up to 8K@60Hz or 4K@240Hz on both.
WirelessWi-Fi 6E and Bluetooth 5.3.
Audiobuilt-in speaker; 3.5mm headphone jack with high-impedance headphone support; HDMI carries multichannel audio.
Power100–240V AC, 50/60Hz; 155W maximum continuous.
AcousticsApple lists 5 dBA at idle and 1.3 B sound power.
Dimensions5.0 × 5.0 × 2.0 in (12.7 × 12.7 × 5.0 cm); 1.5 lb (0.67 kg) for M4, 1.6 lb (0.73 kg) for M4 Pro.
Enclosuresilver, with 100% recycled aluminum.
In the boxMac mini and a 1.8 m power cord.
Full research notes and sources

Which model this is

This page covers the 2024 Mac mini on the Apple M4, model year 2024, released November 8, 2024 and discontinued August 25, 2026. The base configuration pairs a 10-core CPU and 10-core GPU with 16GB of memory and a 256GB SSD; the M4 Pro steps up to a 12-core CPU, a 16-core GPU (configurable to 14/20) and 24GB/512GB to start.

ASIN B0DLBTPDCS is the base M4 16GB/256GB listing linked from The Verge’s review. Do not mix this machine with the 2026 M6/M5 Pro Mac mini or with the older M1 and M2 minis: the 2024 model uses Wi-Fi 6E, Bluetooth 5.3 and Gigabit Ethernet (10GbE configurable), not the M6’s Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth 6 or 2.5GbE.

Performance and cooling

Independent testing exists for the M4 model. The Verge gave it a Verge Score of 9 and published benchmarks: Cinebench 2024 Multi 945 and Single 176, GPU 4107, and a 30-minute Cinebench loop at 925; Geekbench 6 single 3889, multi 14915, OpenCL 37256 and Metal 57416; and a Premiere Pro 4K export in 3 minutes 9 seconds. The Verge said the M4 tracked close to the M4 iMac and M4 MacBook Pro it tested, and that the fan stayed quiet during a Lightroom photo-editing session; Wirecutter calls the fan whisper-quiet even under editing or compiling loads. Apple rates the machine at 5 dBA at idle. The Verge declined to judge heavy video-editing limits for the non-Pro M4.

Ports and display support

For the first time the mini puts two USB-C ports and a 3.5mm headphone jack on the front, with three Thunderbolt 4 ports, HDMI, Gigabit Ethernet (configurable to 10GbE) and the power inlet on the back. The M4 Pro swaps the rear Thunderbolt 4 ports for Thunderbolt 5 and adds a 14-core CPU and 20-core GPU option. Display support differs by chip: the M4 drives two displays up to 6K@60Hz over Thunderbolt plus one more up to 5K@60Hz over Thunderbolt or 4K@60Hz over HDMI, while the M4 Pro drives three 6K@60Hz displays; HDMI carries one display up to 8K@60Hz or 4K@240Hz on both. There is no SD card slot and no USB-A port.

Memory, storage and upgrades

Memory is soldered and cannot be added later, so choose the right amount up front. The M4 starts at 16GB with 24GB or 32GB available; the M4 Pro starts at 24GB with 48GB or 64GB. Storage is a removable module on the 2024 model, but it carries only NAND chips, two 128GB chips on the base module, with the controller in the SoC, so a real capacity upgrade means chip-level work. The 2026 M6 model returned to a soldered SSD, which makes the 2024 mini’s modular design generation-specific. There is no capsule or consumable lock-in; the main extras are a display, keyboard and mouse, none of which are included.

Is it worth it?

Reviewers treated the base M4 Mac mini as strong value at its $599 launch price for 16GB of memory and a 256GB SSD, and said the value drops as Apple’s RAM and storage upgrades are added. The Verge recommended either the $599 base or a 24GB/256GB build and suggested external Thunderbolt storage over paying for large internal storage, and it singled out a $1,399 32GB/1TB configuration as poor value; a 24GB/512GB configuration was listed at $929. Apple raised desktop prices in June 2026 after a memory and storage cost rise, and Wirecutter lists the M6 Mac mini at $899 from Apple, which is the 2026 model rather than this one. The 2024 unit is now clearance or refurbished stock, so check the exact SKU and the date of any figure before buying.

Sources

Manufacturer:

Independent reviews:

Reference:

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