When I unboxed the new Mac mini, my daughter’s reaction was priceless. “That’s a computer?!” she exclaimed, eyes wide with disbelief. And I understood her reaction completely — the Mac mini’s compact design, just five inches square and two inches tall, feels almost too small to be a powerhouse desktop computer. Yet, it’s packed with Apple’s latest M4 and M4 Pro chips, delivering significantly faster performance than previous models, all starting at an attractive price point of $599. Apple’s tiny desktop powerhouse once again redefines what a modern desktop can look like and accomplish.

Apple pioneered the trend for compact PCs with the Mac mini back in 2005, but it’s no longer alone in this niche market. Today, Intel’s NUC line, now managed by ASUS, and HP’s Elite Mini series serve business needs, though they come at higher prices and cater to more specialized use cases. By contrast, the Mac mini has established itself as an affordable entryway to Apple desktops, particularly attractive for users who already own a monitor, keyboard, and mouse. And even for those starting from scratch, an entire Mac mini setup can still be achieved for under $1,000. The mini’s blend of pint-sized convenience and potent hardware makes it hard to resist, even for those who might not strictly need it.

The Mac mini’s compact design has been refined further, now less than half the size of the previous model, allowing users to reclaim more desk space. For the first time, the Mac mini also offers front-facing ports — two USB-C connections and a headphone jack — a feature previously exclusive to the higher-end $1,999 Mac Studio. While the front headphone jack will likely suit most users, those needing more complex audio setups might still prefer a USB-C dongle or audio interface connected to the rear ports.

The true star of this update is the new M4 hardware. Now equipped with 16GB of RAM as standard, the M4 chip boasts a 10-core CPU (four high-performance cores and six high-efficiency cores), a 10-core GPU, and a 16-core Neural Engine. For those looking for even more power, the $1,399 model includes the M4 Pro chip, which upgrades to a 14-core CPU (10 high-performance and four high-efficiency cores) and a 20-core GPU. Thunderbolt 4 support on the M4 and Thunderbolt 5 on the M4 Pro triple data transfer speeds (120 Gb/s vs. 40 Gb/s), ensuring top-tier connectivity. And with full-sized HDMI and an Ethernet port that can be upgraded to 10GbE, the Mac mini is well-equipped to handle professional creative tasks, even if it lacks the SD card slot found on the Mac Studio.

However, there are a few quirks. The power button, located on the rear bottom edge, may require some tricky maneuvering to reach, potentially complicating desk placement. And while Apple designs the Mac mini to run continually, the hard-to-access power button feels slightly contradictory to the company’s sustainability claims, which highlight the use of recycled materials and a carbon-neutral build.

In terms of performance, the Mac mini with the M4 Pro chip (our review model) delivered some of the fastest CPU results we’ve seen this year, with a Geekbench 6 single-threaded score of 3,943 — well above the 2,500-2,800 range of typical PCs. Its multithreaded score reached an impressive 22,850, far exceeding most other systems, except for a few elite models like the Snapdragon X Elite-powered Surface Laptop 7. The Mac mini’s GPU, though not as powerful as those in dedicated gaming laptops, still outperformed the RTX 4050 in Dell’s XPS 14 and the Radeon 7700S in the 16-inch Framework Laptop.

Gaming performance was also impressive for such a small device, maintaining smooth 60fps performance in games like Lies of P at 1440p with maxed settings. Even at 4K with medium settings, it delivered a playable 30fps. Other titles, like Resident Evil 4 and No Man’s Sky, ran consistently at 60fps in 1440p. This level of performance is rare in integrated graphics, proving the M4 Pro’s capability in handling modern games and creative workloads.

To explore the Mac mini’s AI prowess, I tested the Whisper Transcription app, transcribing an hour-long podcast episode in just two minutes and nine seconds using the small language model — significantly faster than the M4-powered MacBook Pro, which completed it in over three minutes. This speed suggests the M4’s impressive utility for students and professionals who need quick transcription capabilities.

During heavy tasks, like Cinebench’s multithreaded benchmark, the Mac mini’s cooling system kicked in. Though noticeable, the fan noise was softer than traditional Mac fans, more akin to white noise than a disruption. But for users expecting continuous, intensive workloads, the Mac Studio might be a better fit, as it’s built to handle sustained performance without excessive heat. However, an M4 upgrade for the Mac Studio likely won’t arrive until next year.

At $1,399 for the M4 Pro model with 24GB of RAM and a 512GB SSD, the Mac mini is ideal for creatives needing serious power without the price of the Mac Studio. While I didn’t test the $599 M4 model, benchmarks of that chip in the 14-inch MacBook Pro show it can hold its own, particularly for 1080p gaming and typical desktop tasks. However, Apple’s premium upgrade pricing — $400 for 32GB of RAM and another $400 for a 1TB SSD — is notably high compared to the broader PC market. For users needing more storage, connecting an external drive is a feasible workaround.

Ultimately, the $599 Mac mini provides excellent value for a compact Apple desktop, especially with 16GB of RAM now standard. The fact that it’s powerful enough to impress my daughter and small enough to fit anywhere on my desk only adds to its charm. Meanwhile, Apple’s new M4-powered MacBook Pros have also received a performance boost, especially the 14-inch model, which now starts with 16GB of RAM. While these laptops haven’t drastically changed from the M1 Pro models, their faster chips and better memory configuration make them a solid choice for anyone in the market for a high-end Mac laptop.

All in all, the Mac mini and the latest MacBook Pros show Apple’s commitment to continuous improvement, blending sleek design with remarkable performance, making them some of the most compelling options in the desktop and laptop markets today.