Apple Mac mini (M4 Pro, 2024) Review: Small, Fast, Port-Rich

The Apple Mac mini (M4 Pro, 2024) review question is simple: how much desktop can you fit into a box that measures just 5 x 5 inches? This Mac mini is built around the Apple M4 Pro chip. It is aimed at people who want pro-level CPU and GPU speed, fast external connections and several displays without a big tower on the desk. Think creative professionals, video editors and anyone who wants to run AI workloads on-device. This review is based on Apple's specifications and what independent expert reviews report, not our own hands-on testing.

Design and build: a desktop you can put almost anywhere

The Mac mini measures 12.7 cm x 12.7 cm x 5.0 cm (5.0 x 5.0 x 2.0 inches) and weighs 0.73 kg (1.6 pounds). That is small enough to sit beside a monitor, tuck onto a shelf or mount under a desk. The small 5 x 5 inch case also makes it easy to mount or rack.

Small size comes with a few layout quirks. The power button sits underneath the case, which is a listed drawback. There are also no USB-A ports and no SD card reader, so older accessories and camera cards will need an adapter or hub. If your desk is full of legacy peripherals, plan for that before buying.

On the plus side, the front panel carries two USB-C ports (up to 10Gb/s) and a 3.5mm headphone jack. Those are easy to reach for a drive, a headset or a quick file transfer, without crawling behind the machine.

Performance: what the M4 Pro chip brings

The core of this model is the Apple M4 Pro. The base configuration has a 12-core CPU (8 performance, 4 efficiency) and a 16-core GPU. You can step up to a 14-core CPU (10 performance, 4 efficiency) and a 20-core GPU if your workload justifies it. Reviewers praise the CPU speed relative to the size of the case, and that is the headline reason to choose this model.

The chip also includes hardware-accelerated ray tracing and a 16-core Neural Engine. In day-to-day terms, the Neural Engine is there for on-device Apple Intelligence features and other machine-learning tasks. Hardware-accelerated ray tracing is also part of the chip's graphics capabilities.

Memory and storage

The base model has 24GB of unified memory, with 48GB or 64GB available as configuration options. Memory bandwidth is 273GB/s. That bandwidth is a big part of why this machine suits heavy workloads and AI tasks, because the CPU, GPU and Neural Engine all draw on the same pool of memory. A larger memory pool leaves more headroom for big video projects, large datasets or bigger local AI models.

Storage starts at 512GB, with 1TB, 2TB, 4TB or 8TB configurable. Here is the catch that experts return to repeatedly: memory and storage cannot be upgraded after purchase, and Apple's upgrade pricing is a common criticism. The practical advice is to decide on your configuration at the outset. If you suspect you will outgrow 512GB, consider a larger tier or plan on fast external storage, which the ports below make easy.

Noise and sustained load

The chip is capable, but it lives in a very small case. A common criticism is that the fan becomes audible under heavy loads. If you intend to render video or push the machine hard for long stretches, factor in some fan noise. The listed maximum continuous power is 155W.

Connectivity and displays: where it shines

This is the strongest part of the Mac mini's case. The rear has three Thunderbolt 5 (USB-C) ports rated up to 120Gb/s, plus HDMI and Gigabit Ethernet. Ethernet can be configured to 10Gb Ethernet, which is helpful for fast network storage or a studio setup. Wireless is Wi-Fi 6E (802.11ax) and Bluetooth 5.3.

Thunderbolt 5 matters for two main reasons. First, it supports very fast external storage, which is a practical way around the fixed internal drive. Second, it works with high-resolution displays. The Mac mini can drive up to three 6K displays at 60Hz, which makes it appealing for multi-monitor editing, timelines, coding or monitoring dashboards.

If you already own fast external drives, a good display or a Thunderbolt dock, this machine slots in easily.

What experts like and what they criticise

The Mac mini M4 Pro averages 8.9/10 across 5 expert reviews. Scores published by the reviewers are:

• Macworld: 4/5
• Digital Camera World: 5/5
• Notebookcheck: 87/100
• MacRumors: 4.5/5
• Engadget: 90/100

Reviewers praise the speed of the 12-core M4 Pro CPU in such a tiny case, the generous set of Thunderbolt 5 ports plus HDMI, the ability to run up to three 6K displays at 60Hz, and the 24GB base memory with 273GB/s bandwidth. The front USB-C ports, headphone jack and the option of 10Gb Ethernet also get positive mentions.

The criticisms are just as consistent. Upgrades to RAM and storage are very expensive. Neither can be changed after purchase. The fan is audible under heavy loads. And the lack of USB-A ports and an SD card reader, along with the underside power button, are everyday annoyances. These are not trivial footnotes: for some buyers, the upgrade pricing and fixed configuration will be the deciding factor.

Who should buy the Mac mini M4 Pro

This model makes sense if you:

• Are a creative professional or video editor who wants a fast desktop without a large tower.
• Need several high-resolution displays from one machine.
• Want fast external storage or networking through Thunderbolt 5 or 10Gb Ethernet.
• Are interested in running AI tasks on-device and want the memory bandwidth to support them.
• Have limited desk space, or want to mount or rack the computer.

Who should skip it

Look elsewhere if you:

• Rely on USB-A accessories or an SD card reader and don't want to buy adapters.
• Want to upgrade memory or storage later on, since both are fixed at purchase.
• Are sensitive to fan noise during sustained heavy work.
• Don't want to pay Apple's steep prices for RAM and storage upgrades.

How it fits in the small-desktop category

What defines the Mac mini in general terms is the combination of Apple silicon, Thunderbolt 5 and multi-display support in a very small case. Its memory and storage are fixed at purchase, which is a common criticism. If you want to see how it sits alongside other compact machines, including options aimed at gaming or general office work, see our guide to the best mini PC.

Verdict: a very capable small desktop with a configuration catch

The Apple Mac mini (M4 Pro, 2024) is a fast, compact desktop, and its 8.9/10 expert average reflects that. It is fast, well connected and flexible enough to drive a serious multi-monitor desk from a case that measures just 5 x 5 inches. The trade-offs are clear: expensive upgrades, no way to expand memory or storage later, some fan noise under load, and a port selection that leaves out USB-A and SD. Buyers who choose their configuration carefully and can work with USB-C will get a lot from it. Those who need legacy ports or flexibility should look at other options first.

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