The M4 or M4 Pro Mac mini? What Model Am I Buying and My Decision Process?

[@whitepixels]

Okay, here are my thoughts... I will have a Mac Mini M4Pro (24GB) in my hands tomorrow. (I am in Australia, and the first shipment to Apple Stores is tomorrow, 8th November. I hit the pre-order button the moment the M4 went live on Apple Australia's website to get in early. The first shipment has now sold out, and anyone who orders now won't get it till the 22nd of November in Oz). I am coming from a Mac Mini M1 with 8GB, which I've had since 2020. It has handled everything I've thrown at it and has been a brilliant machine. I mainly do video editing and photo editing. So, the M4Pro will be a big upgrade for me. In my opinion, it is the best PC Apple has ever released for the money in recent times, and it should serve me well for at least the next 5 years. The thing is this... More and more photo editing software is including AI functions (like Luminar Neo that I use), and while current AI functions can be handled okay now, future more powerful AI functions and even what will be added to Apple Intelligence will require more RAM and CPU processing power... That's where the M4Pro will really shine. You mentioned that you would prefer 48GB of RAM in your M4Pro, and I also heard you say you also have a zillion tabs open while doing video editing... In my opinion, when doing 4K video editing or running any other computer-intensive software, the trick is to only run that app and close down everything else to maximise memory. If you need to have a whole lot of browser tabs open, then keep your old Mac Mini M1 and use that on a separate screen next to your M4Pro... That way, 24GB (base model) will be fine for 95% of 4K editing.

[@dannieduplessis2432]

Im also here on the Gold Coast mate and have a M4, 1 TB 32 unified and 10 GIG Ethernet $2,200. I have just bought the 40" Curved Dell monitor and its incredible with its Hub structure as well, that was only $2,400 delivered. The reason i am with my reply is have you found a good external with 20TB ?

[@whitepixels]

@@dannieduplessis2432 In terms of external drives, I am currently using a combination of a RAID 10 external ProRaid enclosure running 4 x 1TB drives for important stuff. (This gives me 2TB with mirroring on the other 2TB for redundancy). Then, I use a number of SanDisk Professional G-Drive 1TB Portable NVMe SSD's for general backup. a 20TB would be nice, but I prefer to break storage down to smaller drives, in case the one big drive fails.

[@AntiQueWRLD]

Should I like this video? “Let’s talk about it”😂

[@craigneidel]

Not bad

[@rorywalters1614]

I just realised yesterday that the M4 mini could be configured to 32GB RAM while the storage stays at 256GB. That’s great, I’m getting a 32/256 one early next year. I have a spare 2TB SSD laying around, although it’s a KIOXIA G2, probably the slowest PCIe 3.0 drive on peak performance you can buy right now, but it does have DRAM, its random read/write and sustained performance is better than most other 3.0 drives, so I’ll put it into an USB4 enclosure and boot off it to see how it performs. If it’s good enough then I’ll keep using it. I already bought a 3TB portable hard drive and built a 4TB desktop hard drive, ready to use them as Time Machine backups for the new Mac mini.

[@TalesOfWar]

I'm going to be picking up the Pro with 48GB of RAM and CPU bump. Practically all of my big files are external already (iTunes library etc) so 512 should be good enough. Thunderbolt NVME storage will be more than fast enough for any future expansions I may need. It'll be replacing a 2013 27" iMac, so a rather considerable upgrade. It'll be sat along side my M3 MacBook Pro, which sadly gets less use than I'd like but oh well lol. This will basically be replacing my system for the next 5-10 years depending on how things go and what I may need in the future. I'm going to hold off on getting a new monitor too and just use my second PC display and see how these new Asus and BenQ 5K displays turn out. And how expensive they are lol.

[@hackexpert0003]

Intel 5K iMacs are great for professional work and for most daily tasks also they support Windows Natively ( x86_64) using BootCamp, it's rare to find an identical display to use seperatly on PC/Mac (except Apple Studio Display and LG 5K Display). The only annoying issues with these Intel iMacs are the overheating and throttling issues when rendering projects or using Windows for CAD Works.

[@mooninthewater3705]

Craig, given your experience with fast external drives, could you say more about why these are not an option rather than getting bigger external storage? For instance, would it be feasible to add couple terabyte drive to the base m4 mini and edit videos off that? Thanks

[@dannieduplessis2432]

Im also here in Australia mate and have a M4, 1 TB 32 unified and 10 GIG Ethernet $2,200. I have just bought the 40" Curved Dell monitor and its incredible with its Hub structure as well, that was only $2,400 delivered, incredibly cheap for what was around 10 years ago and that is what i am replacing. The reason i am with my reply is have you found a good external with 20TB ?

[@DrSlideit]

My configuration is similar. . M4 Pro 48gb RAM 1TB SSD 10gigabit Ethernet. . My recommendation is to bite the bullet and order what you want. Stockpile those gift certificates and use them to offset other dollars you will spend later. Good luck!

[@craigneidel]

Yeah, I should do that but for my channel I switch so fast I wanted to use them but I'll need to decide soon. The M5s are around the corner too which is crazy...

[@DaveKrans]

I’m looking forward to your review!

[@craigneidel]

@@DaveKrans thanks for watching the channel

[@rogerlove7588]

Haven’t read all the comments, so someone else has probably mentioned this, but I suspect your issue (and mine) is that your configuration is considered ‘custom’. Apple probably ships the Minis in a couple standard combinations of RAM and drives. Only Apple is set up to assemble Minis with personal choices. Purely a logistical situation. Just my 1€.

[@Ricardo_Rosa]

Nice video but there is something I don't understand. Why would someone be looking for a computer that is fast enough for heavy video editing + be able to have 30+ browser tabs open? I'm actually looking to upgrade from a MBP 2011 to a MacMiniM4 24gb/512gb and the muscle to have 30+ tabs open makes no sense to me.

[@fishytech-q9q]

I’m waiting for people to get them in their hands before I decide. The base model will probably more than fulfill my needs. However, I keep looking at the pro model since I tend to use my Macs for 8 -10 years before I upgrade. I’m currently using a 2017 MBP and before that my daily driver was my 2006 Mac Pro.

[@craigneidel]

Yes, if you are planning on keeping it for that long I would buy more than you need now.

[@fishytech-q9q]

@@craigneidel Exactly. Longer legs and less waste. Not that I ever get rid of them. =)

[@joekelley9311]

I have a M1 with 16gb that is plenty fast enough to edit 4k using Davinci. I think you would be better off getting the base model using an external hard drive and holding onto that extra cash/gift cards for what you are thinking of spending. With the money you saved you could buy another base model m5 when it comes out that would be leaps ahead of anything you buy this year sell off the m4 and repeat for the m6.

[@jaymeez]

I’m getting the base Mac Mini and we need a video for the best 5k monitors especially the ones on sale for Black Friday/Cyber Monday

[@craigneidel]

I'll be working on that.

[@m1kkole1nonen]

Nice to see your channel grow Craig, been here since the beginning. I have a 2017 iMac and it's getting very slow on 4K video-editing. I'm thinking of getting the 64gb mac mini pro with 1tb ssd. I hope I will manage with it for the rest of my life. 😅 Then I need a good 4K budget monitor, any recommendations?

[@johnanderson1245]

I pre-ordered the MP4 Pro Max mini and it’s probably more horsepower than I’ll ever need. If you want to upgrade that from 24GB of ram you must have one helluva work load.

[@craigneidel]

I just do so much editing that I wanted the 32 GB but yeah I agree with you for sure.

[@rogerwalton8160]

I need a new Mac simply to use Lightroom Classic and Photoshop and have no idea what to opt for.

[@verymental6999]

Basemodel + external TB3-4 storage

[@jeffreydavis7161]

Can’t wait to see which monitors work best with your new Mac mini

[@craigneidel]

I'm working on that.

[@curtispenner2]

The hardware is good. The core software second rate. The applications are highly polished.

[@99999me1]

Base versions have pretty good resale value.. I'm thinking of just upgrading every year and selling the older version...

[@craigneidel]

Not a bad idea since the base is only $599.

[@jorgem50]

I haven't used macs since early 2000s, my questions is, how much of the OS does mac take away from the 256ssd? Will updates significantly decrease the amount of space on the ssd?

[@redesignedlife777]

That’s all 256 allows. Is just the OS and some software. lol….it’s pretty lame. I have a 1tb on my mac and i only have 150gb left.

[@jorgem50]

@@redesignedlife777 Ok thank you very much for answering my question. I think I'll skip ordering a mac mini. I refuse to pay $200 extra for a measly extra 256g ssd

[@redesignedlife777]

@@jorgem50 256 in 2024 is such a joke….. they should offer 1tb as starting default. Doesnt cost apple that much more.

[@craigneidel]

The OS should only be like 25 GB rough estimate but other software you load will be the real issue.

[@jorgem50]

@@redesignedlife777 Absolutely!! 512gb is so 2012. At the end of the day it's Apple doing what apple does. Their customers will pay no matter what

[@lorensims4846]

The M1 MacBook Air that I bought last year is still plenty for me. Almost ANY mini would be fine, but I think I'll wait for probably the M6. I only buy from Amazon or Best Buy if they're running a big sale or something.

[@craigneidel]

Yeah, I should of stated that but yes they are the only ones that have the sales too but they don't have all the configs which sometimes isn't great.

[@wilty5]

You upgraded the ram on your 2017 iMac, how difficult was that? Is it so difficult that I would need a tutorial video since I am not familiar with how to go about upgrading the ram on a computer. Is it plug and play for the novice? Can you give the name or a link to the ram that you used? Thanks

[@craigneidel]

You can only do it on the 27" model and it takes 1 minute. There is a door on the back you open up and replace the chips. Super easy.

[@wilty5]

@ thanks,

[@Desert679]

Insta 360 4K 20 minute video takes about an hour to transfer to my 2015 iMac 3.5 GHz Quad-Core Intel Core i5 with 24GB DDR3. The playback stutters and slows down and the annoying beach ball appears periodically 😒. I'm done with this and since I keep my machines a minimum of 6 years I purchased the Mini M4 Pro 14/20 core. 64GB, 4TB SSD for the win 😄.

[@GoldFus1on]

Is it possible to upgrade the memory and storage later on the new Mac mini or it is soldered on?

[@craigneidel]

@@GoldFus1on you can't upgrade it

[@joseph-montanez]

I've installed macOS to an USB4 external enclosure with NVME. You can go with internal 256GB but ensure you get the RAM you want as you cannot upgrade that. Right now I don't use the storage on my Mac Mini at all its all ran off my external. I use the ACASIS TBU 401 Pro with Gen 4 NVME and get around 2500mbps read and write and thats with 1TB filled of 2TB. You can get 2TB with that external enclosure for under $200. You can go cheaper and get those $20-$30 enclosures but I would only go with PCI Gen 3 NVME's at that point, they get too hot to sustain performance and I would not install the entire macOS on that kind of setup because of throttling issues from overheating. I did that before and it works great as a second drive, 4k videos editing had no issues from those cheaper enclosures. You can start there, and then upgrade later and even migrate your internal macOS to external via the macOS Migration tool after you install the OS on your external.

[@Almutairi.]

I made the same choice as you, but with a MacBook, not a Mac Mini, it should be enough

[@craigneidel]

Yeah for sure.,.

[@SamStab007]

Can you make a video on which MacBook Air to get?

[@craigneidel]

I'll do some on the Air in the future but haven't decided on the topics yet. Thanks for watching the channel.

[@LordAlucar01]

my iMac m1 starts to have issues, first my green lighting cable broke now iMac keeps crashing each couple of days with same use, my iMac is reaching its limits, since I can ofc no longer play dying light on it, after checking prices and from my experience I have to say the best device to buy is MacBook Pro 14.2 inch with pro chip, I have 3 reasons why, first is iMac is unreliable on keyboard already brought my second keyboard from apple, my lighting cable broke, and Mac starts to crash and feel sluggish even with 16gb of ram, second reason is its cheapest and most reliable option imo to get MacBook Pro, but why not m4 base model is because for bit more you get double the specs and more reliabliable during years of use, and last reason is all in one, no extra additional buying accessories along as you have wifi or iPhone to provide network to device, and based on price it is best value per performance, base m4 pro chip, if you upgrade that you have to pick between extra specs on small model or large model, and past that is max which is the best but costs double the price of m4 pro chip so pay double for chip or just get a reliable device that can do all and avoid upgrades if possible because that is the trap, ssd I must say 1tb is needed anyway so that is a small compromise, ideally if doing that upgrade to upgrade chip of pro for extra cores, but that is when 16.2 inch comes in to play where it gets annoying, light ups to pro larger model and you can get max, and when you get max bit more and you have latest tech, so ya it is a pain in the ass, cheapest way is to use iCloud storage and limit your actions on Mac for regular user, for heavy storage user no salvation, add ons.PS, hope you're doing great, I'm having hard time picking stuff up since I'm always debating if I need it or not, right now I brought last month my new iPhone 16 pro max on payment over time and it was worth for device but I picked bad payment plan, last month I also ordered link bracelet 350$ expensive apple band for future ultra 2 watch, I got one used but was blocked by previous owner and I returned it griefing since it was in perfect condition and I keep getting calls from mag telling me how I felt about my watch experience and if I can unlock a device was not mine, to start with my email is yahoo not gmail that previous owner had, so ya it is a pain in the ass to be claimed lier by their stupid resell program, never buying resealed products again ofc I returned it, but since I love the looks of it I want to get one for myself so I got the preorder for band first since it was cheaper, and now I'm also debating if I should get MacBook Pro first or watch on use I use MacBook Pro more than watch, but I also use watch daily when I'm outside and at work.

[@j.j4090]

I want to get the m4 pro mini, but of course the store that I’ll be getting it at only has the m4 with 256 gigs of storage on their site. They have the M4 MacBooks, though. The m4 pro MacBook Pro will come up to over $3000, so it looks like I’ll be stuck getting the base m4 MacBook Pro. I hope with the 16 gigs of ram and 512 storage will last at least 8 or 9 years if all I’m doing is writing and surfing the internet, and not downloading any other apps. I have an old 4 gig ram, 500 storage acer laptop 14 years old that’s still going. Dead battery and slow, but still going.

[@rcarbone65]

Try B&H for “custom” configurations

[@craigneidel]

Yes, that is a good place for sure.

[@GeeWhizRS]

I like how you justified the pro version here when we all know it’s your missus you are trying to justify your new mini pro to. We all do it. 😉

[@craigneidel]

Thanks for watching and the post.

[@paulharrison8379]

I would buy a 256 Gb M1 Mac Mini in preference to a 256 Gb M2 Mac Mini. This is because The SSD in the 256 Gb M1 Mac Mini consists of two 128 Gb flash modules, whereas the SSD in the M2 Mac Mini consists of only one 256 Gb Gb flash module which is half as fast as two modules. This leads to the most important question about the 256 Gb M4 Mac Mini. Does the 256 Gb M4 Mac Mini have two 128 Gb flash modules or only one 256 Gb Flash module? If the £599 M4 model has two modules then it is a very good buy. Otherwise the 512 Gb £799 M4 model is the only sensible choice.

[@2424rocket]

Why do we care what Mac mini you’re buying? What interests me is what Mac mini you’re buying for me! Joking aside, not interested in the Mac mini waiting for the Mac studio or the Mac Pro.

[@Duckstalker1340]

Apple created some very compelling hardware, but their available software is way too limited. If only I could load Linux on this box, it would open a whole world of software.

[@elatletico6665]

you should go “ education $tore” route, and $top 😭! here’s my configuration : m4 pro 14 core cpu , 20 core GPU, 24GB unified memory ram, 512$$d storage, 10G ethernet , brutal specs for a total of 1,569🤑, im set, for at least the next 5 years , with a monster mac mini m4 pro chip.

[@PaulChurton]

I used my Amazon certs to buy Apple credit to buy my Air last year 😀

[@craigneidel]

Nice - I may need to try that.

[@prsearls]

I'll be looking forward to your evaluation of your M4 Pro Mini and enclosures. I'm in a similar situation for basic photo editing (LrC and PS). I don't need a Corvette to drive to the grocery store. Would it be nice to have? You bet but could I use all that "horsepower?" Probably not. Pride of ownership is one thing but it can get expensive if not needed.

[@RaudiRaul]

Hey Craig what if you bought Apple gift cards with your Best Buy and Amazon gift cards. Can you do that?! 😂

[@craigneidel]

Funny, buy maybe. I guess I just need to tell people to change what they give me but I normally don't like to do that either. Amazon allows me to buy other things like SSDs for testing etc. but I might need to do that funny.

[@blackcoalboy]

Question mate, Why do you buy (NEED) all them Mac computers? I know you channel is about Mac computers but all the same.

[@BillyLuna]

New sub here. Great channel. Would you be so kind as to answer a couple of questions. I mostly use Final Cut Pro & Photoshop to create videos on my Billy Luna Crime Stories YT channel. I am working in 1080p, but should probably start working in 4k. Currently I am using a 2019 Intel Macbook Pro with 16 g of ram and a 512 HD. I am Using a Sandisk Extreme Pro SSD (2TB & 4TB) to edit off whilst using FCP. 1) For my needs, which exact configuration of the new M4 Mac Mini should I get? 2) Can I get maximum speed via Thunderbolt 4 or 5 using a Sandisk Extreme Pro SSD? I would really like to save $ by not going with the pricey Apple storage & sticking with the externals. Thank you!

[@craigneidel]

Thank you for the sub. To be honest if you are working in 1080P and my go to 4K I'm guessing your videos will be more like my level of complexity. The Mac mini with the M4 chip is fine I would guess but I would maybe get the 24 GB min on the ram. The base M4 Pro Mac mini is another good choice if you want a bit more power. I mean even the M4 chip is faster then the M3 Pro chip from just a few months ago so it really comes down to I guess how long you will keep it. Also, yes external storage is fast enough. I have done a ton of videos on fast external storage on my channel at up to 3500 MB/s and that is more than enough with Thunderbolt 4. But if you get the Pro you will get Thunderbolt 5 and external storage can go up to 6000 MB/s but trust me you don't need that in reality. In fact I use a 1000 MB/s external SSD to do video editing off of just fine and even in 4K.

[@BillyLuna]

​@@craigneidel In terms of my Final Cut Pro & Photoshop use, If I went for the base model M4 Mac Mini do you think that 24g ram would be adequate or should I go 32g ram, and what is the minimum that I should upgrade the SSD to? Thank you!!!

[@craigneidel]

I honestly think you will be fine. If you don't worry about it it should feel snappy enough for sure. Getting the 32 is only something you should do if you feel you can swing it and it kind of future proofs it but in reality I do some video editing with my M2 Air with 16 GB of ram and it works fine.

[@BillyLuna]

​@@craigneidel So M4 with 32 RAM seems good. What about the SSD---For 4k Final Cut Pro and Photoshop, would I be okay with only a 512 SSD upgrade, or is there a (speed) benefit in going for 1TB? thank you!

[@fmax3000]

Best is the base Pro at 24GB RAM and 512GB SSD, and the most future proofing. To save $$$ you can get the base M4 with 16GB but upgrade the SSD to 512GB, try it for 14 days extensively and you can return it to Apple within that window or replace it with the base pro if it wasn’t enough. The pro the future proof, but the base M4 is enough for what you’re doing. Editing: Always use a fast external NVME SSD in a thunderbolt enclosure so you dont fill up your boot drive and you dont wear it off. Easy peasy.

[@Labs51Research]

Apple don’t want people purchasing machines that they wont outgrow fast.. they want you to purchase the lower options because they know it wont be enough in around 6 years max

[@craigneidel]

That is a good point you made for sure.

[@redesignedlife777]

Upgrading the specs suck….. once you see the final price it’s crazy how they get you with the $$$$

[@craigneidel]

Yes, if you upgrade the SSD twice it costs as much as the base model by itself.

[@acizko92]

For me the base M4 is enough.

[@craigneidel]

For most I'm sure it will be as it's a great system for sure.

[@naizondj]

i was waiting for this video! eh eh eh!!!

[@joe4piet]

Look at the speed of thundertbold on m4pro and think agai

[@craigneidel]

Yes, but nobody really needs external storage faster than 3400 MB/s which I can get on Thunderbolt 4.

[@MusikalHuman]

logic. 14core, 48gm memory, 1tb ssd

[@craigneidel]

Get what works for you.

[@flappospammo]

I'd go for the base model and use iCloud ....SORTED

[@craigneidel]

I don't use iCloud for much and like external storage. I have a ton so why not.

[@chrisbogart687]

People have to up the memory option - with AI functions - they tend to be real memory hogs and we only have opened the door or them. Apple gave us a hint they know something with upgrading base models from 8 to 16. Future proof yourself.

[@G-Misc59]

Pre-Ordered the M4 256...if the SSD speed is slower than the 512 (Like they did on the M2) then I will return it and pass on Apple...very predatory company.

[@craigneidel]

I'm guessing the SSD speed will still be like 3000 MB/s (guess) and that is really fast and it could even be faster than that. So I would not worry about it too much.

[@wilty5]

Greed is definitely the reason, it’s Apple’s business M O and it punishes loyal customers. Apple should introduce a loyalty program if it would offer value to customers

[@craigneidel]

@@wilty5 I like that idea.

[@Cville2347]

Tell your family and friends to give you VISA gift cards instead of store cards.😊

[@craigneidel]

Yes, or even Apple cards. Funny but I normally like Amazon since I can then get anything but I guess it's an easy fix. But the video was more about how the big box stores only sell very specific models.

[@utube9487]

This whole video was useless for everyone watching. You should have aligned the video with this structure. People have been lubed up really well by Apple. That's why Apple does not include big local storage. They want everyone on icloud subscription for life. Imagine having reasonably priced 2TB - 4TB SSD storage (It's bloody 2024, a 2TB NVME is $50) and then have your home Wifi use your phone, iPad / Laptops and Mac's to automatically share / sync photos and files on each device without needing any iCloud subscription. If Apple did that, they would lose billions of dollars in icloud subscription. You wouldn't need iCloud. Make storage so expensive that people do not get it and keep it low for each generation so as peoples storage needs increase, they are forced to get iCloud eventually. It has worked for iPhones, forcing everyone who can't afford 512GB - 1TB iPhones on icloud storage. Thus Apple makes local storage super expensive so everyone is forced to use iCloud and then cherry on the cake....make it as difficult as possible to sync devices locally via Wifi. And if you have Windows PC, even worse. Now everyone has been trained from owning any Apple device for a 1 time purchase fee to a life time subscription service. We all have been well lubed by Apple to think this is now somehow the norm. 'I don't need storage, I pay $120 a year for 2TB iCloud storage.'. A 2TB local storage is $50 as a one off purchase plus faster read and write speeds than Apples SSD. But that would mean you won't need to use iCloud and Apple loses on that $9.99 a month subscription for life. Yes the nerds and the geeks will buy an enclosure and hook up the SSD externally at their own expense but those geeks were not the target market, the mum's and dad's will be forced on to iCloud before they figure out external SSD's. Also iPhones, ipads, no external storage for that unless you are happy with carrying a portable disk around with you at all times thus making it tiresome and you cave in and get an icloud subscription. It's ALL ABOUT MAKING A 1 TIME PURCHASE INTO A SUBSCRIPTION SERVICE FOR LIFE.

[@craigneidel]

My channel is not like the rest. I do what I like to do and have fun with it. Take it or leave it but that is who I am. I like to talk more on a personal level then just spit out stats. I feel people can then decide on what to watch.

[@X-OR_]

I don't care !

[@craigneidel]

They why click on the video - why waste your time.

[@sauleomarova7730]

I wonder if a Best Buy customer able to order a customized version of Apple computer in store.

[@craigneidel]

I don't think you can but I guess something to check out.

[@sauleomarova7730]

@@craigneidel I would go to the brick-n-mortar Best Buy and inquire if a gift card can be used on an Apple computer ordered and shipped back to that same store.

[@dayeah765caoni3]

2 week lead time for added memory and storage 😂. Mine is arriving by the 20th

[@craigneidel]

Nice and I'm sure you are waiting on that day to come......