Apple launches redesigned Mac Mini

Apple has launched a redesigned version of its least-expensive Mac, the Mini, which will now ship with new M4 processors and a smaller design that looks like a cross between an Apple TV box and a Mac Studio.

The new version of the Mini is the first major design change since the original aluminum version of the Mini was released back in 2010.  The Mac mini remains about as stripped back as a computer can be, and you'll need to supply your own keyboard, mouse and monitor to make it work. 

As expected, the Mini is also Apple's first device to ship with its newest M4 Pro processor, a beefed-up version of the M4 with more CPU and GPU cores. Apple says even with just the standard M4 chip, Mac mini delivers up to 1.8x faster CPU performance and 2.2x faster GPU performance over the previous M1 model.

Taking design-cues from the Studio, the Mac Mini is made primarily of aluminium, and features a pair of 10 Gbps USB-C ports on the front, plus an indicator light and a headphone jack.

On the back, it has a mix of Thunderbolt/USB-C ports, a gigabit Ethernet port and a full-size HDMI port.

The entry-level Mini comes with an M4 chip, with 10 CPU cores (four performance cores, six efficiency cores) and 10 GPU cores. Despite being an entry-level computer, it can still drive up to three 'standard' displays at once.

The M4 Pro is more powerful. It's sold with up to 14 CPU cores (10 performance cores and four efficiency cores) and up to 20 GPU cores. Apple says the M4 Pro GPU is up to twice as powerful as the GPU in the M4.

It also has 24GB of RAM, an 8GB upgrade over the base model M4. It also gains faster Thunderbolt Thunderbolt 5 spec ports, compared to the 4-level ports on the Mini. 

With M4, Mac mini can also support up to two 6K displays and up to one 5K display, and with M4 Pro, it can support up to three 6K displays at 60Hz for a total of over 60 million pixels.

In addition, Mac mini is Apple’s first carbon neutral Mac with an over 80 per cent reduction in greenhouse gas emissions across its materials, manufacturing, transportation, and customer use, according to the company. 

Mac mini with M4 starts at RRP A$999, and Mac mini with M4 Pro starts at RRP A$2,199.

You can find out more about the Mini's at Apple's website.