In my 30 years of life, I have only used Windows, Linux and ChromeOS computers with only being able to see the officemates using Macs. This year I was given the opportunity to review the Mac Mini with the Apple M4 chip which was launched in Malaysia late last year.
From my experience using Windows 95, Windows XP, Windows Vista, Windows 7,8,10 and now Windows 11 I feel the transition to macOS was the right choice. In this Mac Mini M4 review article, I will share the reasons why and is it a worthwhile transition?
SPECIFICATIONS AND DESIGN
Type Compact desktop computer
CPU Apple M4 (3nm)
4-core performance
6-core efficiency
GPU Apple GPU
10-core
NPU Apple NPU
16-core
Memory 16GB
Storage 512GB
Connection Ports 5x USB-C (1x Thunderbolt 4)
1x Ethernet
1x HDMI
1x 3.5mm audio jack
Built-in Audio Speaker
Button Physical power button on the bottom
Power 100V to 240V AC
155W
AI Yes, Apple Intelligence
Other Bluetooth 5.3
WiFi 6E
Price RM3,349
Since entering the university era, I have often used laptops only. My PC use is only limited to when there is work in the laboratory. Then in the work era, throughout the 6 years – Mac Mini was my first desktop. It provided an amazing experience because a computer whose specifications on paper are very powerful can be packed into a very compact size.
Imagine, a device measuring 50mm x 127mm x 127mm and weighing 670 grams can accommodate 16GB RAM, 512GB SSD internal storage and Apple M4 10-core CPU + 10-core GPU + 16-core NPU chip. Not only that, this ultra-compact desktop computer also includes 3x USB-C connection ports (2x USB 4, 1x Thunderbolt 4), 1x Ethernet and 1x HDMI 2.0 on the back. While on the front there are 2x USB-C USB 3 and 1x 3.5mm audio jack. Underneath this Mac Mini there are also Dolby Atmos speakers that are quite loud.
This new Mac Mini also supports WiFi 6E, Bluetooth 5.3 and runs the new macOS Sequoia 15 complete with Apple Intelligence generative AI features. Because of this small design, Apple also had to place the power button on the bottom of the device. Honestly, I have no problem with this button because I have learned that Mac users do not turn off their devices. When this article was written, for the first time my Uptime reached more than 5 days (yes, not long).
This small design also makes it easier for me to organize my desk and looks very minimalist, complete with Apple Magic Keyboard, Apple Trackpad and Apple Magic Mouse. For the first time, I also felt calm because my workstation settings were very simple and uncluttered.
USING EXPERIENCE
STUDIO DISPLAY
This is probably the best monitor I have ever tested. In terms of specifications such as the LCD panel used, brightness, built-in quality speaker support and there is also a quality webcam provided. The monitor also has its own cooling system that ensures that heating will not occur. Finally, the hinge and leg system used is very premium and easy.
I only use the Studio Display to type articles, edit photos and videos and watch movies. It may be very overkill but it is actually not suitable for me. That is why after a few weeks I handed it over to the video team for video editing tasks with more accurate colors. With this, a more fair test by a more expert video team in judging the display performance can be done.
Apple Studio Display to me is a monitor and also a decorative art for a beautiful and minimal computer desk. Every corner of this monitor is very appreciated and every day I arrive at the office, my heart will definitely feel happy and calm.
MAC MINI M4 + MACOS
As a first-time macOS user, it's actually not as difficult as I expected. It's just that using the Mac ecosystem requires a lot of patience. For me, only the system settings and shortcuts to access something are confusing. I feel Apple has done a pretty good job in making iOS, iPadOS and macOS look more or less the same for smoother use.
I am also very grateful that the Spotlight search feature is very useful. It's no wonder Windows is so eager to integrate AI into their search features. Apple has been offering the best search features since before Apple Intelligence. Because of this, I also understand why file managers don't need to be as great as Windows or Android. The files you want just need to search and you can easily find them.
The macOS interface is also very simple. It is pleasing to the eye and packed with useful features and functions. For a Windows user who does not rely much on third-party applications to complete the user experience, I feel that macOS also provides the same experience. Everything I want to do is available by default. In fact, I do not use many third-party applications on macOS.
Mission Control is another useful feature on macOS. When I do product review work, I will have many windows open. One for editing, one for organizing files, one for web browsing to do research, there will be a window with a note application and more. Although Windows has more or less the same features, the implementation on macOS is very perfect and I use it more often than on Windows.
I also like that on macOS, I feel that users have more control over system settings than on an iPad or iPhone. In fact, I feel that macOS system settings are much better than Windows. One Windows feature that I really appreciate that I miss a lot on macOS is, Snap windows by simply dragging and dropping them to any side, top or bottom of the screen to open multiple windows at once.
For AI, macOS has Apple Intelligence. Because I know the weaknesses of Apple Intelligence after using it on iPhone and iPad I know that it is less useful on macOS. Even though it is less useful at this point, it is actually a good thing for users. Because of this AI feature, all basic Mac models now have 16GB of memory as a minimum. So if AI is not utilized, many other tasks can be done perfectly, efficiently, quickly and smoothly.
An example is high-quality video editing. No matter on Adobe Premiere Pro or Capcut, any video of 5 minutes or more will only take less than 1 minute to process. Editing performance with many applications running in the background and many active windows open is also much faster than on Windows devices with the same amount of memory. Clearly here, the configuration and design of the Apple M4 chip is done so well that no Windows device configuration that is more or less the same can be purchased for a starting price of RM2,499.
MAGIC KEYBOARD + MAGIC MOUSE + TOUCHPAD
At the beginning of use I was very worried because I was afraid that it would be difficult to use. My expectations were right because it took me about 3 weeks to get used to it. Even to this day I'm still not used to shortcut keys. What I am used to is the use of gestures on the Apple Magic Trackpad touchpad.
After only two weeks of use, I immediately understand why many Macbook users prefer to use the Trackpad only. Just over a month later I wanted to try the Logitech MX Master 3s mouse, the Mac version. Both the mouse and the touchpad are the best on the macOS system, far different from Windows where gestures only work sometimes.
For the Magic Mouse, less than 30 minutes of use I immediately gave it to another editor because it was completely unsuitable for use. If I were given a choice of a gadget that does not need to exist in the world, I would choose the Magic Mouse. I would rather use the Samsung Galaxy screen as a touchpad on DeX than this strange mouse.
PERFORMANCE AND BENCHMARKS
For benchmarks on macOS, it does not support PCMark 10 or CrystalDiskMark. Instead, I only tested with 3DMark Wild Life Extreme, Cinebench and AmorphousDiskMark. For Cinebench, two tests were conducted, namely for single core and multi-core. The single core test results showed the Apple M4 chip on this Mac Mini with a score of 2,169 which far surpassed the five Intel Core i7 chips.
Meanwhile, for the multi-core test, the M4 was in fourth place with a value of 13,345 below the two AMD Ryzen Threadpiper 1950X and 2990WX chips. For the 3DMark Wild Life Extreme test, it displayed a score of 9,830 – with an FPS capability of 58.9. This is quite high and is capable of running AAA video games on auto or medium settings.
Finally, for the SSD test. This test was conducted with several applications running in the background. For a computer that is busy operating and the memory can read and write at a rate of 3,486.12 MB/s and above, it is a good performance. It's just not fast enough and if possible I would like the ability to be about twice as fast. This can be felt when transferring files and also installing applications.
ECOSYSTEM
If you use Apple products, it is not valid not to use them together with other Apple products. During the use of this Mac Mini M4, for the first time I finally got to experience the use of Sidecar which turns the iPad screen into a monitor. I can also answer iPhone phone calls directly on the Mac, easily do copy and paste work, and indirectly make my daily tasks more efficient. If you have money, this complete ecosystem is very worth experiencing.
WHAT'S IN THE BOX
In every purchase of Apple Mac Mini with M4 chip, here is what you will get in the box;
1x Mac Mini M4
1x Power cable
1x Document set
Other items such as Magic Keyboard, Magic Trackpad, Magic Mouse, new Thunderbolt cable and Apple Studio Display need to be purchased separately.
CONCLUSION
So is the Apple Mac Mini M4 a computer worth owning? The answer is yes.! Believe me, no other Windows computer with more or less the same specifications and more or less the same capabilities can sell their devices at a starting price of under RM2,500. What Apple has done is great for all users, be it students or professionals. This is the most powerful compact computer that everyone should use.
For a Windows user for over two decades who has migrated to macOS, it is true what people say – “Once you have used a Mac, it is really hard to move on.” When I came home and went back to using Windows, all the controls became awkward. What you want to do on a computer such as typing/document management, video editing, playing video games, for entertainment, coding work, and more can all be done on the base model Mac Mini M4.
PROS AND ADVANTAGES
Very powerful for a small computer.
5x USB-C which is useful.
Has Ethernet and HDMI support.
Very smooth performance.
Modern and minimalist compact design.
Has built-in speakers.
CONS AND DISADVANTAGES
The power button is on the bottom which is very annoying.
It is a bit difficult to make it into a portable computer set like a NUC device.
Models with Apple M4 chip are limited to Thunderbolt 4 only, not Thunderbolt 5.
Memory is not upgradeable.
The USB-C port on the back does not work if there is insufficient power supply.