Apple doesn’t discount its newest products on its own site, and the Mac Mini with M4 chip is no exception to that rule. Launched as Apple’s latest compact desktop, this model positioned itself competitively in the mini PC market without being outrageously expensive.
Here’s what’s interesting right now: Apple’s official store on Amazon is now offering the 256GB model for $499, down from the standard $599 price. That’s the same pricing we saw during Prime Day which signals Apple wants to push sales volume on this model. At this price point, the Mac Mini M4 goes head-to-head with Windows-based mini PCs on cost, and when you factor in what you’re getting, it becomes a very compelling choice.
This Deal Is Worth Your Attention
This 2024 Mac Mini comes with Apple’s M4 chip which packs a 10-core CPU and 10-core GPU in a space that’s barely larger than a thick coaster. This was crafted specifically with Apple Intelligence features in mind, so it runs on-device AI functions, high-end photo editing, and creative workflows at incredibly high efficiency.
16GB of unified memory stands out in this case since Apple’s architecture divides this RAM between both the GPU and the CPU so that you won’t experience the kind of bottleneck you’d have on regular systems where graphics and processor memory are separate. With this combined model of memory, you get to edit videos in Final Cut Pro or several high-resolution screens at a time without the system chocking on memory assignment.
256GB SSD storage may sound paltry on paper but Apple’s storage is very fast with read and write rates that surpass many budget Windows desktops. For normal users who stream content, use cloud-based apps and keep photos in iCloud, 256GB gives you all the local space you need. Should you require more, the Thunderbolt 4 ports on the rear let you expand with externded storage at fast speeds.
Let’s talk ports: you get three Thunderbolt 4 connections, two USB-A ports, HDMI, and Gigabit Ethernet on board. That Ethernet port is important to any home worker who needs rock-solid high-speed internet connection and doesn’t want to depend on Wi-Fi, especially during video calls or big file transfers.
The physical design keeps things incredibly compact at just 5 inches square and 2 inches tall: You can tuck this behind a monitor or place it on a desk without it dominating your workspace. The fanless design on lighter workloads means it runs silently, though the M4 can spin up cooling when you’re pushing intensive tasks. This makes it ideal for home offices or living room entertainment centers where fan noise would be distracting.
Seamless integration with iPhone and iPad comes easily if you happen to be in the Apple ecosystem: Continuity features allow you to begin working on your Mac Mini and continue on your iPad, receive calls on your desktop from your iPhone, or have your iPad act like a second monitor with Sidecar. AirDrops transfer between devices in real-time, and Universal Clipboard enables you to copy on one and paste on another.
At $499, this represents an all-time low for the 2024 M4 Mac Mini 256GB and brings Apple’s latest desktop technology within reach of buyers who might have been comparing Windows mini PCs in this price range. Make sure you don’t miss that.
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