I Bought My Mum the New $599 M4 Mac Mini | Here’s What She Says

M4 Mac Mini Review by a Happy Mum

Apple recently shook up the Mac lineup by introducing the new M4 Mac Mini in a series of press releases rather than a traditional launch event. As an affordable entry into the macOS ecosystem, the Mac Mini has often been overlooked—until now. With its compact design, powerful M4 chip, and an attractive starting price of $599, it’s one of the best-value Apple products in years. I decided to surprise my mum with this tiny yet mighty machine, and here’s what she had to say.

Unboxing Experience: A Minimalist Delight

The first thing you notice about any Apple product is the premium unboxing experience. Opening the Mac Mini is no different:

• (Box clunks): The sturdy packaging reassures you that the contents inside are well-protected.
• (Tape tearing): The signature Apple packaging makes unboxing feel like an event.
• (Wrap rustling): Unveiling the device feels satisfying and elegant.
• (Chilled lo-fi music in the background): A calming atmosphere adds to the premium feel.

Despite its small size, the Mac Mini feels like a well-built piece of tech that’s ready to deliver serious performance.

Mum’s Experience with the M4 Mac Mini

Now, this was an interesting test. My mum, who usually sticks to her phone for browsing and emails, gave the M4 Mac Mini a shot. To my surprise, she found it incredibly easy to use. The smooth macOS experience, combined with its fast response times, made it effortless for her to navigate through tasks. She loved how quick Safari loaded pages, and even enjoyed using FaceTime on the big screen.

Her only hiccup? Getting used to the Magic Mouse—it took a few tries, but she eventually got the hang of it.

The Insane Design: Tiny But Mighty

The most striking feature of the new M4 Mac Mini is its size. Apple has taken compact computing to the next level with a 5-inch by 5-inch footprint and 2-inch height. To put that in perspective:

• It’s smaller than a new roll of duct tape.
• It’s barely larger than an iPhone.
• It’s even more compact than an Apple TV.

Apple has clearly been on a mission to make their desktop computers as small as possible, and this latest iteration proves they are succeeding. Despite its compact size, the Mac Mini is packed with power, making it an impressive feat of engineering.

Port Selection: Compact, Yet Functional

Even with its reduced size, Apple has managed to keep the Mac Mini’s connectivity options practical. Here’s what you get:

• Gigabit Ethernet (by default)
• Full-size HDMI (a rare feature in today’s ultra-thin devices)
• Three Thunderbolt ports (for high-speed data transfer and peripherals)
• Two USB-C 3 ports (on the front, making access easy)
• 3.5mm headphone jack

However, there’s no SD card reader and no USB-A ports, meaning you may need dongles if you’re still using older accessories.

Power Button Placement: The Apple “Conspiracy”

Apple seems to have a tradition of placing at least one bizarre design choice in every product, and this time it’s the power button placement—located underneath the Mac Mini. While this might not be a dealbreaker, it’s certainly an odd choice that has left many scratching their heads. Luckily, since most people don’t frequently turn their Macs on and off manually, it’s a minor inconvenience rather than a major flaw.

Performance: A Game-Changer at $599

At its price point, the base model M4 Mac Mini is an absolute steal. Here’s why:

• M4 Chip: Features a 10-core CPU and 10-core GPU, delivering exceptional power efficiency.
• 16GB Unified Memory: A huge leap from the previous base model’s 8GB.
• Everyday Performance: Handles web browsing, music streaming, and multitasking effortlessly.
• Medium-Grade Tasks: Works well for photo editing, coding, and productivity apps.
• Gaming & Video Editing: While not built for heavy-duty gaming or 4K video editing, it performs decently for lighter tasks.

The “Apple Price Ladder” Trap: Should You Upgrade?

Apple is notorious for tempting users into upgrading their base models, and the Mac Mini follows the same pattern:

• Base Storage: Comes with 256GB SSD, which might feel limiting for some users.
• Upgrade Costs: Jumping to 1TB costs $400 extra, while adding 10 Gigabit Ethernet costs $100 more.
• Better Alternative: Instead of upgrading the base Mac Mini, you could almost buy another one at the upgrade price.

For most users, the base model is the best value, unless you’re working with large media files and require additional storage.

Who Should Buy the M4 Mac Mini?

The new M4 Mac Mini is an excellent choice for:

1. Casual Users: Ideal for web browsing, emails, and office work.
2. Students: Affordable, compact, and powerful enough for research and projects.
3. Content Creators (Light Workloads): Handles photo editing and medium-level video editing with ease.
4. Developers: Great for coding and app development on macOS.
5. Budget Mac Enthusiasts: A perfect entry-level device to experience macOS without breaking the bank.

Verdict: An Incredible Deal

After using the M4 Mac Mini, my mum was genuinely impressed by its performance, compact size, and ease of use. Apple has outdone itself by offering an incredibly powerful, ultra-compact computer at an unbeatable price.

If you’re looking for the best-value Mac in 2024, the base model M4 Mac Mini at $599 (or $499 with a student discount) is an absolute steal. Just be mindful of Apple’s price ladder strategy if you’re considering upgrades.

What Do You Think?

Are you considering buying the M4 Mac Mini? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below!

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