Tag: M4 Pro

  • 2024 Apple Mac Mini: Removable SSD but Hard to Upgrade

    2024 Apple Mac Mini: Removable SSD but Hard to Upgrade

    Apple has launched the 2024 Mac mini, now equipped with improved hardware, including the powerful M4 Pro chip. This model is also the smallest mini PC that Apple offers in its range. However, to get a good amount of storage, you’ll have to spend a significant amount more.

    Upgradeability Concerns

    Recent investigations into the 2024 M4 Mac mini reveal that the SSD is not soldered onto the daughter board. This suggests that users might be able to upgrade the storage themselves, but the actual situation is more complex. The storage module is proprietary and resembles the ones previously used in the Mac Studio and Mac Pro.

    Thus, it’s not simply a matter of swapping in any third-party M.2 SSD for a cheaper storage upgrade on the Mac mini (for example, a 2 TB Samsung 990 EVO currently costs $129.99 on Amazon). Additionally, MacRumors has pointed out that the NAND controller is likely integrated into Apple’s system-on-chip (SoC). Yet, there remains some possibility for upgrades.

    Potential for Upgrades

    A user on X, @ohgkg, mentioned that repair technicians in China managed to enhance the 256 GB version of the 2024 Mac mini to 2 TB by changing the NAND chips. This process isn’t feasible for the typical user since it demands specialized soldering skills and tools. Therefore, even though upgrading is pricey, opting for the SSD modules offered by Apple may be the more convenient choice.

    Performance Insights

    Another intriguing discovery from the teardowns indicates that even the base model of the 2024 Mac mini comes equipped with an SSD module containing two NAND chips. When compared to a single chip module of 256 GB, this setup should provide enhanced transfer speeds.

    Sources include The Verge, MacRumors, and TechRadar.

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  • Apple Reveals Reasons for 2024 Mac Mini’s Bottom Power Button

    Apple Reveals Reasons for 2024 Mac Mini’s Bottom Power Button

    Apple has introduced the 2024 Mac mini, which comes with enhanced hardware and can be equipped with up to the M4 Pro chip. In addition to better performance, this new mini PC is also more compact than the previous model, boasting a footprint that’s less than 50% of its forerunner. One notable design change is the placement of the power button at the bottom, which has stirred some discussion.

    Design Decisions Explained

    In a recent interview, Apple’s senior vice presidents, Greg Joswiak and John Ternus, discussed the reasoning behind moving the power button. They mentioned that the smaller size of the new Mac mini necessitated finding an optimal position for the button, leading to the choice of placing it at the bottom.

    User Experience Considerations

    Some initial feedback regarding the design noted that pushing the relocated power button could be inconvenient when the device is sitting on a table. However, the two executives pointed out that users rarely need to use the power button. This is another justification for its bottom placement on the 2024 Mac mini.

    Most users typically keep their Mac devices powered on, opting for sleep mode instead. Therefore, the power button is mainly used for force restarts or shutdowns. According to the Apple vice presidents, accessing the button in these situations is simple; you just have to “tuck your finger in there.” The weight of the top-tier model is also quite manageable, at only 1.6 lbs (approximately 0.72 kg), making it easy to lift.

    Potential Installation Issues

    Nevertheless, having the power button on the bottom could pose challenges when the 2024 Mac mini is installed behind a monitor or TV, such as the AOC CQ27G3Z gaming monitor, which is currently priced at $249.99 on Amazon. The vice presidents did not address this scenario, suggesting that Apple might not have considered this particular setup when designing the new model.

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  • Apple Analyst Reveals Timeline for 2nm Processors and MacBook Pro Updates

    Apple Analyst Reveals Timeline for 2nm Processors and MacBook Pro Updates

    Apple has yet to begin shipping the new Mac products that were announced last week. However, Mark Gurman is already looking ahead to what the company might reveal for future MacBook Pro devices as far ahead as 2026. Just to give some background, Apple updated the 24-inch iMac, Mac mini, MacBook Pro 14, and MacBook Pro 16 at the end of October, introducing the new M4 Pro and M4 Max chipsets.

    Only One Redesigned Product

    Out of these updates, only the Mac mini (currently $799 – 512 GB on Amazon) received a complete redesign. Historically, Apple has refreshed the design of the MacBook Pro every four years. However, the last update was delayed by an additional year, which aligned with the launch of the Apple M1 chipsets.

    Future Designs and Delays

    Gurman indicates that Apple is likely to take a similar amount of time again before introducing new designs for the MacBook Pro lineup. This delay appears to be linked to production issues with the expected tandem OLED panels, which Apple aimed to have ready by next year. Consequently, the MacBook Pro models expected next year will primarily feature the M5, M5 Pro, and M5 Max chipsets.

    What’s Coming in 2026

    In contrast, the next generation of MacBook Pros is anticipated to integrate a new design alongside tandem OLED displays for the very first time. Additionally, Gurman mentions that the Apple M6 chipsets will transition to a 2 nm manufacturing process, down from the 3 nm process used for the M4 and M5 series. Therefore, the MacBook Pros released in 2026 are expected to be much more efficient compared to the current models, while also providing a significant improvement in performance and maximum display brightness.

    Mark Gurman & Bloomberg via 9to5Mac

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  • Apple M4 Max SoC Confirmed in Leaked Official Media Assets

    Apple M4 Max SoC Confirmed in Leaked Official Media Assets

    Apple has rolled out its new Macs in a staggered manner, introducing a new model each day. Over the past couple of days, we’ve seen the launch of the M4-equipped iMac and the newly revamped Mac Mini, which comes with both the M4 and M4 Pro SoCs.

    Anticipation for the MacBook Pro

    Now, all eyes are on the MacBook Pro, which is expected to be revealed tomorrow, assuming everything goes smoothly. Mark Gurman has been largely spot-on with his predictions regarding Apple’s Macs, so it’s reasonable to anticipate the arrival of the MacBook Pro 14 and 16 models, equipped with the M4 Pro and M4 Max.

    Details on the M4 Pro and M4 Max

    Apple has already confirmed the M4 Pro chip. Additionally, we might have just received a hint about the M4 Max SoC, thanks to a media asset found by developer Charlie Joseph. This news isn’t shocking, as it’s quite likely that the MacBook Pro will feature both the Pro and Max versions of the M4, keeping in line with the company’s established patterns.

    Sadly, there isn’t any information available about the core counts for the M4 Max yet. The M4 Pro caught me off guard by packing 14 cores, including an impressive 10 performance cores, which is a jump from the six maximum performance cores seen in the previous M3. The M4 Max probably will have even more performance cores, possibly around 12 or 14, along with two or four efficiency cores, leading to a total of 16 or 18 CPU cores, based on past trends.

    GPU Core Specifications

    When it comes to GPU cores, things are a bit clearer. The standard M4 chip has up to 10 GPU cores, while the M4 Pro doubles that to 20. Therefore, it’s likely that the M4 Max will feature up to 40 GPU cores, matching its predecessor. With the M4 Pro and M4 Max-equipped MacBook Pro lineup set to launch as early as tomorrow, we won’t have to wait long to find out more.

    Charlie Joseph via Twitter.

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  • Apple Mac Mini with M4 Chip: Compact Design and Powerful Performance

    Apple Mac Mini with M4 Chip: Compact Design and Powerful Performance

    Following the announcement of the M4 iMac yesterday, Apple has shifted its focus back to the Mac lineup with a significant update to the Mac Mini. The latest version comes equipped with the new M4 chip and enhanced Apple Intelligence features, all packed into a notably smaller design. Let’s dive into the specifics.

    Design and Specifications

    The most striking alteration is the revamped design. As anticipated, Apple has considerably minimized the already compact Mac Mini. Now measuring just five inches on each side, this model is astonishingly tiny.

    To manage heat in such a compact space, the M4 Mac Mini employs "an innovative thermal architecture" that effectively directs airflow throughout the system, with ventilation solely through the base.

    Ports and Performance

    Even with its reduced size, the Mac Mini still offers a good range of ports. On the front, there are two USB-C ports alongside a 3.5mm headphone jack. The back includes ethernet, HDMI, and three USB-C ports, all supporting Thunderbolt connections.

    Interestingly, the USB-A ports found in earlier models have been removed. However, the layout remains similar, as the base M4 Mini replaces the two USB-A ports with an additional Thunderbolt port, bringing the total to five.

    The performance of these ports varies depending on the version of the M4 processor. The standard M4 includes Thunderbolt 4, while the M4 Pro comes with the newer Thunderbolt 5, which offers quicker read and write speeds.

    Performance and Configuration

    As expected, the M4 Pro outperforms with its 14-core CPU and 20-core GPU setup. In contrast, the base M4 chip features a 10-core CPU and 10-core GPU.

    For the first time, the latest chip architecture supports ray tracing, and Apple provides the computer with a default RAM of 16GB, likely to enhance the Apple Intelligence features. Users have the option to upgrade RAM to 32GB with the M4 and up to 64GB with the M4 Pro.

    Storage options are impressive, reaching up to 8TB, making the small Mac Mini a surprisingly robust machine for those ready to spend. The familiar 10-gigabit ethernet is also available as an optional upgrade for users desiring faster wired connections.

    Pricing and Availability

    Despite Apple’s efforts to enhance the portability and functionality of the new Mini, the pricing remains largely unchanged. The base M4 model starts at $599, while the more powerful M4 Pro edition is priced from $1,399. Both configurations are now available for pre-order and will hit stores on November 8th.

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