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Apple Silicon Mac mini Q&A
Published December 5, 2024
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What are all the differences between the "M4" and "M4 Pro" Mac mini models? Which is best for my needs?
There are two stock "2024" Mac mini models -- the Mac mini "M4" 10 CPU/10 GPU 2024 and Mac mini "M4 Pro" 12 CPU/16 GPU 2024 -- as well as the configure-to-order Mac mini "M4 Pro" 14 CPU/20 GPU 2024 with a faster processor.
Photo Credit: Apple, Inc. ("2024 M4/M4 Pro" Mac mini)
Although the "2024 M4/M4 Pro" Mac mini models look identical, there actually are a number of significant external and internal differences. It is important to understand these differences in order to select the best option for you.
External Differences
The "2024 M4/M4 Pro" Mac mini models both use the essentially same tiny "cuboid" aluminum case design that is 5.0 inches across and deep and 2.0 inches tall. The "M4 Pro" models are slightly heavier (0.1 of a pound), but the difference is not noticeable and it is not especially important for a desktop Mac, regardless.
All of these models are practically sealed and disposable -- the processor, graphics processor and RAM are not upgradable. However, in a pleasant surprise, the storage actually is mounted on a removable module, and it may be possible to upgrade it subsequently.
Connectivity Differences
Connectivity is an important difference between the "2024 M4" and "2024 M4 Pro" Mac mini models, although it is subtle and not visually apparent, either.
Photo Credit: Apple, Inc. (Mac mini M4/M4 Pro: Top - Front, Bottom - Back)
On the front, all of these models have two front-mounted USB-C ports with support for USB 3 (up to 10 Gb/s) and a 3.5 mm headphone jack. On the back, all have a default Gigabit Ethernet (with 10-Gigabit Ethernet available as a custom configuration option) and an HDMI 2.1 port. They also all support 802.11ax Wi-Fi 6E and Bluetooth 5.3.
However, the entry-level "2024 M4" Mac mini -- the Mac mini "M4" 10 CPU/10 GPU 2024 -- has three Thunderbolt 4 ports (up to 40 Gb/s) whereas the higher-end "2024 M4 Pro" models have three Thunderbolt 5 ports (up to 120 Gb/s). These ports look the same visually, but Thunderbolt 5 is much faster.
In addition to support for the faster Thunderbolt 5 standard, display support is superior on the higher-end Mac mini models, as well. All support as many as three displays, but the entry-level "M4" Mac mini only supports two 6K displays and one 5K display or one 8K display and one 5K display. The higher-end "M4 Pro" models, on the other hand, support as many as three 6K displays or one 8K display and one 6K display.
Identification Differences
As diligently hand documented by EveryMac.com, the "2024 M4" Mac mini and "2024 M4 Pro" Mac mini have different Model Numbers and EMC Numbers externally on the underside.
At least for now, these identifiers are unique to both lines and suitable for specific identification, but the Model Identifier in software also is a reliable way to differentiate between these systems and others for the long-term:
| Mac mini | Model No. | EMC No. | Model ID |
| 2024 M4 | A3238 | 8739 | Mac16,10 |
| 2024 M4 Pro | A3239 | 8852 | Mac16,11* |
* Based on hands-on inspection of the hardware itself, EveryMac.com has visually determined that the Model Identifier of Mac mini models equipped with M4 Pro processors is Mac16,11. However, in some official Apple documentation, the company reports the Model Identifier as "Mac16,15". EveryMac.com believes that Apple's documentation is incorrect, but further research is needed for confirmation. If you have purchased a Mac mini "M4 Pro", please get in touch to help confirm identifiers. Thank you.
Additionally, EveryMac.com's Ultimate Mac Lookup feature can uniquely identify all of these Mac mini models by other identifiers.
More information about specific identifiers is provided in EveryMac.com's extensive Mac Identification section.
Internal Differences
Internally, the "2024 M4" and "2024 M4 Pro" Mac mini models have significant differences.
The entry-level "M4" model -- the Mac mini "M4" 10 CPU/10 GPU 2024 -- has an Apple "M4" SoC with a 10-core CPU/10-core GPU, 16 GB or 24 GB of "unified" memory, and either 256 GB or 512 GB of integrated storage. At the time of initial system purchase, this model can be custom configured with 32 GB of RAM and 1 TB or 2 TB of storage at additional cost, as well.
The higher-end "M4 Pro" models -- the Mac mini "M4 Pro" 12 CPU/16 GPU 2024 and Mac mini "M4 Pro" 14 CPU/20 GPU 2024 -- have a faster Apple "M4 Pro" SoC with more CPU and GPU cores, 24 GB of "unified" memory and 512 GB of integrated storage. At the time of initial system purchase, these models can be custom configured with 48 or 64 GB GB of RAM and 1 TB, 2 TB, 4 TB, or 8 TB of storage.
In terms of performance, the higher-end models are a mere 0.5% faster in single core tasks than the entry-level option, but 38% and 55% faster, respectively, in multicore tasks.
Comparison Chart
The specific differences between processors, architectures, configurations, connectivity, identifiers, and prices for the "2024 M4" and "2024 M4 Pro" Mac mini models are summarized below:
 "2024 M4" |
"2024 M4 Pro" |
|
|---|---|---|
| Processor Type: | Apple M4 | Apple M4 Pro |
| Processor Cores: | 10 | 12, 16 |
| Graphics Cores: | 10 | 16, 20 |
| Std. RAM: | 16 GB, 24 GB | 24 GB |
| Max. RAM: | 32 GB* | 64 GB* |
| Std. Storage: | 256, 512 GB | 512 GB |
| Max. Storage: | 2 TB† | 8 TB† |
| Ext. Displays: | 2 6K; 1 5K | 3 6K |
| 8K Support: | Yes | Yes |
| Thunderbolt: | 3 (4) | 3 (5) |
| USB-C: | 2 | 2 |
| Order Number: | MU9D3LL/A MU9E3LL/A MCYT4LL/A |
MCX44LL/A |
| Model Number: | A3238 | A3239 |
| EMC Number: | 8739 | 8852 |
| Model Identifier: | Mac16,10 | Mac16,11 |
| Intro Price (US): | US$599 US$799 US$999 |
US$1399 US$1599 |
| Intro Price (CA): | C$799 C$1049 C$1299 |
C$1899 C$2149 |
| Intro Price (UK): | £599 £799 £999 |
£1399 £1599 |
| Intro Price (AU): | A$999 A$1299 A$1599 |
A$2199 A$2499 |
| Intro Price (SG): | S$849 S$1149 S$1449 |
S$1999 S$2299 |
* At the time of initial system purchase, the "2024 M4" Mac mini can be custom configured with 32 GB of RAM. The "2024 M4 Pro" can be custom configured with 48 GB or 64 GB of RAM. The RAM cannot be upgraded later at all.
† At the time of initial system purchase, the "2024 M4" Mac mini can be custom configured with 1 TB or 2 TB of storage. The "2024 M4 Pro" can be custom configured with 1 TB, 2 TB, 4 TB, or 8 TB of storage. Because the storage is mounted on a removable card, storage upgrades may be possible.
For pricing information in dozens of other countries, refer to EveryMac.com's Global Original Prices section.
So, which is best for my needs?
Ultimately, if price is your highest priority, the entry-level "2024 M4" Mac mini is your best option; it is the cheapest new Mac that Apple sells. It is more than fast enough for basic productivity and web use these days and it even is practically the same speed as the higher-end models in single core tasks.
However, compared to the entry-level option, the higher-end "2024 M4 Pro" Mac mini models are (1) roughly 38% faster and 55% faster in multicore tasks, (2) have faster Thunderbolt ports, and (3) have superior external display support. At additional cost, they also can be equipped with more RAM and storage. For those who can put the extra performance and better connectivity to good use, the extra cost of a higher-end model definitely could be well worth it.
New & Used Mac mini Purchase Options
There are an abundance of places to buy a used or new Mac mini. However, purchasing from a quality business with a solid track record in the Mac market will provide the best experience and save you money and time, too.
In the US, site sponsor Adorama sells new Mac mini models with free shipping. Other World Computing sells used and refurb Mac mini models at bargain prices with free shipping, as well. Finally, if you need to sell a Mac mini, A+ BBB-rated Cash for Your Mac will buy your older Mac mini with an instant quote and prompt payment.
In the UK, site sponsor Hoxton Macs sells used Mac mini models with a one-year warranty and free next day delivery throughout the UK.
Please refer to EveryMac.com's Ultimate Mac Comparison feature to dynamically compare any Mac mini model to any other Mac.
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