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Apple Silicon Mac mini Q&A
Update Published December 4, 2024
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What custom processor options are available for the Apple Silicon Mac mini?
As confirmed by teardowns of the M1 (2020), M2/M2 Pro (2023), and M4/M4 Pro (2024) Apple Silicon Mac mini models, the processor cannot be upgraded after initial system purchase.
Photo Credit: Apple, Inc. (Apple Silicon Mac mini)
Many of the Apple Silicon Mac mini models cannot have the processor upgraded at the initial time of system purchase, either.
However, two models can, or could, be custom configured with faster processors:
Apple Silicon Mac mini |
Custom Processor Option |
Both of these custom processor options cost an extra US$200 over the stock models.
What type of RAM does the Apple Silicon Mac mini use? Can it be upgraded?
All Apple Silicon Mac mini models have "unified" RAM integrated with the SoC. The RAM cannot be upgraded after the initial purchase of the system at all.
However, all Apple Silicon Mac mini models can have the RAM upgraded at the time of initial system purchase, but the specific options vary:
Apple Silicon Mac mini |
Std. RAM |
Max RAM |
Upg. Price |
8 GB |
16 GB |
US$200 |
|
8 GB |
16 GB |
US$200 |
|
16 GB |
32 GB |
US$400 |
|
16 GB |
32 GB |
US$400 |
|
16 GB |
32 GB |
US$400 |
|
24 GB |
48 GB |
US$400 |
|
24 GB |
48 GB |
US$400 |
By contrast, the last Intel-based "Late 2018" Mac mini models do have upgradable memory. These systems have two memory slots and use 2666 MHz PC4-21300 DDR4 SO-DIMMs. They support as much as 64 GB of RAM using two 32 GB memory modules. It took six years for the Mac mini to again support this much memory.
What type of internal storage does the Apple Silicon Mac mini use? Is it possible to upgrade it?
As confirmed by teardowns of the M1 (2020) and M2/M2 Pro (2023) Apple Silicon Mac mini models, storage is onboard and it is not possible to upgrade it after initial system purchase. For those holding out hope that faster Mac mini models at least would have storage on a removable module like the Mac Studio, it was disappointing.
These Apple Silicon Mac mini models could be upgraded with more storage than the default at the time of initial system purchase, though:
Apple Silicon Mac mini |
Default SSDs |
SSD Options |
256 GB, 512 GB |
1 TB, 2 TB |
|
256 GB, 512 GB |
1 TB, 2 TB |
|
512 GB |
1 TB, 2 TB, 4 TB, 8 TB |
|
512 GB |
1 TB, 2 TB, 4 TB, 8 TB |
In a pleasant surprise, a teardown of the current M4/M4 Pro (2024) Apple Silicon Mac mini determined that the SSD storage is provided on a removable module that is similar, but not identical, to the earlier Mac Studio.
In a ballsy experiment, the legendary "DOS Dude" was able to successfully remove the original storage on a brand new Mac mini "M4" 10 CPU/10 GPU 2024 module with a heat gun, resolder larger capacity, blank NAND storage (K6B2) onto the module, and then restore the Mac mini M4 operating system in DFU (Device Firmware Update) mode:
Of course, this is well beyond the capabilities, or even equipment, of the typical Mac upgrade customer, but it is extremely impressive work and bodes well for the possibility of more "plug and play" NAND storage modules becoming available in the future.
For mere mortals, the M4/M4 Pro Mac mini models also can be configured with more storage at the time of system purchase:
Apple Silicon Mac mini |
Default SSDs |
SSD Options |
256 GB, 512 GB |
1 TB, 2 TB |
|
512 GB |
1 TB, 2 TB, 4 TB, 8 TB |
|
512 GB |
1 TB, 2 TB, 4 TB, 8 TB |
The last Mac mini models to have easy-to-upgrade internal storage were the "Late 2014" Mac mini line.
Also see: What external storage options are available for the Apple Silicon Mac mini? Which is the best?
What are the custom configuration options for the Apple Silicon Mac mini?
For the initial "2020, M1" Apple Silicon Mac mini -- the Mac mini "M1" 8-Core 3.2 (2020) -- Apple just offered the options of additional RAM, storage, and faster Ethernet, at the time of purchase:
| Mac mini | RAM | SSD | Ethernet | Processor |
| 2020, M1 | 16 GB | 1 TB 2 TB |
10-Gigabit | None |
For the "2023, M2/M2 Pro" Apple Silicon Mac mini models, Apple added more custom configuration options at the time of purchase:
| Mac mini | RAM | SSD | Ethernet | Processor |
| 2023, M2 | 16 GB 24 GB |
1 TB 2 TB |
10-Gigabit | None |
| 2023, M2 Pro | 32 GB | 1 TB 2 TB 4 TB 8 TB |
10-Gigabit | M2 Pro 12-Core CPU/19-Core GPU |
For the "2024, M4/M4 Pro" Apple Silicon Mac mini, custom configuration options are similar to their predecessor, although the RAM capacity options are significantly higher:
| Mac mini | RAM | SSD | Ethernet | Processor |
| 2024, M4 | 32 GB | 1 TB 2 TB |
10-Gigabit | None |
| 2024, M4 Pro | 48 GB 64 GB |
1 TB 2 TB 4 TB 8 TB |
10-Gigabit | M4 Pro 14-Core CPU/20-Core GPU |
There are no additional custom configuration options for the Apple Silicon Mac mini and with the possible exception of storage on the 2024, M4/M4 Pro Mac mini models, these upgrades cannot be made after the initial purchase of the computer, either.
Where can I buy a Apple Silicon Mac mini?
In the US, you always can buy a new Mac directly from Apple, but you often can get a better deal by buying your new Apple Silicon Mac mini from an Apple Authorized Reseller like site sponsor Adorama. Adorama commonly has deep discounts on recently discontinued models, too. Other World Computing sells used and refurb Mac mini models at bargain prices with free shipping, as well.
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.
Who designed the Apple Silicon Mac mini?
Of course, all of Apple's Macs have been designed by hundreds of hardworking employees, but the company's industrial design for many years has been performed entirely in-house by Apple's Industrial Design Group.
For the "guts" of the Apple Silicon Mac mini, Apple's "Hardware Technologies" group, led by Johny Srouji, also deserves a great deal of credit, too.
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