Cupertino, California – Apple introduced its latest innovation in compact desktop computing with the launch of the new Mac Mini, equipped with the powerful M4 and M4 Pro chips. This update not only boosts the Mac Mini’s processing and graphics capabilities but also establishes it as Apple’s first carbon-neutral Mac, a significant milestone in the company’s environmental goals.
The new Mac Mini, measuring just five by five inches, represents a major leap in performance, boasting up to 1.8 times the CPU speed and 2.2 times the GPU power over the M1-based model. With an ultra-efficient, compact design powered by Apple Silicon, it showcases advanced thermal architecture that optimizes airflow, ensuring peak performance in a minimal footprint. The M4 model is now available for pre-order at a starting price of $599, and the enhanced M4 Pro, featuring up to 14 CPU cores and 20 GPU cores, begins at $1,399.
Enhanced Power and Connectivity
The M4 Pro chip elevates the Mac Mini to new heights with expanded multithreaded performance, bringing twice the GPU power of the M4 chip. Apple’s decision to include Thunderbolt 5 for the first time on the M4 Pro model provides data transfer speeds up to 120 Gb/s, making it easier for users to connect high-speed external storage and multiple accessories simultaneously.
The M4 Pro also brings hardware-accelerated ray tracing to the Mac Mini, an attractive feature for developers and creatives working with complex 3D projects. Compared to Intel’s Core i7 Mac Mini, the M4 Pro chip delivers massive gains in productivity, performing 4 times faster in Excel and up to 26 times faster in DNA sequencing software.
Pioneering Apple Intelligence
An integral part of the new Mac Mini is its inclusion of Apple Intelligence, a suite of personal productivity tools underpinned by powerful on-device generative AI models and advanced privacy protections. Available with macOS Sequoia 15.1, Apple Intelligence offers systemwide Writing Tools, enabling users to proofread, summarize, and refine text across applications. Integrated with an enhanced Siri, it allows for a seamless combination of voice and text commands, simplifying day-to-day tasks.
Apple Intelligence also includes unique creative tools like “Image Playground” and “Genmoji,” enabling users to quickly generate original images or custom emojis. Later this year, the inclusion of ChatGPT in Apple Intelligence will allow users to access generative AI capabilities directly through Siri, all while benefiting from Apple’s rigorous privacy protections.
First Carbon-Neutral Mac: A Sustainability Benchmark
The Mac Mini is a testament to Apple’s commitment to sustainable innovation. With over 50% of its materials made from recycled content, including aluminum, rare earth elements, and gold, it represents an 80% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions. This aligns with Apple’s broader sustainability target to be carbon neutral across its entire supply chain by 2030.
With renewable energy powering its manufacturing and a fiber-based, fully recyclable packaging, Apple has prioritized a lower-carbon product lifecycle. The company has also offset remaining emissions through nature-based carbon credits, like its Restore Fund initiative.
macOS Sequoia Completes the Experience
The new Mac Mini runs on macOS Sequoia, which introduces seamless integration with iPhones through Mirroring, enhanced Safari features, and a Distraction Control option for streamlined browsing. Gaming experiences are further improved through enhanced spatial audio and a reimagined Game Mode, appealing to gamers who can now enjoy smoother and more immersive play.
The launch of the Mac Mini with the M4 chip marks Apple’s continued push into high-performance, sustainable computing, catering to a diverse range of users from business professionals to creatives and gamers. This next-generation device not only raises the bar for compact desktop computers but also solidifies Apple’s vision of a more efficient and eco-conscious future.
