The Mac mini is Apple’s smallest and least expensive desktop. The M4-powered version arrived in late 2024 in a smaller case and with more memory in the base model than the machine it replaced. In August 2026 Apple announced its successor, the 2026 Mac mini with an M6 or M5 Pro chip, and it began shipping on September 22. Apple’s store now sells only the M6 and M5 Pro models, so buying an M4 now means another retailer’s leftover stock or a used or refurbished unit. The Mac mini M4 has macOS and Apple’s ecosystem on its side; Windows mini PCs answer with larger game libraries and user-upgradeable RAM and storage.
What the Base Model Mac mini M4 Gives You
The Mac mini M4 is Apple’s small-form-factor desktop, and this generation shrank the case to 5 x 5 inches. In May 2026 Apple dropped the 256GB configuration and raised the starting price to $799, for a base model with 16GB of unified memory and 512GB of SSD storage, up from the 8GB Apple shipped in previous models. Apple brought a 16GB/256GB option back in June without returning to the $599 price. The M4 Pro version launched at $1,399 and rose to $1,599 in June 2026, with more CPU and GPU capability and support for Thunderbolt 5.
The Mac mini acts as the “brain” of your setup, so you pick the monitor, keyboard, and mouse yourself. That can be cost-effective, since you can reuse peripherals you already own or choose cheaper ones than an all-in-one PC or a MacBook with its fixed screen and keyboard would lock you into.
The M4 pairs a 10-core CPU with a 10-core GPU. Connectivity runs to three Thunderbolt ports (Thunderbolt 4 on the M4, Thunderbolt 5 on the M4 Pro), two front USB-C ports, an HDMI port, and an option for Gigabit or 10Gb Ethernet, with no USB-A port anywhere on the case. The chip’s efficiency keeps the machine virtually silent during everyday tasks.
The M4 Handles Video Editing and 3D Work
With the M4 and M4 Pro, Apple brought hardware-accelerated ray tracing to the Mac mini for the first time, which speeds up 3D rendering in apps that use it. Apple’s own figures for the M4 Pro model include motion graphics rendering to RAM in Motion up to twice as fast as on the M2 Pro. 9to5Mac measured the M6 71 percent ahead of the M4 in the Geekbench 7 Metal GPU test, while the 12-core M4 Pro kept its GPU lead over the M6.
Gaming, RAM, and Ports Are the Weak Points
The M4 offers decent graphics, but macOS still lacks the extensive game libraries available on Windows. RAM and storage are not user-upgradeable, which limits future expansion; external SSD enclosures are the affordable way to add space later.
The number of ports may be insufficient for complex setups, which can mean a Thunderbolt hub or dock. The power button sits on the underside of the case, out of easy reach.
Windows Mini PCs Start Under $300
Windows mini PCs cover basic desktop work, home labs, small businesses, and demanding jobs like gaming and content creation. Some popular choices include:
- KAMRUI Essenx E1: An affordable mini PC for basic tasks featuring an Intel N150 processor and 8GB of RAM.
- Beelink GTi12 Ultra: An Intel Core i9-12900H with 14 cores and 20 threads in a compact case, and it will take an external GPU for gaming.
- GMKtec NucBox K8 Plus: An AMD Ryzen 7 8845HS with eight cores and 16 threads. If you need more gaming power than the AMD Radeon 780M GPU provides, you can connect an external GPU with the included Oculink port.
Many of these machines let you upgrade the RAM and storage yourself, which the Mac mini M4 does not allow, and the cheapest of them sell for under $300. They also give you access to the far larger Windows game library.
Some high-end Windows mini PCs match the Mac mini M4. Cheaper Windows mini PCs vary in build quality, and Windows itself takes more setup than macOS. Some of these machines can be noisy under load due to their cooling systems.
The M6 Beats the M4 on CPU Speed
In 9to5Mac’s review, a 24GB M6 scored 24 percent higher than the M4 in Geekbench 7 single-core and 48 percent higher in multi-core, and it beat the 12-core M4 Pro in both CPU tests. For running language models on your own desk, our comparison of the Mac mini M6 and M5 Pro for local AI covers memory bandwidth, memory ceilings, and measured speeds, including the M6’s much faster prompt processing than the M4.
macOS Pays Off If You Already Own Apple Hardware
The Mac mini M4 runs macOS, so iMessage, AirDrop, and iCloud work on it the same way they do on an iPhone or a MacBook. Windows mini PCs run a wider range of software, many of them take the RAM and storage upgrades a Mac mini cannot, and some, like the Minisforum Mercury EM780, come in smaller cases than the Mac mini.
What Each One Costs to Own
Software, Peripherals, and Repairs
macOS includes iMovie and GarageBand. On Windows, Microsoft 365 Personal costs about $100 a year, and LibreOffice is the free alternative. Both platforms need a monitor, keyboard, and mouse, which a MacBook includes; a decent monitor runs from about $100 to more than $300.
Out-of-warranty Mac repairs go through Apple or an authorized shop. A Windows mini PC with user-replaceable RAM and storage lets you swap the failed part yourself.
Entry Price and Resale Value
The Mac mini M4 last sold new from Apple at $799, a competitive price for its performance and features. Its replacement costs more to get in the door: the M6 model starts at $899 with 16GB of memory and a 256GB SSD, and the M5 Pro model starts at $1,699, according to Apple’s announcement. Windows mini PCs offer a wider range of price points, with some options available for under $300. Our Mac mini Black Friday guide covers which current configuration to buy and how to check the chip on a discounted unit.
Apple’s trade-in values give a Mac mini a documented floor that most Windows mini PCs lack, since their resale value swings with brand and condition. A Mac mini you resell in a few years may cost less to own than the sticker price suggests. Apple’s trade-in program valued the Mac mini at up to $620 as of September 2026, according to MacRumors, with the actual offer depending on the model and configuration.
Buy the M6 New, or an M4 Only at a Discount
The M4 is no longer Apple’s current Mac mini, though it is still a quiet, fast macOS desktop. If you want a new Mac, buy the 2026 Mac mini: the M6 model is faster in both single-core and multi-core work, and the M5 Pro model is the one for video editing and larger local models. An M4 makes sense only when a leftover, used, or refurbished unit sells well below the M6’s $899 starting price. If local AI is the reason you want a Mac mini, read our M6 vs M5 Pro comparison before you buy.
If you want to upgrade the RAM and storage yourself, play the games Windows has and macOS does not, or spend under $300, buy a Windows mini PC: an Essenx E1 for light work, a GTi12 Ultra for content creation, or a NucBox K8 Plus with an external GPU for games. If budget is a primary concern and you still want macOS, look at used M1 and M2 Mac mini models.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the Mac mini worth it for gaming?
Not if games are the point. Integrated graphics on either platform are fine for 1080p, though demanding titles need lower settings, and the macOS game library is much smaller than the Windows one. A Windows mini PC with an Oculink port, like the NucBox K8 Plus, is the better buy.
Is the Mac mini worth it for video editing?
Yes, for typical projects. In TechRadar’s review, the base M4 kept pace in Adobe Premiere Pro as the reviewer added 4K footage and scrolled between scenes. Heavier timelines are where the M5 Pro earns its price.
What are the disadvantages of the Mac mini?
You cannot upgrade the RAM or storage after you buy. The port count may be too low for a complex setup, there is no USB-A port, and the power button sits on the underside of the case. Repairs outside warranty can be expensive, and the game library on macOS is smaller than the one on Windows.
What is the Mac mini good for?
Everyday desktop work, video editing, and 3D rendering. It stays virtually silent during everyday tasks, and because you supply the monitor, keyboard, and mouse, you can reuse peripherals you already own.
