I’ve had my M4 Mac mini for 2 weeks now, and it nonetheless appears form of outstanding that this tiny little field can accomplish that a lot. My makes use of for the M4 mini are in all probability unconventional, however that’s additionally the fantastic thing about the product: it serves a flexible set of wants, all at a really low value level (now $499). Listed here are my takeaways after a fortnight of use.
It matches in wherever you need it
As you’ll be able to see above, my Mac mini at the moment lives on my nightstand shelf, proper subsequent to my M4 iPad Professional. I name it the M4 shelf (no, probably not).
The Mac mini is so small, it may possibly really slot in wherever you want it:
- on a giant or tiny desk
- below a desk
- on a TV stand
- in a bookshelf
- or sure, in a nightstand
A nightstand may usually be a fairly inconvenient location for a Mac mini. Partly for the monitor subject, which I’ll handle in a second, but additionally due to ports.
Fortuitously, Apple’s M4 redesign put two USB-C ports and a headphone jack on the entrance of the system. Connecting to these ports is a lot simpler than it might have been on prior fashions, offering extra flexibility in the place you’ll be able to place your laptop. It’s a small contact, however one I’m grateful for.
It might disappear rather well
My M4 mini and iPad Professional sitting snugly facet by facet works particularly effectively as a result of the iPad is definitely my main monitor for the Mac mini.
I’ve by no means been a fan of being caught to a desk all day. I a lot desire to work from a wide range of spots round the home and often get outdoors the house too.
Consequently, the iPad Professional with its built-in mobile connection has lengthy been my productiveness system of selection. So it solely made sense to me that the iPad be my main Mac monitor.
I’ve a wired setup for connecting the 2 gadgets, and wi-fi choices as effectively—good for the flexibility of my working habits.
As a result of I entry my Mac mini by the iPad, the pc just about feels prefer it disappears. It sits on my nightstand, and I can connect with it from wherever I’m.
I nonetheless camp out in iPadOS more often than not, however after I want to make use of a Mac, macOS is there ready for me as simply one other iPad app.
It’s a full-powered, spectacular laptop
Regardless of relegating my Mac mini to a bit of nightstand shelf, and accessing it by my iPad Professional, I don’t imply in any solution to diminish its capabilities.
This Mac is a full-powered beast of a pc. It has:
- the most recent M4 chip
- 16GB RAM
- upgraded Neural Engine for Apple Intelligence
- {hardware}‑accelerated ray tracing for gaming
- plus strong I/O with help for driving three shows
- and naturally, all of the capabilities of macOS
For a bit of 5×5 field that may match wherever you need it and largely disappear, it’s a outstanding feat of engineering.
Coming subsequent: Mac Digital Show in visionOS 2.2
All of this solely scratches the floor of what the M4 Mac mini can do. However one function I’m particularly excited for is the upgraded Mac Digital Show help in visionOS 2.2.
Because the M4 Mac mini will get out of the way in which so simply, it’s form of the proper system to pair with a Imaginative and prescient Professional. You should use the 2 collectively now, however the enhancements coming to Mac Digital Show in visionOS 2.2 subsequent month will make it even higher.
Whether or not you’re utilizing your Mac by way of an iPad, a Imaginative and prescient Professional, and even going the normal route of a desk and monitor, one factor is obvious: the M4 Mac mini is a novel laptop that matches into Apple’s lineup like no different.
How are you utilizing your Mac mini? Tell us within the feedback.
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