The smallest Mac ever is here! Is this a calculator for you?

The new Mac Mini is only slightly larger than an Apple TV. (Image: Apple)

Apple let the cat out of the bag or the smallest apple out of the box yesterday. Various rumors that were circulating online before the launch have actually come true, the Mac Mini is has become a good deal smaller again and can be pre-ordered now. The small computers will be delivered from November 8th. Prices for the new model start at 699 Euro.

While the predecessor’s case was 19.7 × 19.7 centimeters, the dimensions are now just 19.7 × 19.7 centimeters 12.7 × 12.7 centimeters. The new Mac Mini doesn’t quite achieve the compactness of the Apple TV 4K (93 x 93 millimeters), but the size is still considerable considering the expected performance.

Mini or already micro?

The new Mini Mac looks a little like a Mac Studio that has been washed too hot, and we don’t mean that in a negative way at all. There are also similarities to the big brother when it comes to connections. The new M4 Mac Mini has two USB-C ports on the front

A direct comparison to its predecessor shows how small the new model is. (Image: Apple)

According to Apple, both front USB-C ports are used USB 3 tied, the addition 10 GBit/s suggests that it is USB-3.1-Gen-2 should act. There are three more USB-C interfaces on the back, but this time they are connected with Thunderbolt 4.

Thunderbolt 5 only for Pro model

The model with the M4 Pro chip also occupies a special position in this case, as the new standard comes instead of Thunderbolt 4 Thunderbolt 5 for use. There is also an HDMI port and an RJ45 LAN socket on the back.

The fun starts at 699 dollars

The following basic models can be pre-ordered in the Apple Store:

• M4 CPU & GPU mit  10/10 Core CPU & GPU, 16-GB-RAM, 256-GB-SSD: 699 Euro
• M4 CPU & GPU mit 10/10 Core, 16-GB-RAM, 512-GB-SSD: 929 Euro
• M4 CPU & GPU mit 10/10 Core, 24-GB-RAM, 512-GB-SSD: 1.159 Euro
• M4 Pro CPU & GPU mit 12/16 Core, 24-GB-RAM, 512-GB-SSD: 1.649 Euro

In our opinion, the most exciting version is the one with the M4 Pro chip. You can use the device if you wish upgrade to 14/20 core CPU & GPU for a manageable 230 dollars extra

The back and bottom of the new Mac Mini. (Image: Apple)

Editor’s Opinion: Outrageous upgrade prices

One thing right off the bat: I like Apple and have tried all MacBook generations over the years. I appreciate Apple’s simple design and I also really enjoy working with Mac OS. But what I don’t like at all is Apple’s strange surcharge policy.

With the luxury product Mac Pro, which comes from cheap Since it is available for 8,299 dollars, buyers probably no longer care about paying an additional 500 dollars (yes, you read that right, 500 dollars for a few rollers) for a few wheels on the housing. With the bread and butter models, the pricing for upgrades hurts.

The new Mac Mini with M4 chip is a good example of this. This costs the basic Mac Mini with 256 GB SSD Upgrade to 2 TB just 920 dollars and therefore 221 dollars more than a complete Mac Mini in the basic configuration!

A conventional M.2 SSD for PCIe 5.0 with a read/write speed of up to 14,500 or 12,700 MB/s is already available in stores for less than 350 dollars. So you could at Apples World price definitely the word usury put in your mouth.

Steve Jobs already knew why he insisted on a closed system for the Mac. Apple still makes a pretty good living from this decision today, much to the chagrin of its customers.

Mac Mini as a mobile computer?

With its compact size and the low weight of just 670 gramsthe Mini could conquer completely new areas of application. It would be conceivable that you could simply put the little one in your bag and take it with you to work, for example, instead of a notebook.

Of course, the game only works if you can commute between two fully equipped workstations with a monitor and input devices. The Mac Mini will therefore not be able to replace a notebook.

What do you think of the new Mac Mini? Do you think Apple will crush the Mac Studio and also bring the small one with the M4 Ultra chip?