M4 (2024) Apple Mac Mini – Any users?

Afternoon Folks,

I’m looking at one of the above to replace an ageing iMac.

Looking at either the base model or middle spec, retaining my Apple mouse and keyboard and then probably splashing out with a 24-27” monitor.

I’m keen to get thoughts on how the set ups are working in practice and get some screen recommendations.

All help/thoughts etc most welcome 🙂

Following as I’m looking to upgrade my intel based mini while it’s still worth something at trade in.

I run two monitors off mine, a dell S2722QC which is absolutely fine for office work and web browsing, and a gigabyte M32U which is primarily my work laptop / PS5 monitor but gets used with the Mac for photo work.

From what I read, the base model is great value, anything above that not so much (£200 to get an extra 256gb of disk or £400 to get that disk and 8GB extra memory)

Unless you’re doing something that needs above 16GB of memory, I think the base is fine. Whether 512 GB disk is needed or not? I already have a couple of data drives plugged into the back of my mini so I think probably not for me.

Did this just before Christmas, replacing a 21.5″ late 2013 Intel IMac with M4 Mini. Went for the std with 16GB Memory and 512GB disk (IMac had ~ 350GB on it). After much deliberation on screens I went for the stupidly expensive Studio Display.

Easy transfer of my account and data from the iMac to Mini. I didn’t try and transfer (non Apple) applications but re-downloaded from the various websites in case there was a difference between the Intel and Apple based versions.

Everything I have done so far seems fine and working well.  Can collaborate with my brother now on files via iCloud (in the app rather than a browser) which I couldnt do before due to latest supported OS being Catalina

One of the reasons for changing was to clear up my desk when working from home on a work Microsoft laptop. I can now share one decent screen between both systems rather than having (and constantly moving out the way when using iMac) the work supplied (cheap) screen.

> to replace an ageing iMac.

How old an iMac? You may find it a downgrade in screen, there are still _very_ few options that offer a meaningful improvement over the 5k retina iMacs. I’m still using the screen from my 2015 one as a monitor* as even a modern studio display at about 1.5k is no better.

So if it’s a 5k iMac and you want an equivalent screen, you’ll need significant budget for that.

*I can elaborate if there’s interest, but it’s not for those scared of electronics internals, ordering electronics from China or large sheets of glass held on by adhesive…

I am a big fan of this Dell 27″ 4K monitor; https://www.ebuyer.com/1419906-dell-27-inch-2k-usb-c-professional-monitor-dell-p2723qe

..but think you’ll find lots of useful info in this recent thread; https://singletrackworld.com/forum/topic/apple-uses-do-you-desktop-or-laptop/

As above, the base spec Mac Mini is the best value desktop on the market, but as soon as you move from the base spec it rapidly becomes poor value. If you’re only just upgrading from an ‘ageing’ iMac, then 16Gb RAM will be plenty for whatever you are doing. Add external if you want more storage.

If you _are_ after a Dell 4k,  and spending on a nice one, they just announced the new Ultrasharps which amongst other things have 120hz, which is really nice (even just browsing etc) if you’re sensitive to that sort of thing. OTOH some people literally can’t seem to tell the difference 🙂

My son just bought the base m4 Mac mini with education discount so only £499. Absolute bargain. We’ve got it set up with a 27” 4k LG monitor and it’s a great replacement for a 27” retina iMac

I have the previous gen Mac mini and an MBP with the LG 5k. It’s a no brainer in terms of performance IMO. Will prob cycle out into the M4 and MBA combo later this year. Crazy to think how much I used to pay double a Dell with 1/10 of the performance 20 years ago. If you happen to be in Central London I have an old 27″4k Samsung monitor I don’t need anymore you can have for a £1 donation to your fave charity.

I picked up the base model M4 mini and finding it a great machine, I’ve stuck a Thunderbolt 4 NMVe enclosure on it with a 2TB stick in it and that’s returning the same speeds as the internal SSD.

Monitor wise I’m running it on a 4K 32inch BenQ monitor without issue but might switch to the ASUS 27inch ProArt Display 5K (PA27JCV) once it’s available in the UK.

I think 5k would be wasted on a 27″ screen…too small.

If you want a nice screen get an OLED screen with a minimum 120hz refresh rate… Faster than that is pointless unless your massively into gaming… And even then it’s a questionable upgrade for the cost..

Money better spent on OLED with a good implementation of HDR if you ask me.

@matt303uk

Thunderbolt 4 NMVe enclosure

Have you got a link to what you’re using? Looking online and theres a lot of choice!

I got one to replace an M1 Mac Mini. Very happy with it. Let’s just say, I didn’t get the base model. I did get 500 quid back selling the M1 though.

I have two LG 27in 4k displays hanging off it connected by USB-C DisplayPort cables. Plus a KM switch and other shenanigans so I can run it alongside my work MacBook Pro.

@jimdubleyou I’m using the OWC Express 1M2 with a 2TB Crucial P310 NMVe.

After much deliberation on screens I went for the stupidly expensive Studio Display.

I bought a Studio Display to replace a nice, calibrated 27” BENQ that freaked out on me. Studio Display is worth the cost.

Edit. OP any Apple Silicon Mac will be a significant upgrade from your current one. M4 should be sweet.

I bought a Studio Display to replace a nice, calibrated 27” BENQ that freaked out on me. Studio Display is worth the cost.

A couple of the 27″ Benq displays were on the consideration list. Part of the reason for going with the Studio was the quality of built in speakers and also a webcam. All makes the desk setup a lot cleaner and less cables involved.  10% discount for black Friday was the final push needed.  Its just a nice thing to spend time in front of.

As I dont need or want the portability of a laptop the decision to get the M4 Mini was easy.

I think 5k would be wasted on a 27″ screen…too small.

If you want a nice screen get an OLED screen with a minimum 120hz refresh rate… Faster than that is pointless unless your massively into gaming… And even then it’s a questionable upgrade for the cost..

They’re now on the 4th gen of OLED screens (just announced) and saying “this time they’re bright enough for desktop use and sharp enough text, honest”.

OLED is great for gaming and films, (currently) poor for desktop use (large areas of light background etc) or text sharpness – partly resolution, partly sub-pixel arrangement. Which is a real shame as the contrast is nice for HDR.

5k’s not wasted on 27″ as it’s pixel-doubled (“retina”) 1440p, so you get a nice pixel density for text. 4k @27 or 32 is a bit soft by comparison. It’s “fine” but it’s not good. Particularly on MacOS things are generally designed to work best at 1x, 2x or 3x – you end up in 1.5x or 1.25x (effective) when you’re in 4k@27/32.

Of course some people don’t notice, don’t care and would rather save the money, which is fair enough! Personally I yearn for 32@6k 120hz HDR to become a thing so there’s a meaningful upgrade from my 27″ screen.

(I’ve tried and compared everything above, I used 32@4k for work to get 144hz and good colour for critical computer vision work, and 5k at home, plus decent OLED for the living room)

I think 5k would be wasted on a 27″ screen…too small.

sounds like you’ve never actually tried it though. As above, it’s very noticeable. But, I’d say it ticks the “nice to have but not essential” box as I moved from a 5K iMac to 2x 27″ 4K screens with a Mac Studio, and I cope ok 🙂

having said that…

I’m still using the screen from my 2015 one as a monitor*

definitely interested in this though, as I have two 5k iMacs sitting around not doing much!! I did Google and find a link to parts, etc required, would be interested in the specific guide you followed successfully though!

 the specific guide you followed successfully though

Err I didn’t follow a specific guide so much as just use my own initiative/experience etc. Well, I used the ifixit teardown guide to get mine apart to gut it. A bit of googling for other people doing it/photos too, but mostly careful peering at a driver board from aliexpress.

I used the R1811 V.4 driver board, and I connect over DP1.4 (from a TB hub) rather than rely on the USB-C connection and power out the board, to reduce the load on it/heat (and IIRC some people reported issues, and it didn’t matter to me). I also added a small noctua fan to replace the noisyish one on it. And once I’d confirmed it working I replaced the power brick that came with the board with a higher quality one. Partly capacitor whine, and I vaguely recall talk of issues caused by poor quality PSUs.

This is the item I used: https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005002734914614.html 

Note there are a couple variants of the 5k panel, that’s what the “LM270QQ2” is about. Also the riskiest step (IMO) is getting the front glass unstuck (use one of the “pizza wheel” kits, made it easier) so I opened it first, checked my panel variant and also that I could gut it safely before ordering the board as it’s the biggest expense (if you already have the Mac). All in parts were <£300 (maybe under 250? Can’t remember what the better PSU cost me). I then sold some of the parts out the iMac and got most of the cost back.

I have pics somewhere of how I mounted the board in it if you think you’ll actually do it. Note cos of how mine’s wired etc the fan stays on when the display is “off”, so I flick it off at the wall when it’ll be unused a while. I occasionally think about changing that but CBA. I have the board inside the “monitor” case then short 6″ extension cables to provide DP/HDMI/power connections etc out the back via the ram door.

There’s a cheaper driver board that “works” too but I forget why I didn’t choose, it, some don’t come with the backlight driver but there was some other reason too. Might have been no DP1.4 so needed dual link? Or maybe it was something else (EDIT I remember, it drives the panel but only takes 4k input). I see some more boards about £100 now that are different, they might be newer designs – worth doing some research.

Obviously you need a machine that can drive a DP1.4 display, which isn’t many PCs, most recent Macs are ok though.

Oh, and I should say BE CAREFUL if you’re gutting an iMac there’s an exposed PSU in there, so beefy caps that will do you damage/death if you’re not careful and/or unlucky.

I have pics somewhere of how I mounted the board in it if you think you’ll actually do it.

thanks! I’ll have a look it all the bits required & assess feasibility then message you if I think I’m up for it 🙂 Would be good to make use of them though rather than just have them stood around or skip them!

The ifixit guide will give you pictures of most of the difficult stuff, or find a YouTube video of someone taking the screen off.

It wasn’t as bad as I feared it might be, but maybe I got lucky with the adhesive. Like you I thought it was too good to bin, not really worth a lot to sell. I think I got as much for the bits as I would’ve for it whole – the bits that didn’t sell went to the tip.