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M4 and M4 Pro Mac minis are probably Apple's best Mac minis

arstechnica.com

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Re: M4 and M4 Pro Mac minis are probably Apple's best Mac minis

#21

Post by iamwpj »

ryzvonusef wrote: post #7

Someone at exolabs is running a cluster of these for AI: https://x.com/alexocheema/status/1855238474917441972

Huh, a capsule cluster of 4 M4 minis might cost around $12k and provide more CPU/GPU/ANE/RAM and storage than a maxed out Mac Pro, which would cost more anyway. They probably resell for more too. If you have a defined level of compute and you need a cluster today for performance a Apple Mini cluster might be the fastest and most cost effective way to do it. I should note, the performance and compatibility jump from going with a small server cluster and Nvidia is probably worth 20K too.

Re: M4 and M4 Pro Mac minis are probably Apple's best Mac minis

#22

Post by karmakaze »

I expected to be really excited about the M4/Pro Mac Minis. It makes the most sense to get the highest performance and longevity for a desktop unit without a display. After the announcement, I couldn't think of a use case for myself.

1. For everyday use, I'll use a MacBook Air/Pro model

2. For high-power uses (games or AI/ML), I wouldn't use macOS

3. For server uses, I'll run Linux.

I don't have a high-power use-case that depends on running native macOS 'Pro' software, the closest is running Ableton Live which isn't all that intensive compared to video editing, rendering, or similar uses.

Re: M4 and M4 Pro Mac minis are probably Apple's best Mac minis

#23

Post by tharmas »

kwanbix wrote: post #6

I really like it, but the upgrade prices are a major drawback. In the EU, the base Mini model with 256GB of SSD costs 700 EUR. Upgrading to a more practical 1TB adds an extra 460 EUR, bringing the total to 1,159 EUR. It’s frustrating that Apple’s upgrade prices are so steep. For context, a top-quality 1TB SSD can be bought here for just 85 EUR.

It's the same tactic NVIDIA now use. Every lower tier model is gimped to force you into a higher tier more expensive model.

Re: M4 and M4 Pro Mac minis are probably Apple's best Mac minis

#24

Post by pchangr »

Miniminix wrote: post #10
stevage wrote: post #3

It would be strange if the latest release of a computer line was not the best one ever in that line.

Two points It is strange that the "entry level" computer in 2024 competes and sometimes wins against the 2022 fully-decked out M2 and the original M1 Ultra. The M3 Pro had a DECREASE in number of P-cores compared to the M2 Pro. That was very strange and unexplainable.

I don’t know who was it .. but I heard some YouTuber suggesting it might have been a commercial decision to further distinguish between the pro and max / ultra versions of their chips. Which.. sucks but makes sense.

Re: M4 and M4 Pro Mac minis are probably Apple's best Mac minis

#25

Post by hiyer »

I've been debating between getting the base M4 Mini and assembling a desktop myself with the Ryzen 9600X. Price-wise, both are around the same. Points in favour of the former:

1. Smaller form factor

2. Don't have to bother assembling anything myself

Points in favour of the latter:

1. I can install my favourite flavour of Linux (and Windows too, though I hardly use it any more.)

2. Easy upgradability, especially of memory and storage - I don't foresee upgrading anything else for the next 4-5 years. 16GB/256GB seems to be something I'd quickly outgrow, and the next bump up in configuration is a huge bump up in price.

Re: M4 and M4 Pro Mac minis are probably Apple's best Mac minis

#26

Post by stephen_g »

Miniminix wrote: post #10
stevage wrote: post #3

It would be strange if the latest release of a computer line was not the best one ever in that line.

Two points It is strange that the "entry level" computer in 2024 competes and sometimes wins against the 2022 fully-decked out M2 and the original M1 Ultra. The M3 Pro had a DECREASE in number of P-cores compared to the M2 Pro. That was very strange and unexplainable.

Best explanation would seem to be a rebalancing to increase efficiency - the M3 Pro was basically the same performance as the M2 Pro but at much greater energy efficiency. Now the M4 Pro has increased the performance again (I assume at a similar power draw as the M3 Pro)
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