Mac mini M4 (2024) vs M2 (2022) vs M1 (2020): the complete comparison

The Mac mini has evolved a lot in recent years. Since the release of the Mac mini M1 in 2020, Apple has continued to improve its iconic small form factor. The M2 arrived in 2022 with more power and the Mac mini M4 made its debut 2 years later without going through the M3 box.

From M1 to M4, therefore, the machine has undergone some major changes. And precisely, if you were looking to graspwhat differentiates the 3 versions from each other, you are in the right place. In this comparison, we examine their technical sheet in order to make itextract all points of divergence.

• Discover all our other comparisons here

Housing and design

Dimensions

• Mac mini M1 :3.6 cm in height, 19.7 cm in width, 19.7 cm in depth
• Mac mini M2 :3.58 cm in height, 19.7 cm in width, 19.7 cm in depth
• Mac mini M4 :5 cm in height, 12.7 cm in width, 12.7 cm in depth

Weight

• Mac mini M1 :1,2 kg
• Mac mini M2 :1.18 kg (1.28 kg for the M2 Pro)
• Mac mini M4 :0.67 kg (0.73 kg for the M4 Pro)

The dimensions of the Mac mini are very similar between the M1 and M2 versions. The M4 marks a break with a more compact and lightweight design. Note, however, a slight increase in height.

Components and performance

Processor

• Mac mini M1 :Apple M1 chip (8 CPU cores and 8 GPU cores)
• Mac mini M2 :Apple M2 chip (8 CPU cores and 10 GPU cores) or M2 Pro (12 CPU cores and 19 GPU cores)
• Mac mini M4 :Apple M4 chip (10 CPU cores and 10 GPU cores) or M4 Pro (14 CPU cores and 20 GPU cores)

Apple continues to raise the bar with each new generation of chips. The Mac mini M1 remains a safe bet for common tasks. If you're looking for a little more power, the M2 offers a nice performance boost. The most recent of the three with the M4 chip, meanwhile, takes a new step with even more advanced capabilities. For more demanding users, the M2 Pro can cope with more demanding software. Better yet, the M4 Pro, which is aimed at users looking for high-end performance. All models are equipped with a 16-core Neural Engine.

Video

• Mac mini M1 :Unlike the M2 and M4, the M1 is limited to hardware acceleration for H.264 and HEVC. The other two models also have hardware acceleration for ProRes and ProRes RAW
• Mac mini M2 :has the ability to encode and decode ProRes
• Mac mini M4 :can also decode AV1 format

For standard use, the Mac mini M1 gets the job done in video playback. The M2 goes further and supports advanced formats like ProRes. The M4 mini is even more complete, with AV1 codec support for high-quality video and smoother streaming. Enough to make the difference for those looking for the ultimate in video capabilities.

Audio

• Mac mini M1 :3.5mm headphone jack
• Mac mini M2 and M4 :3.5mm headphone jack with advanced support for high-impedance headphones

Memory

• Mac mini M1 :2 options, 8 Go ou 16 Go
• Mac mini M2 :3 options, 8 Go, 16 Go ou 24 Go
• Mac mini M2 Pro :2 options, 16 Go ou 32 Go
• Mac mini M4 :3 options, 16 Go, 24 Go ou 32 Go
• Mac mini M4 Pro :3 options, 24 Go, 48 Go ou 64 Go

Storage

• Mac mini M1 :4 options, 256 Go, 512 Go, 1 To ou 2 To
• Mac mini M2 :4 options, 256 Go, 512 Go, 1 To ou 2 To
• Mac mini M2 Pro :5 options, 512 Go, 1 To, 2 To, 4 To ou 8 To
• Mac mini M4 :4 options, 256 Go, 512 Go, 1 To ou 2 To
• Mac mini M4 Pro :5 options, 512 Go, 1 To, 2 To, 4 To ou 8 To

The M1 remains limited to 16 GB of memory, but the M2 and especially the M4 open the door to wider options. If you need a lot of RAM, the M4 Pro is the dream configuration. Same observation on the storage side, where the Pro models allow up to 8 TB, a godsend for storing large files.

Screen and connections

• Mac mini M1 :dual screen support
• Mac mini M2 :dual screen support
• Mac mini M2 Pro :support for three displays
• Mac mini M4 (or M4 Pro) :support for three displays

The support for three displays on the Pro versions of the M2 and M4 can be a big plus if you work with multiple monitors. Otherwise, for a standard two-screen installation, the M1 and M2 cover the needs well.

Connections

Wired

• Mac mini M1 :2 Thunderbolt 4/USB 4 ports + 2 USB-A ports + 1 HDMI port with multi-channel audio output + Gigabit Ethernet
• Mac mini M2 :all the ports of the M1 with the addition of the 01 Gigabit Ethernet option for the Ethernet socket
• Mac mini M4 :no longer 2, but 3 Thunderbolt 4 ports (Thunderbolt 5 for M4 Pro). The two additional USB-A ports are also there, as is the Ethernet jack with 10 Gigabit option

If you need to connect multiple devices, newer models offer more choices with additional Thunderbolt ports and faster Ethernet options. The Mac mini M1, with its 2 Thunderbolt ports and 2 USB-A ports, will be more than sufficient for typical use.

Wireless

Wi-Fi

• Mac mini M1 :Wi-Fi 6
• Mac mini M2 and M4 :Wi‑Fi 6E

Bluetooth

• Mac mini M1 :Bluetooth 5.0
• Mac mini M2 and M4 :Bluetooth 5.3

Prix

With the arrival of the Mac mini M4 in fall 2024, Apple has ceased the sale of the M1 and M2 models, except refurbished. The Mac mini M1 starts at €449, the M2 starts at €489, and the M2 Pro starts at €1,299. The mini M4 comes in several options:

• €699 for 16 GB of memory and 256 GB of SSD storage
• 929 € pour 16 Go et 512 Go
• 1 159 € pour 24 Go et 512 Go

Depending on the configuration chosen, it is possible to add a 10 Gigabit Ethernet port for an additional €115, as well as pre-installed software such as Final Cut Pro (€349.99) and Logic Pro (€229.99). The Mac mini M4 Pro starts at €1,649 for 24GB of memory and 512GB of SSD, with a 12-core CPU and 16-core GPU. For a 14-core processor and a 20-core GPU, you will need to add €230. It is also possible to add the 10 Gigabit Ethernet port and software.

Which Mac mini to choose?

Choosing a Mac mini depends above all on your needs and your budget. The Mac mini M2 remains agreat option at an affordable price. You can easily find it reconditioned or second-hand.

It is sufficiently efficient for classic use, while being faster than the M1. The Mac mini M1 remains agood option for the most limited budgetsand if you manage to find one at a very good price second hand.

If you are looking for the most power, the Mac mini M4 is clearly an excellent choice while still displaying aunparalleled value for money. Finally, the Pro version of the Mac mini M4 is worth considering if you are aiming for peak performance for demanding tasks.

Don't waste time getting your hands on a used Mac mini M2 Pro, they are often sold for way too much now that the M4 Pro is available. We remind you, however, that the M1 and M2 (non-Pro) can still be good deals. But in any case, if you can push your budget a little up to €700 for the Mac mini M4,you will not regret your purchase!