M4 Max Mac Studio vs M4 Pro Mac mini - You Can't Get Fooled!
Comparison of M4 Mac Mini and M4 Max Mac Studio
Introduction to the New Models
- The new M4 Mac Mini is praised for its value, being cheaper and faster than the M2 Max Mac Studio.
- The video aims to compare the newly announced M4 Max Mac Studio with the existing M4 Pro Mac Mini to determine which offers better value for users.
Design Considerations
- The design of both computers is discussed; while the Mac Studio is compact, the Mac Mini is notably smaller, making it versatile for various spaces.
- Both models fit well under an Apple Studio display, so size may not be a significant factor in decision-making.
Port Availability
- The Mac Mini features multiple ports: two USB-C on the front, a headphone jack, three Thunderbolt 5 USB-C ports, an HDMI port, and an Ethernet port.
- In contrast, the Mac Studio has additional ports including one more Thunderbolt 5 USB-C port, two USB-A ports, an SD card slot, and a faster 10 GB Ethernet port.
Display Support
- A key advantage of the M4 Max Mac Studio is its ability to support up to five external displays compared to three for the M4 Pro Mac Mini.
Performance Evaluation
- Users are primarily interested in performance differences rather than size or ports when deciding between these models.
- CPU performance comparison reveals that both base models offer similar single-core performance but differ in multi-core capabilities.
CPU Performance Insights
- Tasks benefiting from CPU performance include app opening speed and complex tasks like audio/video processing and software development.
- The base model of the Mac Mini has a 12-core CPU while the base model of the Mac Studio has a 14-core CPU; however, real-world multi-core performance shows only an 8% increase with the studio model.
Upgrade Options
- An optional $200 upgrade for the Mac Mini can match this 8% performance boost.
- The studio also offers upgrades leading to even higher performance but at significantly increased costs ($300 more for a 16-core CPU).
Cost vs. Performance Analysis
- From a cost perspective regarding CPU upgrades, investing in higher specs on the studio may not justify their price over minor gains in multi-core performance.
GPU Performance Discussion
- The major advantage of upgrading to an M4 Max chip lies in GPU cores; it features a base model with 30 GPU cores compared to just 16 on the base-level M4 Pro.
Performance Comparison: M4 Pro Mac Mini vs. M4 Max Mac Studio
Benchmark Performance Insights
- The M4 Pro Mac Mini, even with a $200 upgrade, does not match the base model Mac Studio's performance; it has a 10-core deficit and only achieves a 10% performance increase.
- The Mac Studio boasts a 35% performance advantage over the M4 Pro, which can be further enhanced to 54% with the full 40-core M4 Max chip upgrade.
GPU Considerations
- Upgrading to the Mac Studio is most beneficial for tasks requiring strong GPU performance, such as gaming, 3D rendering, animation, video effects, or AI development.
- Users seeking faster frame rates or higher resolution gaming will find significant benefits from the M4 Max chip.
Memory Configurations
- The M4 Pro Mac Mini starts at 24 GB of memory while the M4 Max Mac Studio begins at 32 GB; more memory is advantageous for multitasking and high-resolution applications.
- The Mac Mini offers flexible memory options (24 GB, 48 GB, and 64 GB), making it more budget-friendly compared to the fixed configurations of the Mac Studio.
Pricing and Upgrade Paths
- Choosing the base model of the Mac Mini allows users to upgrade to a maximum of 64 GB for less than upgrading from the base model of the Mac Studio.
- The absence of a $2,300 version of the Mac Studio forces users into higher-priced configurations if they want additional memory or processing power.
Storage Options
- Both models start with identical storage options (512 GB), expandable up to 8 TB; this makes storage comparison straightforward between both devices.
Recommendations Based on User Needs
- For budget-conscious users who do not require high GPU performance, the M4 Pro Mac Mini is recommended due to its balance of ports, power, memory options, and price.
- The M4 Max Mac Studio is ideal for professional users needing superior GPU capabilities but may not be necessary for those who don't utilize demanding applications.