Currently unavailable on Amazon USA
Data from Amazon and official Apple site.
2026 verdict
For video editing and development, the Apple Mac Mini (M4 Pro 24GB + 512GB) is the Mac Mini to buy over the older Apple Mac Mini (M2 Pro 16GB + 512GB).
It moves up to 24GB of LPDDR5X unified memory at 8533 MT/s from 16GB of LPDDR5, runs a 12-core M4 Pro instead of the 10-core M2 Pro with the same 16-core GPU count, and swaps four Thunderbolt 4 ports for three Thunderbolt 5 in a much smaller 127 mm body that weighs 730g instead of 1280g. The Apple Mac Mini (M2 Pro 16GB + 512GB) is the more affordable of the two and keeps two things the M4 Pro dropped: two USB-A ports and a fourth Thunderbolt port. Both have 512GB of soldered storage, Gigabit Ethernet, Wi-Fi 6E, a built-in speaker and an internal power supply. Pick the M4 Pro for speed and a small footprint, and the M2 Pro when USB-A ports or a lower price matter more.
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Winner
Currently unavailable on Amazon USA
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| Feature | Apple Mac Mini (M2 Pro 16GB + 512GB) | Apple Mac Mini (M4 Pro 24GB + 512GB) | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rating | 4.7 | 4.8 | Apple Mac Mini (M4 Pro 24GB + 512GB) |
| Memory Type | LPDDR5 | LPDDR5X | Apple Mac Mini (M4 Pro 24GB + 512GB) |
| Memory Capacity | 16 GB | 24 GB | Apple Mac Mini (M4 Pro 24GB + 512GB) |
| CPU Model | M2 Pro (10-core CPU) | M4 Pro (12-core) | Different strengths |
| Warranty | 1 year | 1 year | Tie |
| Memory Configuration | Unified Memory | Unified Memory | Tie |
| GPU Model | 16-core GPU | 16-core GPU | Tie |
| NPU Model | 16-core Neural Engine | 16-core Neural Engine | Tie |
| Storage Capacity | 512 GB | 512 GB | Tie |
What the differences mean
Chip and memory
A 12-core M4 Pro with 24GB of LPDDR5X against a 10-core M2 Pro with 16GB of LPDDR5, both with a 16-core GPU. The extra 8GB matters most on large video timelines and code builds.
Thunderbolt and USB
Three Thunderbolt 5 ports plus two front USB-C on the M4 Pro, against four Thunderbolt 4 ports plus two USB-A on the M2 Pro. USB-A peripherals plug straight into the older model and need adapters on the newer one.
Size and weight
127 x 127 x 50 mm and 730g for the M4 Pro against 197 x 197 x 36 mm and 1280g for the M2 Pro. The new one takes a much smaller patch of desk, though it is a little taller.
Front access
Every port on the M2 Pro is on the back. The M4 Pro puts two USB-C ports and the headphone jack on the front, which is handier for drives and headphones.
Which one to buy if
- you edit video or compile large projects
The M4 Pro's 12 CPU cores and 24GB of faster unified memory give it the headroom.
- you still use USB-A drives and accessories
The M2 Pro keeps two USB-A ports; the M4 Pro has none.
- desk space is tight
At 127 mm square and 730g, the M4 Pro takes far less room than the 197 mm M2 Pro.
- you need four Thunderbolt ports for docks and drives
The M2 Pro has four Thunderbolt 4 ports against three Thunderbolt 5 on the M4 Pro.
Currently unavailable on Amazon USA
- - Rating: 4.7 vs 4.8
- - Memory Type: LPDDR5 vs LPDDR5X
Winner
Currently unavailable on Amazon USA
- + Rating: 4.8
- + Memory Type: LPDDR5X
- + Memory Capacity: 24 GB
What owners say
Owners of the Apple Mac Mini (M4 Pro 24GB + 512GB) are united on speed and silence: effortless in everyday and creative work, and quiet even when a job runs for a long time. They also like the small footprint, the front USB-C ports and headphone jack, and the three Thunderbolt 5 ports that drive large or multiple displays without an adapter chain. Their doubts are about the configuration being final: soldered LPDDR5X memory and a 512GB SSD that cannot be replaced, which has several of them relying on external Thunderbolt storage. Some also miss USB-A for older peripherals and point out that the price buys no screen, keyboard or mouse.
Upgrading from the Apple Mac Mini (M2 Pro 16GB + 512GB)?
Moving from the Apple Mac Mini (M2 Pro 16GB + 512GB) to the Apple Mac Mini (M4 Pro 24GB + 512GB) buys a newer 12-core chip, 8GB more unified memory of a faster type, Thunderbolt 5 and front-panel USB-C and headphone ports, in a box of about half the weight. It does not add storage: both ship with 512GB soldered. If your M2 Pro keeps up with your projects and you rely on its USB-A ports and fourth Thunderbolt port, there is little reason to switch. If large timelines or models are running out of memory, the M4 Pro is the step up.
Frequently Asked Questions
Mac Mini M2 Pro vs M4 Pro: which is better, the Apple Mac Mini (M2 Pro 16GB + 512GB) or the Apple Mac Mini (M4 Pro 24GB + 512GB)?
The Apple Mac Mini (M4 Pro 24GB + 512GB). It has a 12-core M4 Pro, 24GB of LPDDR5X and Thunderbolt 5 in a much smaller body. The Apple Mac Mini (M2 Pro 16GB + 512GB) is the more affordable pick and keeps USB-A ports and a fourth Thunderbolt port.
What is the difference between the Apple Mac Mini (M2 Pro 16GB + 512GB) and the Apple Mac Mini (M4 Pro 24GB + 512GB)?
The M4 Pro model has a newer 12-core chip against 10 cores, 24GB of memory against 16GB, three Thunderbolt 5 ports against four Thunderbolt 4, front USB-C ports and a 127 mm body against 197 mm. Both have 512GB of storage and a 16-core GPU.
Does the Apple Mac Mini (M4 Pro 24GB + 512GB) have USB-A ports?
No. The Apple Mac Mini (M4 Pro 24GB + 512GB) has three Thunderbolt 5 ports, two front USB-C ports and HDMI. The Apple Mac Mini (M2 Pro 16GB + 512GB) has two USB-A ports next to its four Thunderbolt 4 ports.
Is it worth upgrading from the Apple Mac Mini (M2 Pro 16GB + 512GB) to the Apple Mac Mini (M4 Pro 24GB + 512GB)?
Only if you are short on memory or speed. The upgrade brings 8GB more unified memory, a newer 12-core chip and Thunderbolt 5, but the same 512GB of storage and fewer ports of the older kinds.
Who should buy the Apple Mac Mini (M2 Pro 16GB + 512GB)?
Mac users on a tighter budget who want four Thunderbolt 4 ports, USB-A and a headphone jack designed for high-impedance headphones.
Who should buy the Apple Mac Mini (M4 Pro 24GB + 512GB)?
Editors, developers and local AI users who want the fastest, smallest Mac Mini here and can plan around a fixed 24GB and 512GB.
Full comparison table
Compare all 105 Mini PCs side by side
You are looking at two of them. The full table lines up all Mini PCs in the catalog with the same specs, so you can filter by what you need and sort by price or rating.
- 105 Mini PCs
- 41 specs compared
- 38 filters
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$2499.00
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8% OFF$2499.00$2299.00
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$979.99
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$1919.00- Apple
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Unavailable 
MINISFORUMMS-S1 Max (128GB + 2TB)
$3879.00
MINISFORUMMS-S1 Max (64GB + 2TB)
$2599.00
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Unavailable 
AppleMac Mini (M4 16GB + 512GB)
$995.00
GMKtecK17 Plus (32GB + 1TB)
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$1299.99$1099.99
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$339.00
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$279.00
MINISFORUMM1-1390 (32GB + 1TB)
$767.00
MINISFORUMM1 Pro-125H (32GB + 1TB)
$895.00
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Mac Studio (M5 Max 36GB + 512GB)
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