Anyone return the base M4 for M4 Pro?

[Sowelu]

I went with the M4 (non-Pro) with 32GB + 1TB as I do not do any kind of video/photo editing or heavy duty exporting or other GPU intensive work. The jury still seems to be out on whether the non-Pro M4 runs a bit cooler or not (with less fan activity) since 'content creators' tend to go overboard for those clicks, views and most important, comments, and just throw everything at the wall with a stupid and misleading thumbnail to match in order to gin-up engagement for those algorithm lords, but for my use-case, the non-Pro is perfect.

In my experience, I think more RAM is more beneficial as well as at least 1TB of storage than the CPU/GPU. You can never have too much RAM and 16GB should be rock bottom these days. I see significant swapping with my MacBook Air that has 16GB, but this isn't necessarily a bad thing, I just prefer to have and slightly exceed the amount of RAM the system is calling for based on my personal and professional workflows. Apple's $200 ladder upgrades aren't that expensive when you look at how long these Macs will serve you.

I am also seeing a lot of reviewers saying that the Pro models have 'much faster SSD speeds' than the non-Pro, but I think this is a bit deceiving. Is it that Apple is using inherently faster SSD chips in the Pro models, or is the faster speed simply due to the higher capacities and or using dual chips in the Pro models? In other words, if a Pro and a non-Pro model both had 1TB SSD configured with two 512GB chips, would the 1TB SSD be faster in the Pro model? If not, this means the speed is tied to the capacity and the number of chips used which has always been the case, making this comparison a bit misleading outside of the base models. Of course one 256GB chip is going to be slower than two. Having said that, 512GB should be the rock bottom for storage in this day and age, but Apple will get there soon, I hope.

 

[MrGimper]

I went with the M4 (non-Pro) with 32GB + 1TB as I do not do any kind of video/photo editing or heavy duty exporting or other GPU intensive work. The jury still seems to be out on whether the non-Pro M4 runs a bit cooler or not (with less fan activity) since 'content creators' tend to go overboard for those clicks, views and most important, comments, and just throw everything at the wall with a stupid and misleading thumbnail to match in order to gin-up engagement for those algorithm lords, but for my use-case, the non-Pro is perfect.

In my experience, I think more RAM is more beneficial as well as at least 1TB of storage than the CPU/GPU. You can never have too much RAM and 16GB should be rock bottom these days. I see significant swapping with my MacBook Air that has 16GB, but this isn't necessarily a bad thing, I just prefer to have and slightly exceed the amount of RAM the system is calling for based on my personal and professional workflows. Apple's $200 ladder upgrades aren't that expensive when you look at how long these Macs will serve you.

I am also seeing a lot of reviewers saying that the Pro models have 'much faster SSD speeds' than the non-Pro, but I think this is a bit deceiving. Is it that Apple is using inherently faster SSD chips in the Pro models, or is the faster speed simply due to the higher capacities and or using dual chips in the Pro models? In other words, if a Pro and a non-Pro model both had 1TB SSD configured with two 512GB chips, would the 1TB SSD be faster in the Pro model? If not, this means the speed is tied to the capacity and the number of chips used which has always been the case, making this comparison a bit misleading outside of the base models. Of course one 256GB chip is going to be slower than two. Having said that, 512GB should be the rock bottom for storage in this day and age, but Apple will get there soon, I hope.

Pretty much my view for going base M4 with 32GB and 1TB

I believe the Pro storage is faster because they use at least 4x NANDs for every storage level, whereas the non-pro only uses 2x NANDs for every storage option.

 

[Julien]

I’m planning to trade in my 24GB/1TB M4 for a base M4 Pro tomorrow. I don’t really need the enhanced performance, but I’m thinking that for $200 more, it might add a year or so of extended performance and life to the M4 Pro compared to the M4. I needed the extra SSD space, and that’s where the Apple tax is a real killer, pushing the M4 to near M4 Pro levels. I’ve found a way to move the Home Folder to an external SSD and have a spare 1TB Thunderbolt 3 SSD to use.

I’m still a bit concerned about migrating my Time Machine backup, but it seems like it should work. If anyone has experience with this, I’ve also started a thread here asking for advice.

https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/setting-up-new-with-external-home-folder-then-restore-from-tm.2444143/

 

[Populus]

I’m wondering something about the M4 vs the binned M4 Pro chip.

Yes, the binned M4 Pro has double the performance cores, 8 vs 4 than the regular M4. And it is undeniable that the raw power will be there for the most demanding software.

However, I’ve been monitoring the e-cores and p-cores on my binned M4 Pro , and it seems like for most of the operating system background operations, such as dynamic wallpaper management, updates, window management, file downloads/transfers, etc. it only uses the efficiency cores.

Given that the regular M4 has 6 e-cores instead of the 4 e-cores on the M4 Pro, could there be a possibility where the M4 would run quicker and more efficiently the whole operating system compared to the M4 Pro which only has 4 of this cores?

 

[waloshin]

I’m wondering something about the M4 vs the binned M4 Pro chip.

Yes, the binned M4 Pro has double the performance cores, 8 vs 4 than the regular M4. And it is undeniable that the raw power will be there for the most demanding software.

However, I’ve been monitoring the e-cores and p-cores on my binned M4 Pro , and it seems like for most of the operating system background operations, such as dynamic wallpaper management, updates, window management, file downloads/transfers, etc. it only uses the efficiency cores.

Given that the regular M4 has 6 e-cores instead of the 4 e-cores on the M4 Pro, could there be a possibility where the M4 would run quicker and more efficiently the whole operating system compared to the M4 Pro which only has 4 of this cores?

Yes but you would t notice on your power bill.

 

[Fomalhaut]

I got the base M4 and tested it - all was fine
Then I got the M4 Pro and tested it - didn't like the noise under load so I'm returning it and I have base M4 with 24gb RAM on the way.

Were you applying the *same load* in both test cases though? Presumably the M4 Pro would either finish the same job faster (so you have the fan noise for less time), or could be run in the low-power mode to reduce fan noise at the cost of longer processing times. I would expect a "low power mode" M4 Pro to still be a lot faster for processor intensive tasks than the base M4 though.

Your experience is interesting and I'd like to hear more about it. Most reports are that the M4 Pro stays very quiet nearly all of the time.

Are you running very long and intensive tasks frequently that results in long periods (e.g. more than 5-15 minutes) of loud fan noise?

 

[Fomalhaut]

Yours is a tough choice; computing today is largely about the RAM. Personally on the Pro chip version I would find the +US$400 for 48 GB RAM or the +US$600 for 64 GB RAM worthwhile. But once you get into that price range waiting to see the M4 Studio becomes enticing.

This was my calculation too. In the end I decided on the M4 Pro with 48GB and a 10Gb Ethernet because I'm going to be connected to a NAS 99% of the time.

I know from my previous experience that 32GB RAM is marginal for my use (typically running a few GB of swap), so the 24GB base spec was going to be too limiting. I had hoped for a $200 upgrade to 36GB on the M4 Pro, but Apple didn't offer this.

Similarly, I expect the M4 Max Studio is likely to start at 36GB for the binned SoC, and may follow the M4 Max MBP and not have *any* RAM upgrade option, forcing the buyer to go for the unbinned 48GB model for an extra $500.

Even though 36GB would probably have been enough for me on an M4 Pro, it feels a bit "under gunned" on an M4 Max Studio, and the temptation would be to upgrade to the next level (probably involving the aforementioned SoC upgrade whether I want it or not).

In the end I just specced the machine to my best estimate of my current and likely future requirements for the next couple of years and resisted the urge to "wait and see if something best is just around the corner"...which would entail spending more money that I really need to.

 

[Fomalhaut]

Yeah, I purchased the 512GB/24GB M4 Pro mini, and after a couple of weeks I have only 40GB free. I’m definitely getting 1TB of storage, but probably not on the M4 Pro as it rises the price to almost 1900€, which is a lot for me honestly. So I’ll probably settle with the 1TB/32GB M4 mini…

External SSDs not an option for you?

 

[Populus]

External SSDs not an option for you?

No, I plan to use this Mac mini on different places, and now that my wish of having a smaller and lighter Mac mini to put into my suitcase is finally granted, I don’t want to ruin it carrying heavy, high speed thunderbolt external drives. I just want to take the mini and put it in the suitcase. I am even thinking of leaving a secondary keyboard on the other places where I use the Mac, so I really want the minimal bulk.

I have a couple of Samsung external T7 SSDs but I doubt they offer the same speeds as the internal drive, and I want my system to work as snappy as possible with those 3.000 Mbps speeds.

Also, each time I connect and gonna boot the Mac I must remember to have the thunderbolt SSD plugged in, and believe me, more than once I’d forget about it.

If this is going to be my Mac for the next 8 years, I really want the convenience of having all my things (apps, documents, files…) in there. And maybe nowadays it is enough with 512GB but I’m not so sure if in 5 years it will.

So that’s it, I’m set on the idea that 1TB is my personal minimum.

Regarding RAM, and 24GB plenty but, for how long? I multitask a lot and I hate when I see the memory pressure go into the yellow zone. So, if going from 24GB to 32GB buys me peace of mind, so be it. Although it’s 230€ extra…

 

[Populus]

Yes but you would t notice on your power bill.

Yeah but what I wanted to convey is that, regardless of the lower consumption, if the operating system only uses e-cores for mainstream routines, maybe having 6 on the M4 instead of just 4 on the M4 Pro offers the machine a more snappy and responsive behaviour in the long run, if the properly parallelise all the macOS processes among the 6 cores on future versions.

But, nevermind, I think it is a coping mechanism to settle on the M4 instead of the more powerful M4 Pro.

 

[dazey]

I specifically went for the M4 over the Pro for its lower power consumption and heat. I expect to eventually put it in a custom enclosure and run it over USB-C power (as I did with my M2 mini), so for me it makes sense. As the M4 has the low power mode, I am hoping it will even run on PoE+ with the low power mode engaged (the M2 browns out on that).

 

[Gloor]

It was in a game (Dota 2).
If I wanted to have the Pro quiet during gaming I would have to cap the fps which defeats the purpose so I've returned it and got the non Pro version. Now its dead silent even in the same game. (Sure, I don't get the same fps as on the pro but the game is still very playable)

I saved a lot of money which I have put into AAPL and in few years time I'll use that towards an upgrade
It should accumulate nicely

Were you applying the *same load* in both test cases though? Presumably the M4 Pro would either finish the same job faster (so you have the fan noise for less time), or could be run in the low-power mode to reduce fan noise at the cost of longer processing times. I would expect a "low power mode" M4 Pro to still be a lot faster for processor intensive tasks than the base M4 though.

Your experience is interesting and I'd like to hear more about it. Most reports are that the M4 Pro stays very quiet nearly all of the time.

Are you running very long and intensive tasks frequently that results in long periods (e.g. more than 5-15 minutes) of loud fan noise?

 

[Soccerrick10]

I tried LR today, LR occupied a bit too much RAM, and the memory pressure suddenly changed color to yellow.

I saw LR kicking on fans and delays on the new M4 with 10/10 core, 16GB and 1TB SSD’s. I decided to return it for the Mac mini M4 Pro with 12/16 cores, 24GB and 512GB SSD’s.

Now, Lightroom just zips through everything. Some may say to swap out Lightroom. I’ve considered it. But haven’t found anything that makes the time invest beneficial.

 

[Julien]

Hope others are having better luck than me. Apple has 100% royally F'ed up my orders. So now I'm having to buy a M4 Pro have it shipped and then return my M4 for a refund (so I now am paying for 2 minis) because NO One at Apple can figure this mess out. And no way for the Apple Store to do it, despite me spending a wasted 2 hours there yesterday and Wiped my mini just to bring it home and Restore it. I can only hope my return/refund works out.

Friend: Hey how many Mac minis did you order?
Me: All of them.

 

[MrGimper]

Hope others are having better luck than me. Apple has 100% royally F'ed up my orders. So now I'm having to buy a M4 Pro have it shipped and then return my M4 for a refund (so I now am paying for 2 minis) because NO One at Apple can figure this mess out. And no way for the Apple Store to do it, despite me spending a wasted 2 hours there yesterday and Wiped my mini just to bring it home and Restore it. I can only hope my return/refund works out.

Friend: Hey how many Mac minis did you order?
Me: All of them.

View attachment 2458172

Haha, I did this with 16" M3 MBPs from the Apple Refurbished store. At one point I had 5 as I was trying different specs and they popped up randomly on the store and I grabbed them. The credit card took a bashing and slowly recovered when 4 refunds were processed 🤣🤣

 

[markiv810]

I didn’t, because I ordered the M4 Pro from the get-go. No particular reason; I just wanted an upgrade from my M1 mini.

How much of an upgrade is Mac mini M4 Pro from Mac mini m1 in terms of performance.

 

[waloshin]

How much of an upgrade is Mac mini M4 Pro from Mac mini m1 in terms of performance.

Huge you truly only need the M4 which is twice as fast as your M1.

 

[EdwardC]

How much of an upgrade is Mac mini M4 Pro from Mac mini m1 in terms of performance.

This is a pretty good video. Depends on what you are using for. I have a M1 as well as M2 Pro mini and honestly can't tell much difference in them. I use them in an office setting just doing basic email, Word, Excell, You Tube, 2D CAD kind of things.