M4 Pro Mac mini v. Future M4 Max Mac Studio

[waloshin]

Have you run anything locally on device?

Seriously, if you haven't:

download lmstudio from lmstudio.ai
download a couple of models
unplug internet connection/turn off WIFI

play with it. be stunned
e.g., fragment of a conversation with a 16 GB model run entirely on device - this was not polling the internet for this, it was entirely on-device and works without internet connection. it was a general model (i.e. not just trained on medical data), and I've discussed all this with the vet looking after my cat - its legit.

This is just a fragment of a longer conversation and the diagnostic process matches pretty much exactly what both the initial vet, and the specialist the cat is with this evening are following.

Again, this model is Google's gemini model aimed at answering questions about ANYTHING.

You can also import documents to the LLM for summary/analysis - e.g., get a big document, ask the LLM queries about it. It will cite the sections of the document in its responses. Great for condensing/summarising a heap of info you have no time to read or analyse in detail.


Yes, there's a lot of LLM hype, and no it's not "AI" per-se. But holy crap its powerful.

View attachment 2456321

Thanks will check that out later!

 

[ultratiem]

The M4 Mac mini looks like a true bargain but the M4 Pro Mac mini seems like it will compare poorly against the future M4 Mac Studio for those who want more memory and can wait a few months. Apple has been holding the line on prices and doubling memory on the base models. With this in mind:

* M4 Pro Mac mini 12/16 CPU/GPU with 10 Gbps Ethernet, 1 TB SSD, 24 GB Memory = $1,699

* M4 Pro Mac mini 12/16 CPU/GPU with 10 Gbps Ethernet, 1 TB SSD, 48 GB Memory = $2,099

* M4 Max Mac Studio (2025) with 10 Gbps Ethernet, 1 TB SSD, 32 (36? 48?) GB Memory ~ $2,199

Is anyone else running into this (likely) comparison because you want more than 24 GB of memory?

Good rule of thumb is to treat computers like cars. You’ll never make a Civic into a Diablo. Not even if you throw $300k into it. Trying to beef up a mini just burns your cash. You’re always better to hit the entry level offers of each product type. I think the Studio’s jump to the spec’ed up Max is the only worthwhile upgrade. Outside of that, tacking on upgrade just drive down each models value proposition.

 

[RolexChan]

The M4 Mac mini looks like a true bargain but the M4 Pro Mac mini seems like it will compare poorly against the future M4 Mac Studio for those who want more memory and can wait a few months. Apple has been holding the line on prices and doubling memory on the base models. With this in mind:

* M4 Pro Mac mini 12/16 CPU/GPU with 10 Gbps Ethernet, 1 TB SSD, 24 GB Memory = $1,699

* M4 Pro Mac mini 12/16 CPU/GPU with 10 Gbps Ethernet, 1 TB SSD, 48 GB Memory = $2,099

* M4 Max Mac Studio (2025) with 10 Gbps Ethernet, 1 TB SSD, 32 (36? 48?) GB Memory ~ $2,199

Is anyone else running into this (likely) comparison because you want more than 24 GB of memory?

The M4 Mac mini looks like a true bargain but the M4 Pro Mac mini seems like it will compare poorly against the future M4 Mac Studio for those who want more memory and can wait a few months. Apple has been holding the line on prices and doubling memory on the base models. With this in mind:

* M4 Pro Mac mini 12/16 CPU/GPU with 10 Gbps Ethernet, 1 TB SSD, 24 GB Memory = $1,699

* M4 Pro Mac mini 12/16 CPU/GPU with 10 Gbps Ethernet, 1 TB SSD, 48 GB Memory = $2,099

* M4 Max Mac Studio (2025) with 10 Gbps Ethernet, 1 TB SSD, 32 (36? 48?) GB Memory ~ $2,199

Is anyone else running into this (likely) comparison because you want more than 24 GB of memory?

When choosing memory, the key factor is whether you're considering it as "VRAM" in your decision-making. If you're like me, an AI professional planning to deploy AI projects on this machine, then the 64GB memory (which also acts as VRAM) is an absolute must. Similarly, opting for a 14-core CPU and a 20-core GPU is equally important. If you go with the 20-core GPU, you’ll need to pair it with the 14-core CPU, not the 12-core.

If you think Apple's memory is overpriced, just compare it to the cost of Nvidia's VRAM, and you’ll realize how reasonable Apple's memory (VRAM) actually is.

As for the SSD, I think there’s a good chance that third-party, replaceable SSD modules for the Mac mini M4 will hit the market in the near future. The 2024 Mac mini M4 is one of the hottest topics globally, and the entry-level model is expected to see a lot of buyers. However, its 256GB SSD is likely to be an upgrade target for many users. Considering that engineers in Shenzhen’s Huaqiangbei district are already working on circuit boards, molds, and product testing, it’s only a matter of time before replacement options become available.