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Custom M4 mini arriving two weeks early! My maxed out mini was slated for After November 27th… but is now arriving on the 14th per Apple text alert. I’m delighted.
Update: it actually arrived yesterday. 3 days after launch.
 
Has anyone figured out yet if there’s any real world benefits to upgrading the chip on the M4 pro Mini?

Is it just for bragging rights or does it actually deliver any noticeable performance gains?
Well, the performance gains are 'real' with the pro chip as demonstrated in many speed tests (I also assume these extend to the real world applications). Another advantage is the more capable cooling design with the Mac mini M4 Pro. I think I read that this consists of a copper or a bigger copper plate that can absorb more heat from the M4 Pro ... according to tear down inspection. Don't know exactly how this works ... but don't expect the mini to remain silent. (My base model is silent but I haven't done anything to push it. I would expect it to emit noise if pushed at all.) Maybe I am incorrect on this ... we must await to 'hear' things from other people.
 
Well, the performance gains are 'real' with the pro chip as demonstrated in many speed tests (I also assume these extend to the real world applications). Another advantage is the more capable cooling design with the Mac mini M4 Pro. I think I read that this consists of a copper or a bigger copper plate that can absorb more heat from the M4 Pro ... according to tear down inspection. Don't know exactly how this works ... but don't expect the mini to remain silent. (My base model is silent but I haven't done anything to push it. I would expect it to emit noise if pushed at all.) Maybe I am incorrect on this ... we must await to 'hear' things from other people.
My question was between base M4 Pro and upgraded M4 Pro with a few more cores.

It seem to be just like it was with the M2 Pro Mini. If you want/need higher specs than the base pro model then just buy a Studio instead of upgrading the Mini.
 
My question was between base M4 Pro and upgraded M4 Pro with a few more cores.

It seem to be just like it was with the M2 Pro Mini. If you want/need higher specs than the base pro model then just buy a Studio instead of upgrading the Mini.
Got it ... sorry, completely missed the point! Ha. Another senior moment. Having a few of those lately!
 
Ordered an M4 Pro on Saturday with a delivery estimate of Nov 25-27. This morning I have a shipment email indicating that it will arrive this Friday, the 15th. 10 to 12 days earlier than initially expected.
 
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Has anyone figured out yet if there’s any real world benefits to upgrading the chip on the M4 pro Mini?

Is it just for bragging rights or does it actually deliver any noticeable performance gains?
ArtIsRight has posted a video about this; the testing was on MacBooks and in his previous video looking at the standard and Pro minis, flagged this next one as covering chip variants.

Cutting to the chase, Art found that that there can be advantages with the chip variant but it’s very task dependent (one particularly impressive one was a Lightroom test where it was about twice the speed but was a bit of an outlier) you’re not going to see it and it’s a not straight yes or no whether you should spring for it. If someone is doing video, Art did moot that it arguably could be better looking at Max or Ultra machine (not just the 4 instead).

Something that I would add Art’s opinion has shifted a little and he’s has gone from that it’s not worth upgrading the chip in the same family as the gains are so marginal, but with the Pro 4, it could be. In his video about the mini although Art said that he wasn’t considering the upgraded chip in that video (and to watch the MacBook one for this), he made some comment that he was surprised by what he had found so far compared to the past.

 
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My M4 Mini with 24GB Ram & 1TB SSD is arriving early too!

Ordered on the 9th, with expected delivery of Nov 25-27.
Screenshot 2024-11-13 at 11.25.38 AM.png


Received shipping notification this morning. Shipped from Shenzhen and already in Hong Kong!


Screenshot 2024-11-13 at 11.30.08 AM.png
 
I ordered a base model M4 with education discount, first new Mac purchase since 2019. Excited to play with Apple Intelligence since I haven’t been able to yet.
 
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I ordered the base Mac mini with 512GB SSD and 24GM memory on Tuesday 12 November and UPS is scheduled to deliver it tomorrow. I would have received it today but UPS cut back their deliveries to Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays in my area.

This is replacing a 2018 Mac mini with a 512GB SSD and 64GM of memory. I figured it was time to upgrade after 6 years. I'll probably replace my 1st gen iPad Pro 11 after the first of the year. Yes I hold onto and use my Apple products for as long as I can.
 
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I just got done setting up my new M4 and it was pretty easy and quick. I setup using Time Machine from my 2018 mini. I'm liking the M4 mini and the location of the power button doesn't bother me.
 
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My order is now out for delivery. Just like Scotty in Star Trek, under promise and over deliver!
New Mac mini is up and running tonight. Very nice and runs smoothly.

Of all the Mac's I've ever owned, I think this is the first time I've ever done dual monitors with one. I've used dual's with Windows at work, and with my Linux boxes at home. I guess I just used an iMac and never added a second monitor to it.
 
I got the opposite...promised an overnight delivery and instead have to spend the weekend without my new toy.

Would've likely ordered for pickup instead if they'd been honest about the shipping date.
Sorry to hear that. But soon enough you'll able to enjoy the new Mac!

Absence makes the heart grow fonder.
 
Sorry to hear that. But soon enough you'll able to enjoy the new Mac!

Absence makes the heart grow fonder.
Yeah, although I had a genuine time-sensitive reason to want it this weekend (a bunch of assignments due in my classes). Not the end of the world since I have other options but still annoying.
 
I finally got around to setting up my M4 Pro Mini, was very pleased to see that the USB-A Keyboard and Trackpad were recognized on start-up while using my Thunderbolt display as a USB-A hub. My one attempt at gauging a speedup was opening a USGS Geo-tif and seeing the image sharpening up in noticeably less time than with the M1.

Next project is removing the vast amounts of clutter on my desk to provide room for an Studio display to go with the ThunderBolt display.
 
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