M4 Mac mini two weeks later: The invisible Mac that does all of it

I’ve had my M4 Mac mini for 2 weeks now, and it nonetheless appears sort of exceptional that this tiny little field can accomplish that a lot. My makes use of for the M4 mini are in all probability unconventional, however that’s additionally the great thing about the product: it serves a flexible set of wants, all at a really low value level (now $499). Listed below are my takeaways after a fortnight of use.

It suits in wherever you need it

As you’ll be able to see above, my Mac mini presently lives on my nightstand shelf, proper subsequent to my M4 iPad Professional. I name it the M4 shelf (no, not likely).

The Mac mini is so small, it will probably actually slot in wherever you want it:

on an enormous or tiny desk
underneath a desk
on a TV stand
in a bookshelf
or sure, in a nightstand

A nightstand may usually be a reasonably inconvenient location for a Mac mini. Partly for the monitor concern, which I’ll handle in a second, but additionally due to ports.

Luckily, Apple’s M4 redesign put two USB-C ports and a headphone jack on the entrance of the system. Connecting to these ports is a lot simpler than it will have been on prior fashions, offering extra flexibility in the place you’ll be able to place your laptop. It’s a small contact, however one I’m grateful for.

It may well disappear rather well

My M4 mini and iPad Professional sitting snugly facet by facet works particularly nicely as a result of the iPad is definitely my major monitor for the Mac mini.

I’ve by no means been a fan of being caught to a desk all day. I a lot favor to work from a wide range of spots round the home and usually get exterior the house too.

Consequently, the iPad Professional with its built-in mobile connection has lengthy been my productiveness system of selection. So it solely made sense to me that the iPad be my major Mac monitor.

I’ve a wired setup for connecting the 2 gadgets, and wi-fi choices as nicely—excellent for the flexibility of my working habits.

As a result of I entry my Mac mini via the iPad, the pc just about feels prefer it disappears. It sits on my nightstand, and I can connect with it from wherever I’m.

I nonetheless camp out in iPadOS more often than not, however once I want to make use of a Mac, macOS is there ready for me as simply one other iPad app.

It’s a full-powered, spectacular laptop

Regardless of relegating my Mac mini to slightly nightstand shelf, and accessing it via my iPad Professional, I don’t imply in any technique to diminish its capabilities.

This Mac is a full-powered beast of a pc. It has:

the most recent M4 chip
16GB RAM
upgraded Neural Engine for Apple Intelligence
{hardware}‑accelerated ray tracing for gaming
plus strong I/O with assist for driving three shows
and naturally, all of the capabilities of macOS

For slightly 5×5 field that may match wherever you need it and largely disappear, it’s a exceptional feat of engineering.

Coming subsequent: Mac Digital Show in visionOS 2.2

All of this solely scratches the floor of what the M4 Mac mini can do. However one characteristic I’m particularly excited for is the upgraded Mac Virtual Display support in visionOS 2.2.

For the reason that M4 Mac mini will get out of the best way so simply, it’s sort of the proper system to pair with a Imaginative and prescient Professional. You should use the 2 collectively now, however the enhancements coming to Mac Digital Show in visionOS 2.2 next month will make it even higher.

Whether or not you’re utilizing your Mac by way of an iPad, a Imaginative and prescient Professional, and even going the standard route of a desk and monitor, one factor is evident: the M4 Mac mini is a novel laptop that matches into Apple’s lineup like no different.

How are you utilizing your Mac mini? Tell us within the feedback.