Published 2024-11-08

This teardown examines the 2024 Mac mini with the M4 chip. The reviewer tested the base configuration, with 16 GB of memory and a 256 GB solid-state drive (SSD). The procedure documented the removal of the rear cover, the fan, the speaker, the SSD, the logic board, and the heat sink.

Product Overview

The computer measures approximately 5 by 5 inches, with a height of 2 inches. It ships in a compact box.

Configuration options:

Ports and Connectivity

Front:

• Two USB-C ports
• Power indicator
• 3.5 mm audio jack

Rear:

• Power port
• Ethernet port
• HDMI port
• Three Thunderbolt 4 ports (Thunderbolt 5 on the M4 Pro)
• Power button

Cooling: The fan draws air in through the front half of the grille and exhausts it through the rear half.

Disassembly Procedure

1. Remove the Rear Cover

1. Disconnect the power cable.
2. Insert a small screwdriver into the grille and lift the cover edge. The reviewer advised against using a pry bar. The silicone ring at the edge holds no screws, so the cover releases when lifted at the edge.
3. Remove the perimeter screws, which are T5 Torx.
4. Remove the four central screws securing the heat sink, which are T3 Torx.
5. Lift off the rear cover. Cables remain attached and require care during removal.

The metal grille functions as an antenna. The reviewer set it aside before continuing.

2. Remove the Fan

1. Remove the four T5 Torx screws at the base of the fan. The reviewer identified one T5 screw at the bottom, one further screw in a second location, one in a third location, and two additional T5 screws at the bottom of the fan.
2. Disconnect the fan cable. Black tape covers the connector. Flip the connector upward to release it. Pulling without this step can tear the fan from the logic board.

3. Remove the Speaker

1. Remove the T3 Torx screws holding the speaker.
2. Disconnect the wire at the rear.

4. Disconnect the Battery and Antenna Cable

1. Disconnect the cable that connects the button battery and the rear antennas. The cable locks in place with T3 Torx screws.

5. Remove the Large Standoffs and SSD

1. Remove the large standoff screws, which are T9 Torx.
2. Remove the SSD using a T9 Torx driver.
3. Remove the remaining large T9 screws: one at the bottom and two on top. The top screws are silver.

6. Remove the Heat Sink

1. Remove the two T5 Torx screws securing the heat sink.

7. Release the Logic Board

The logic board did not release after the previous steps. The reviewer took the following actions:

1. Remove the several T3 Torx screws on the front of the chassis.
2. Disconnect the front I/O connectors: the power indicator, the 3.5 mm audio jack, and the two front USB-C ports.
3. Remove the two screws on the left side.
4. Press the components toward the front to relieve pressure. The logic board then released.

8. Separate the Power Supply

The logic board is split, with the power supply on one side.

1. Disconnect the connector on the power supply side of the logic board.
2. Disconnect the power supply from the other side of the logic board.

Internal Components

Power supply: The reviewer noted that the power supply is nearly as large as the computer itself. The reviewer stated that an external power supply could allow a considerably smaller Mac mini. This statement is the reviewer's assessment and was not tested.

Logic board:

• The SSD sat in a dedicated location on the board.
• Chip covers protect the components. The top-right cover required slight force to remove. The two other chip covers are held by adhesive.
• An aluminum plate on the back of the logic board is held by adhesive.

Heat sink: Removing the heat sink requires several T5 Torx screws. Removing it exposes the M4 chip.

Reviewer Observations

The reviewer described the teardown as difficult. The device uses Torx screws ranging from T3 to T9 and several small components. The reviewer compared the process to disassembling an iPhone.