The reviewer tore down the M4 Mac mini and examined its internal design, cooling system, storage, and power delivery. The reviewer described the model as the first Mac mini update in years that makes an upgrade worthwhile since Apple introduced Apple silicon. The device is smaller than the reviewer's palm.

External Design and Ports

• Front ports: The model adds ports on the front panel, including a headphone and microphone input. The reviewer noted that Apple had not previously placed ports there on the Mac mini.
• Rear ports: The back panel includes a headphone and microphone input, Thunderbolt ports, and HDMI. The power cable connects at the rear.
• Power button: The power button sits on the underside of the chassis. The reviewer could not reach it with one hand. The reviewer stated that desktop computers are rarely turned off, so the placement is acceptable, and the restart function covers most needs.
• Airflow: The base has a raised standoff from the surface, and the chassis uses a stacked design with ventilation grilles.

Disassembly

• The bottom cover has no screws. The reviewer removed it by prying with a clip. The reviewer reported a crack during panel removal.
• The reviewer stated that the teardown was easier than previous Apple teardowns and that a person without experience could complete it at home.
• Removing the remaining panels required loosening a large number of screws.

Cooling System

• A large fan sits in the chassis. Its housing separates the intake airflow from the exhaust airflow. The housing is angled to prevent the two streams from mixing.
• The fan is custom-shaped to improve airflow.
• Ventilation sections in the chassis serve as air inlets.
• A heat pipe runs in a spiral to a heat sink section above the chip.
• The heat sink is large. The reviewer stated that the M4 chip is likely to run silently and that the same cooling system can handle the M4 Pro.

Wireless and Audio Components

• The Wi-Fi and Bluetooth chip sits on a separate small board rather than the main logic board.
• The bottom section of the chassis also functions as an antenna.
• The internal speaker is small. It has a built-in enclosure designed to improve sound quality.

Power Supply

• The power supply is integrated into the chassis. No external power brick is used.
• Power reaches the logic board through a single cable connected to a small connector.
• The reviewer stated that the previous Mac mini used a 170 W power supply, which the reviewer described as excessive for Apple silicon. The reviewer's figure for the previous model was based on recollection.
• The reviewer stated that the lower power requirement of the M4 chip allows a smaller power supply.

Storage

• The reviewer reported that the storage is user replaceable. The NAND storage chips sit on a separate module connected to the logic board rather than soldered directly to it.
• The reviewer criticized Apple's previous base models for using a single soldered NAND configuration.
• The base configuration includes 256 GB of storage.
• The reviewer stated that a third-party company is developing replaceable storage modules for other Apple machines. The reviewer stated that this development would allow storage capacities above 2 TB at a lower cost. The reviewer did not provide details on the company or the modules.

Memory and Logic Board

• The base configuration includes 16 GB of unified memory. The memory sits on the logic board, and thermal paste covers it.
• The logic board is a dual-sided PCB with components on both sides.
• Retention clips and screws secure the heat sink to the logic board.
• A graphite sheet is installed inside the chassis.
• The reviewer reported shielding over the chips to reduce electromagnetic interference.
• The reviewer reported that the front panel includes an LED indicator, connected to the logic board by a short cable.

M4 Chip

• The M4 chip integrates the CPU, GPU, and unified memory in one package.
• The chip is small relative to the heat sink. The reviewer noted unused space on the heat sink's thermal plate, which the reviewer stated is intended for the larger M4 Pro chip.

Reviewer Assessment

The reviewer concluded that the M4 Mac mini offers strong performance for its price. The reviewer also stated that the base configuration's user-replaceable storage and the design of the cooling and power systems are significant improvements over previous models.