Apple’s latest compact desktop has just reached an exceptional price. Available at Amazon, you can pick up the Mac Mini M4 for $499 for the 16GB RAM/256GB SSD base model right now ($100 off). It’s the cheapest way to dive into Apple’s latest silicon without breaking the bank.
A few higher-capacity models are also on sale: The 16GB/512GB build is $689, and the 24GB/512GB model is $904. There’s also a Mac Mini M4 Pro in single configuration ($1,304, 24GB RAM, 512GB storage), which is down $95. AppleCare+ is available but not included; the three-year plan usually costs around $99 for the Mac mini.
How to get the $100 Amazon discount
Then, on the product page, choose your desired configuration and read closely for an on-page coupon toggle or “discount applied at checkout” notation. If you don’t see the lower price right away, then add the Mac Mini to your cart and head to final checkout page—Amazon often applies some discounts later in the flow. Make sure it says “Ships from and sold by Amazon” to reduce third-party pricing uncertainty and make returns hassle free.
If you’re upgrading from an older Mac, you can also help defray the cost through trade-in credits at major retailers or Apple’s own trade-in program. Some of those purchasers also double-dip on savings through store-card cash or targeted promo credits, but the base 100-dollar discount is available to anyone who doesn’t mind being financing-trolled.
What’s the best value, then?
Regardless, the $499 16GB/256GB Mac Mini M4 is the one to consider for everyday computing and home-office or light creative work. It’s a genuinely meaningful step up over previous entry-level Mac Minis in that it starts at 16GB of unified memory instead of 8GB, which means you’ll have more headroom for multitasking and using modern apps without needing to add an upgrade tax immediately.
If you have a large media library (or want to install pro apps), the 16GB/512GB build at $689 is a pragmatic sweet spot — doubling up on SSD space will be useful for storing local projects and scratch space.
Power users with multiple complex timelines in video editors open or a bunch of virtual instruments loaded, or maybe you manage giant photo libraries as well will appreciate the cushion that this 24/GB 512GB configuration provides.
For more heft in terms of GPU and I/O, the M4 Pro version is at $1,304 quite compelling. Like previous generations of Mac mini, the Pro tier will generally offer added Thunderbolt ports and higher performance ceilings for tasks such as multi-stream 4K/8K editing or high-end 3D visualization. If you’re upgrading from an older Intel mini or from the M1 model and you push your machine hard, the Pro version may shave time off every day.
What the M4 upgrade will change
M4 architecture of Apple delivers significant improvements in CPU efficiency, GPU performance and on-device AI. Apple touts a Neural Engine that’s now much faster — up to 38 trillion operations per second— and facilitates the third wave of its on-device intelligence features, while speeding up processes such as image upscaling, transcription and background segmentation. In layperson’s terms, for example, it means faster exports in apps like Final Cut Pro and Logic Pro for creators; quicker app launches and more multitasking for productivity users.
Non-iMac M4 results collated by the Geekbench Browser suggest that single-core performance will skyrocket relative to any earlier generation of M-series chip, with large multi-core gains to boot. The new GPU architecture, taking advantage of Apple’s recent strides in hardware-accelerated ray tracing and dynamic memory engines, aids in timeline scrubbing, effects previews and regular UI interaction.
Practicality is still a big plus for the Mini: Its small footprint sits nicely on desktop, it remains whisper quiet through its low thermals, and its connectivity is rather desk-friendly. High-speed Thunderbolt, HDMI for external displays and wired Ethernet are all here as they’ve been in previous generations — handy for creators who depend on NAS setups or super-fast shared storage.
Price context and who’s it for
This deal is a large chunk cheaper than other M4-based Macs, like the iMac or MacBook Pro with related silicon, which usually kicks off at over the thousand dollar mark. If you already have a keyboard, mouse and monitor lying around, the Mini is the best way to utilize your current gear and make your dollar go further than any other portable Mac at this price.
Students, remote workers and content creators who don’t require a built-in display or battery are unlikely to be able to resist the $499 offering. For heavier workloads — 4K video files, complex audio projects or software development that relies on a large number of containers — the 512GB SSD (and really, in an ideal world, 24GB of memory) are safer long-term bets.
Bottom line
The M4-powered Mac Mini at $499 is unquestionably the best value of Apple’s fresh desktop silicon. Verify the discount at checkout, select the storage and memory that suits your workflow, and think about AppleCare+ if you would like to get three years of coverage. Inventory and pricing are subject to change, but if you like the configuration below, this is a good time to order because it can take weeks or even months for the deals to return.
