Apple Mac Mini M4
Apple Mac Mini M4
The Mac Mini M4 is Apple's most affordable entry into Apple Silicon for local AI. Starting at $529 with 16 GB unified memory, it offers impressive performance for running small to medium LLMs via Apple's MLX framework. The unified memory architecture means the CPU and GPU share the same pool - great for efficiency, but 16 GB is the base config and not upgradeable.
Quick verdict
The Mac Mini M4 is a great entry-level local AI machine for Apple ecosystem users. 16 GB unified memory runs 7-8B models at ~30-40 tok/s via MLX. The 120 GB/s bandwidth is more than sufficient for small models. Major limitation: RAM isn't upgradeable, so buy the config you need upfront.
Spec breakdown
- Memory: 16 GB unified (configurable to 24 GB)
- Memory bandwidth: 120 GB/s
- TDP: ~65 W (idle ~10 W)
- CPU: 10-core (4P+6E)
- GPU: 10-core
- Neural Engine: 16-core
- Price (16 GB): $529 ($599 with 512 GB SSD)
Real-world AI inference (MLX)
| Model | Tokens/sec | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Llama 3.1 8B Q4_K_M | ~38 tok/s | MLX community |
| Mistral 7B Q4_K_M | ~42 tok/s | MLX community |
| Mistral Small 3 Q4_K_M | ~12 tok/s | MLX (tight fit) |
| Qwen3-30B | Does not fit | 16 GB insufficient |
Where to buy
- Apple: Education pricing sometimes available
- Amazon: Button above
Honest alternatives
- Mac Mini M4 Pro (~$1,399): More memory, more GPU cores
- MacBook Air M4 (~$899): Portable, same performance
- Intel Arc B580 Mini ITX build (~$600): 12 GB dedicated VRAM
What the community says
"Mac Mini M4 is my daily AI driver. 16 GB is tight but runs 8B models at 38 tok/s on MLX. Silent, cool, and power efficient - leaving it on 24/7 for my Open WebUI server."
- u/mac-mini-ai on r/LocalLLaMA, 123 upvotes
Frequently asked
Quick answers to common questions
How much VRAM does the Apple Mac Mini M4 have?
The Apple Mac Mini M4 has 16 GB of VRAM with 120 GB/s memory bandwidth. MSRP was $599.
What local AI models can run on the Apple Mac Mini M4?
The Apple Mac Mini M4 with 16 GB VRAM can run many models depending on quantization. Models up to ~24B params may fit at Q4_K_M. Use our VRAM calculator to check specific models.
Is the Apple Mac Mini M4 good for local AI inference?
Apple Mac Mini M4 is best for llm-inference-entry, development, content-creation-budget. With ample VRAM it handles most open models well.
Where can I buy the Apple Mac Mini M4?
Check our buy links above for the best current prices on Amazon, Newegg, and B&H. Prices vary by retailer and availability.
How does the Apple Mac Mini M4 compare to other GPUs?
Apple Mac Mini M4 has 16 GB VRAM and 120 GB/s bandwidth. It is a mid-to-high-range card capable of running most 7B–30B models. Browse our hardware directory for side-by-side comparisons.
Is the Apple Mac Mini M4 worth buying right now?
The current price is $529 vs the MSRP of $599. The price has dropped below MSRP, making it a good time to buy.
What power supply do I need for the Apple Mac Mini M4?
The Apple Mac Mini M4 has a TDP of 65W. A standard quality PSU of 650W+ should suffice. Always check the manufacturer's recommendations for your specific build.
Nearby options
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