Apple’s M4 Mac mini has emerged as a remarkably successful product. According to our homepage poll, it stands out as readers’ top choice for the year—by an impressive margin. What makes it so popular? It serves as the clearest indication that Apple has learned from its previous errors.
Apple’s Recent Missteps Are Still Fresh in Memory
The Mac is currently experiencing an exhilarating new chapter, marked by the introduction of Apple silicon. Regular updates feature new chips, impressive battery life, and outstanding performance, with thrilling innovations like cellular connectivity potentially on the way.
However, not too long ago, Mac users faced a drastically different reality.
Leading up to the launch of Apple silicon in 2020, the Mac suffered from a range of significant issues:
- New model releases were frequently postponed due to problems with Intel.
- Ports were constantly being removed, along with cherished features such as MagSafe.
- Apple’s dedication to professional Mac users was increasingly questionable.
- And, of course, the most glaring issue: the butterfly keyboard.
For years, recommending a Mac laptop was challenging due to the flawed keyboard design that lasted far too long. Similarly, suggesting Mac desktops was difficult because they often felt outdated and behind the curve.
While some challenges were beyond Apple’s control, I believe the most significant issues stemmed from the company itself.
Forcing users to switch to USB-C and relying on a multitude of dongles was clearly a misstep. The butterfly keyboard was another mistake, along with Apple’s indecision regarding high-end models like the Mac Pro.
Many of these choices aimed to create thinner, lighter, and more compact devices.
Unfortunately, the compromises were excessive.
Two M4 Devices Reflecting Apple’s Transformation
This year, Apple has demonstrated its capability to learn from past errors.
Take, for instance, the M4 iPad Pro.
It is incredibly thin and light, without compromising performance or battery life.
The iPad Pro maintains the same awesome battery life as its predecessors, and it was the first device to feature Apple’s state-of-the-art M4 chip.
As commendable as the iPad Pro is, I believe the new Mac mini serves as an even better illustration of Apple’s evolution.
The M4 Mac mini has undergone a significant redesign, reducing the device’s size substantially.
A decade ago, such a reduction would have been concerning for Mac enthusiasts.
However, Apple successfully downsized the Mac mini without compromising on features that power users rely on.
The base model Mac mini features:
- Front-facing ports: two USB-C ports and a headphone jack.
- Three Thunderbolt ports, HDMI, and Gigabit Ethernet on the back.
While the placement of the power button might seem unusual, it’s a minor issue.
Aside from ample ports, the Mac mini includes 16GB of RAM as standard and is available with either the M4 or M4 Pro chip, starting at a remarkable price of just $599.
This combination of Apple’s latest silicon advantages alongside an impressive I/O configuration, all in a compact new design, is incredibly appealing.
The M4 Mac mini exemplifies that in the current era of Apple silicon, a slim and lightweight design can coexist with top performance. Meanwhile, the iPad Pro demonstrates that longevity of battery life is not a trade-off.
Ultimately, Apple’s 2024 offerings indicate that it has taken significant lessons from its prior blunders.
Do you believe Apple has truly learned from its previous missteps? Share your thoughts in the comments!
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