Apple’s M4 Mac Mini Is Small, Mighty and Under $500

Simply because Prime Huge Deal Days is over, that does not imply you may’t get a fantastic low cost on prime tech. Some lingering deals stay, together with this Apple Mac Mini with the M4 chip. It is at present nonetheless on sale for $100 off, bringing the price down to $499. I thought of it a fantastic funding even at full worth, and this discount makes it a good higher worth.

I purchased the M4 Mac Mini after studying CNET laptop expert Joshua Goldman’s review of the tiny machine. I used to be on the lookout for a pc that will improve my productiveness and higher manage my workflow. Since then, I’ve discovered it to be the very best worth for the cash amongst Apple’s lineup. I’d even argue that it is a extra highly effective laptop than the $999 MacBook Air. The perfect half? The M4 Mac Mini simply received a $100 worth minimize, knocking the value down to $499. 

The M4 Mac Mini, Apple’s smallest laptop, is a straightforward suggestion for me because it’s one among CNET’s picks for the best desktop computers of 2025. It is also our go-to for the very best low-cost desktop various to a MacBook or iMac.

The M4 Mac Mini has been my finest tech funding this 12 months

I have been joyfully shocked by the M4 Mac Mini’s worth and the way great it has been for me to work from a desk. As a contract distant employee, I journey a minimum of 10 days each month, so I want a conveyable laptop. Based mostly on my way of life, I ought to be recommending the M4 MacBook Air. However it’s the remaining 20 days of the month that I have to work tougher than ordinary to place collectively new pitches, ship authorized tales, kind admin duties, conduct analysis and extra. All this requires immense group and productiveness, and the M4 Mac Mini has helped make my life simpler.

Do not miss any of our unbiased tech content material and lab-based opinions. Add CNET as a most well-liked Google supply.

This smallest of Apple’s computer systems would not compromise on energy. It includes a 10-core GPU, 16GB of unified reminiscence and a 256GB solid-state drive for storage. It’s extremely highly effective for a $599 machine and a discount at $499. You possible will not be capable of discover related reliability and energy on a Home windows machine for $500. I’ve tried and failed. And no, I am not forgetting that the Mac Mini would not include a show or a mouse and keyboard. 

I paired my M4 Mac Mini with a 27-inch LG UltraGear monitor (currently down to $240) and a Logitech mouse and keyboard combo. The UltraGear’s huge display is kind of helpful for analysis and multitasking, in addition to watching motion pictures. 

The M4 Mac Mini might be glorious for dwelling workplace and content material creation wants. As CNET’s Goldman wrote in his review, “The Mini can slot in your hand and be every little thing from an on a regular basis dwelling workplace laptop to a full-on skilled content-creation machine — and an simply transportable one at that — with assist for as much as three 6K-resolution shows.” 

My shopping for suggestion

The M4 Mac Mini was launched in November 2024, and it is typically accessible at a reduction. The small Apple laptop affords excellent worth for distant staff and content material creators. In the event you’ve been on the fence about getting a PC for dwelling, I would say choose up a M4 Mac Mini and see the distinction for your self.

Wish to try the competitors? We have rounded up the very best desktop computer deals from HP, Lenovo, Dell and, naturally, Apple. And if this desktop would not fit your style, you may try the best laptop deals. 

CNET editors have additionally rounded up the general best Amazon Prime Day deals that still remain for extra hangover offers, in addition to the best post-Prime Day deals on Apple products of all types.