M4 Max Mac Studio vs M4 Pro Mac mini - You Can't Get Fooled!

The new M4 Max Mac Studio is an amazing value computer for anyone that needs a pro level desktop Mac, however it may not be the best value if you take a look at the M4 Mac mini...

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0:00 Intro
0:28 M4 Max is already out - No M3 Ultra comparison
1:04 Size differences
1:50 Port differences
2:34 External display support
2:58 Which is the better value?
3:14 What type of performance do you need?
3:26 CPU performance differences
5:34 Should you upgrade to M4 Max for CPU?
6:02 M4 Max GPU is a big difference
7:11 Is M4 Max worth it?
8:00 Memory differences
9:02 The Problem with upgrading the Mac Studio
10:17 Storage
10:34 M4 Mac mini vs Studio conclusion

[GregsGadgets]

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[DojoOfCool]

You're leaving out a very important difference that seems everyone ignores. The Max chips memory bandwidth is twice the speed of the other M-series chips. So anyone running applications that are accessing memory a lot like audio that I work in and I would guess video editing that double speed really kicks up performance. So anyone running applications that access memory a lot the Max chip increases performance drastically.

[grafikwork]

36GB is the new base memory on the base Mac Studio. Not 32GB

[MarkAlderson]

I for one am upgrading from the M1 Max Mac Studio to the M4 Max Mac Studio. My reason is simple, my M1 Mac Studio has worked flawlessly for 3 years, never once skipping a beat or making a signal sound. Did I need it? Probably not, but I am always looking forward and ready for the next thing coming at me. I’m almost 72, this will probably be my last system upgrade, but who knows!😂

[MatrixfanMacUser]

The Max chipset always has 2x media engines and a Mac Studio won’t thermal throttle. Key difference.

[ShaneAndShaneGolf]

Hi Greg... to go from 20 Core M4 to 40 Core M4 Max is NOT a 54% increase. It is a 74.1% increase. A 54% increase would be a score of 170, 256.
For the 32core over the 20 core, the increase is NOT a 35% increase. It is a 43.9% increase. A 35% incrase would be a score of 149, 250.

All said, for people doing Video editing/photography etc... They would be better off with the Mac Studio. The cooling is better, Better processor, GPU etc for not much more when you compare them as close as possible with similar configurations.
A Mac Mini with the Apple M4 Pro chip with 14‑core CPU, 20‑core GPU, 16-core Neural Engine 512GB HD and 48GB of Memory is $2100 once you add the faster Ethernet port. This is ONLY $400 less than the Studio with the Apple M4 Max chip with 16‑core CPU, 40‑core GPU, 16‑core Neural Engine, 512GB HD and 48GB of Memory which supports more monitors and has the built in SD Card reader, more ports etc.

[deltax]

with the education discount the M4 Max Studio base model is $1, 799. I do think the Studio with the M4 Max will be more performant than the laptop with this chip, as the cooling will be quite a bit better. I just wish Apple had higher RAM options for the 32 core GPU base model and not force us to pay for all the extra cores just to get the RAM! Also, with the edu. discount, the top M4 Pro Mac Mini, with upgraded 48GB RAM, and 1TB SSD is $2, 019 before taxes, but we can get base model M4 Max Studio, with 36GB RAM, and upgraded 1TB SSD for $1, 979 before taxes. This is a no brainer to me. The Mac Mini is a great value, until you start upgrading the RAM and SSD, and if you want to do that, then the M4 Max studio is a much better value. last thing, you said the M4 Max Studio starts with 32GB RAM at 8:12 but it starts with 36GB :)

[FrankDavalos]

I actually think ports are a lot more important than people think they are. I first bought the Mac mini and went through such an annoying time trying to work out how to utilize the 3 thunderbolt 4 ports whilst using a two monitor setup. None of the hubs that have come out yet really gave me the port configuration I wanted. It was all UHS-I SD card slots, USB-A front ports, etc.

After trying hard to find the best way to configure the m4 setup, I decided to just take it back and solve all my problems with the M4 Max Studio base model. Literally gave me everything I need for ports and performance, and even more power and longevity than my M4 mini with 32 GB RAM.

[mysteriosovich]

What about cooling? Surely the larger MacStudio has better cooling systems in it which might sound quieter and handle more intensive tasks without overheating? Could that play a huge part in the decision making?

[stevens]

Just seems like the Studio would hold up better over a lifetime of heavy use, because of the greater cooling capacity. I would choose the Studio if I was looking to use it for long hours as my main work computer.

[goldbrick]

3:08 both are good deals, but maybe not considering the basic specs. What is the storage and RAM on those prices?

[richpate]

You missed an important spec comparison. Which base model cools better and is quieter -- mini or studio?

[MauroSanna]

Key word here is "...for most users...", which immediately excludes the M4 Max Mac Studio.

[ZEERAWIRELESS]

For a $1, 999 budget, the base model Mac Studio (M4 Max) offers significantly better value compared to the M4 Pro Mac mini at the same price.

The Mac Studio (M4 Max) comes with a 14-core CPU, 32-core GPU, 16-core Neural Engine, 36GB unified memory, and 512GB SSD.
The Mac mini (M4 Pro), on the other hand, has a 14-core CPU, 20-core GPU, 16-core Neural Engine, 48GB unified memory, and 512GB SSD.

Key advantages of the Mac Studio
✅ Better cooling
✅ Stronger GPU
✅ More ports + Built-in 10 Gigabit Ethernet

The Mac Studio (M4 Max) is the obvious choice. I imagine this must be tough for those who just purchased the M4 Pro Mac mini😅

[PoliticTurk]

What about the fan noise while demanding tasks? I returned my Mac Mini Pro because of fan noise. I also have MacBook Pro M1 but can't hear its fan. Maybe being so compact cause this problem for Mac Mini Pro models

[ytmm]

watched about 20 vids on M4 Max... this was best.. especially defining function advantage of GPU vs. CPU. Thanks!

[williamgates]

M4 Max Studio - Please do a full teardown when you get one. I want confirmation that the internal SSD modules are indeed upgradable, as in the M2 Max version. Thanks!

[gregpantelides]

Thanks, Greg. what would you recommend for basic photo editing (I.E. dragging around sliders in light room) :-)

[danielSC]

How's the fan noise on the mini? I heard the studio is quite while the mini can get loud.

[verdonrocksphotography]

I am thinking to buy one of those computers, not sure which one to get, I am photographer which my workflow is about very large files and having open very large and powerful editing programs and only one or two monitors, which one would you recommend and if Mini what update if any I should go with, thank you for great product comparison, cheers V!