Apple’s Mac Mini M4 has become a sought‑after compact desktop for running local, agentic AI around the clock, to the point where it was unavailable for months. With the launch of the newer Mac Mini M6 (Apple skipped an M5 model), the older M4 has reappeared on shelves, and the base configuration—256 GB SSD and 16 GB of unified memory—is now listed at $649. That price is $150 below the manufacturer’s suggested retail price and $250 less than the starting cost of the M6.
The deal is attractive for a machine that easily handles most everyday tasks and can even be configured for AI workloads. However, shoppers should note that when the M4 debuted in 2024 its base price was $599. Apple’s recent price increases, prompted by chip and memory shortages, pushed the M4’s price to $799, while the new M6 begins at $899. Depending on perspective, the current discount can feel like a welcome savings or a reminder that the model used to be cheaper. If you are considering a Mac Mini and don’t need the extra horsepower of the M6, this M4 price is hard to beat.
Although the M4 no longer holds the title of Apple’s most powerful tiny computer—now claimed by the M6 and the M5 Pro—the M4’s processor remains remarkably capable and efficient. Its ability to run agentic AI locally sparked a surge in demand, making it a budget‑friendly option for many. For demanding tasks such as AI processing or video editing, 16 GB of memory may be insufficient, and users focused on AI often upgrade to 32 GB of RAM. For the majority of users, however, the base specifications are more than adequate.
The M6’s system‑on‑a‑chip offers extra CPU and GPU cores, dedicated Neural Accelerators, and higher memory bandwidth, but the performance gap for routine activities like web browsing and standard productivity work is modest. Those who require the highest performance should consider the M6, but for most everyday computing needs, the M4 remains a solid choice, and finding a better price than the current $649 offer is unlikely.
Photograph credit: Brenda Stolyar. The Mac Mini (M4, 2024) is listed at $799, now $649 (19 % off) at Best Buy.