Apple’s 2024 Mac mini, powered by the new M4 chip, has been the subject of much excitement since its release. With a more powerful processor, improved performance, and the familiar compact form factor, the Mac mini continues to be one of the most accessible options in Apple’s desktop lineup. As with any major hardware release, tech enthusiasts and creators are eager to dive deep into the internals to better understand the design choices, performance potential, and repairability of the device. In this article, we’ll take a closer look at the teardown of the base model (16GB RAM, 256GB SSD) by YouTube creator Brandon Geekabit, as he carefully disassembles the device to reveal what lies inside.

Introduction to the 2024 Mac mini M4

Before we jump into the details of the teardown, it’s important to understand what the 2024 Mac mini brings to the table. The most significant upgrade this year is the inclusion of the new Apple M4 chip, which builds on the successes of previous M-series chips by delivering better performance, improved efficiency, and even more powerful graphics capabilities.

Alongside the M4 chip, the Mac mini continues to feature a sleek, compact aluminum body that has become synonymous with Apple’s design philosophy. The entry-level model features 16GB of unified memory and a 256GB SSD, with configurations going up to 64GB of RAM and 8TB of storage for those who need more power and capacity. The 2024 Mac mini also continues to support various I/O options, including USB-C ports, HDMI 2.1, and 10Gb Ethernet (on higher-end models).

In this teardown, we’ll focus on the base model with 16GB of RAM and a 256GB SSD.

The Exterior: Compact Yet Well-Designed

The Mac mini has always been a marvel of compact design. The 2024 version continues that trend, maintaining its small footprint while packing a considerable amount of performance into the chassis. It’s immediately clear that Apple has prioritized an elegant, minimalist look. The machine is entirely made of aluminum, with rounded edges and a smooth finish. The front is almost entirely unadorned except for the sleek Apple logo, while the rear houses all the ports, including two Thunderbolt 4 ports, two USB-A ports, a headphone jack, an HDMI 2.1 port, and a Gigabit Ethernet jack.

The bottom of the Mac mini is where things get interesting from a teardown perspective. In contrast to the aluminum exterior, the underside is finished in a matte plastic panel that is magnetically secured to the body. There are no visible screws, which gives the Mac mini a clean look. To access the internals, you’ll need to pry open this bottom panel, and while it’s not difficult to remove, a plastic spudger or a similar tool is required to avoid damaging the device.

Opening the Mac mini: The First Look Inside

After gently prying off the bottom cover, the first thing you’ll notice is a clean and neatly organized interior. The design is not overly cramped, but there’s not a lot of excess space either. Apple has optimized the internal layout to maximize cooling and performance while still keeping the overall size of the device very compact.

Metal Bracket and Button Cell Battery

Inside, the first component you encounter is a metal bracket that covers the ventilation system. This bracket serves multiple purposes: it’s not only an aesthetic feature, but it also helps guide airflow and acts as a support for the cooling system. In the center of the bracket, you’ll notice a small button cell battery, which is used to power the Mac mini’s internal clock when it’s disconnected from power.

This small battery is easily accessible and can be replaced without any major disassembly, which is a nice touch for repairability. In the event that the Mac mini needs to be disconnected from power for an extended period, this button cell ensures that internal settings like time and date are maintained.

Metal Grate and Antenna System

Removing the metal bracket reveals another interesting aspect of the Mac mini’s design: the metal grate that covers the motherboard. While this might look like a simple ventilation grill at first, it’s actually more integral to the Mac mini’s performance than you might expect. This metal grate is wired directly to the motherboard and serves a dual purpose—it’s also an antenna for Wi-Fi and Bluetooth.

Apple has cleverly integrated the antenna into the chassis, which not only saves space but also contributes to the sleek and minimalist design of the Mac mini. Disconnecting the metal grate reveals the true power of the cooling system below.

Cooling System: Centrifugal Fan and Heatsink

One of the most critical components of any modern desktop or laptop is the cooling system, and the 2024 Mac mini is no exception. Once the metal grate is removed, you can see that the cooling system consists primarily of a centrifugal fan that helps to expel hot air from the device. The fan is strategically placed to pull in cool air from the bottom of the chassis and direct it across the components that generate the most heat, namely the CPU and GPU.

In addition to the fan, there’s also an arched heatsink with a single heat pipe running through it. The heat pipe helps to distribute thermal energy away from critical components, ensuring that the M4 chip and other internal components stay within a safe operating temperature range. The fan is relatively small but efficient, and it seems to be perfectly suited to the power requirements of the M4 chip, which is designed to be highly power-efficient and thermally optimized.

Single Speaker

As with previous Mac mini models, Apple includes a single speaker located in the bottom corner of the device. While it’s not going to blow anyone away in terms of audio quality or volume, it’s a nice inclusion for users who may want to use the Mac mini in a pinch without external speakers or headphones. It also speaks to the overall compact design of the Mac mini—Apple is willing to sacrifice some audio quality for a smaller, more space-efficient design.

Accessing the Motherboard and Storage

After removing the fan and speaker, you have a much clearer view of the motherboard, which houses most of the critical components, including the Apple M4 chip. The M4 chip is, of course, the heart of the Mac mini, providing both CPU and GPU performance in a single, integrated package. It is paired with 16GB of unified memory, which means that both the CPU and GPU share the same pool of RAM, helping to streamline performance and improve efficiency.

The most notable component here is the SSD, which is located on the motherboard. The SSD in the 2024 Mac mini uses an M.2 2230 form factor, which is the same size as the SSDs found in many laptops. However, Apple has made some modifications that make this drive unique. The pin count of the SSD is different from a standard 2230 drive, which means that it’s not possible to easily swap it out with a third-party drive.

Moreover, Apple uses a custom SSD controller that is not found on off-the-shelf drives. This custom controller helps to optimize the SSD for the specific performance characteristics of the Mac mini, ensuring that it works seamlessly with the M4 chip and the rest of the system. This is part of Apple’s strategy of tightly integrating hardware and software for maximum performance, but it also means that the SSD is not user-replaceable or upgradeable.

Challenges in Repairability: What You Need to Know

One of the recurring themes in the teardown is that the 2024 Mac mini is not designed to be easily repairable or upgradeable. While components like the button cell battery are accessible and the layout is clean, several key parts of the device are not user-serviceable.

• Storage: The custom SSD with a different pin count and controller is not something you can easily upgrade or replace. If you need more storage, your best option is to configure the Mac mini with a larger SSD at the time of purchase.
• RAM: The 16GB of unified memory in the base model is soldered onto the motherboard, meaning you cannot upgrade the RAM after purchase. Users who need more RAM will need to choose a higher-tier configuration.
• Cooling system: While the cooling system appears relatively simple, replacing the fan or heatsink could be a challenge, especially since Apple has integrated them tightly into the chassis.

In general, this teardown confirms that the Mac mini M4 is designed to be a compact, high-performance device that doesn’t prioritize easy upgrades or repairs. For most users, this will not be an issue, as the Mac mini offers excellent performance out of the box. However, those who like to tinker with their devices or upgrade components down the line may find this to be a limitation.

A Powerful, Compact Desktop

The 2024 Mac mini M4 is a testament to Apple’s ability to pack impressive performance into a small form factor. The teardown reveals that Apple has carefully engineered the internals for maximum efficiency and performance, while keeping the design as sleek and minimalist as ever. The custom SSD controller, unified memory, and tightly integrated cooling system are all designed to ensure that the Mac mini delivers the best performance possible.

While the Mac mini may not be the most repairable or upgradeable machine on the market, it’s a powerhouse for users who need a compact desktop that can handle demanding tasks without taking up much space. The integration of Apple’s M4 chip into the device, along with the carefully considered internal layout, makes the 2024 Mac mini an impressive machine that is likely to serve users well for years to come.

Whether you’re a creative professional, developer, or just someone who needs a powerful and efficient

FAQs

Can I upgrade the RAM or storage in the 2024 Mac mini M4 after purchase?

No, the RAM and storage in the 2024 Mac mini M4 are not user-upgradable. The 16GB of unified memory is soldered directly to the motherboard, which means it cannot be swapped out or upgraded later. Additionally, the SSD uses a custom controller and a unique pin configuration, so it’s not compatible with off-the-shelf M.2 drives. If you anticipate needing more storage or memory, it’s important to configure the Mac mini with the desired specifications at the time of purchase.

How difficult is it to repair the 2024 Mac mini M4 if something breaks?

Repairing the 2024 Mac mini M4 can be quite challenging. While some components, like the button cell battery and fan, are accessible and may be replaceable with some effort, most of the critical components (such as the SSD, RAM, and M4 chip) are integrated into the motherboard. This means that many parts are not designed to be replaced or repaired by users. In case of a major failure, repair would likely need to be done through Apple or an authorized service provider, and it might be costly due to the specialized components and the non-upgradable nature of the device.