Apple’s latest line of MacBook Pro models now feature the M4 silicon chip inside. This is either the standard M4 or one of the more advanced Pro or Max versions. I’ve used most of the generations of the Apple silicon over the years and it never ceases to impress me how fast and efficient they really are.

For years, the Mini was the odd man out in the Mac desktop lineup. Apple has given plenty of love to the iMac over the years. The Mac Pro has had a few false starts, but the company is clearly committed to offering a true professional-grade desktop experience.

When it was introduced during the white plastic heyday of peak iPod-era Apple, the Mac mini was pitched as the cheapest way to buy into the Mac ecosystem. It was $499. And despite some fluctuation (as high as $799 for the entry-level 2018 mini, $599 for this year's refresh), the Mac mini has stayed the cheapest entry-level Mac ever since.