Mac mini M4 at Best Buy: A Compact Mac Desktop for $649

The Mac mini M4 still makes a persuasive case as a compact desktop for everyday work and creative tasks. Best Buy lists the 16GB memory, 256GB SSD model for $649, down from $799; the source article also rounds the current price to $650. Either way, it sits $150 below the listed price and $150 below Best Buy’s $799 price for the Mac mini M6.

That price gap matters most if your work is built around office apps, photo editing, music production, or general desktop use. The M4 has less performance headroom than the newer M6, but the review’s assessment is that most people doing routine work won’t need to pay the extra $150. If you already own a monitor, keyboard, and mouse, this configuration offers a straightforward way to add a small Mac desktop to your setup.

Mac mini M4: listed at $649, down from $799
This silver desktop has Apple’s M4 chip, 16GB of unified memory, and a 256GB SSD. It includes front-facing USB-C ports and a headphone jack, plus Thunderbolt, HDMI, and Ethernet connections on the back. The configuration supports Apple Intelligence. View the Best Buy listing.

Small case, practical connections

The M4 Mac mini’s roughly five-inch-square design makes it easy to fit into a desk setup where a conventional desktop would take up more room. The review praised the compact build and strong performance, along with ports on the front that are convenient for plugging in accessories or headphones. That can make a difference on a desktop you use throughout the day: common connections are easy to reach without turning the computer around.

It’s also described as near-silent, which suits an office or creative workspace where fan noise can become distracting. The M4 chip and 16GB of unified memory provide the core of this configuration, and Apple Intelligence support is included. Still, the 256GB SSD is a clear constraint. A large photo library, music collection, or set of project files can use that space quickly, so buyers with substantial local storage needs should account for that before choosing this model.

What the review found

In its Mac mini M4 review, TechRadar’s Matt gave the computer five stars and an Editor’s Choice badge, citing its performance, smaller design, and front ports. The review called it the cheapest way into the Mac ecosystem and gave it full marks for value.

There are trade-offs. The reviewer found that the Mac mini M4 struggles with modern games, and described the power button on the underside as awkwardly placed. The review unit had a 512GB SSD, while the Best Buy model has 256GB. Both units used the M4 chip and 16GB of memory, so the review’s assessment of performance applies to the same core configuration, while its storage experience doesn’t match the deal model.

How the M4 price compares

Best Buy lists the Mac mini M6 at $799, reduced from $899. That makes the M4 deal $150 cheaper at the listed sale price. The M6 may suit buyers whose workloads benefit from its newer chip, while the M4 looks like the better value for routine office work and the creative tasks highlighted in the review.

There’s also useful context in the M4’s pricing history. Apple raised the Mac mini’s starting price to $799 earlier this year as memory costs increased, according to MacRumors. The M4 launched at $599, and the source article says it previously appeared in deals below $500. So $649 isn’t its lowest price, but it is $150 below the current $799 starting price.

Who should consider it

The M4 makes the most sense for someone who has a monitor and input devices already, wants a compact Mac for work or creative projects, and doesn’t need a large internal drive. Those existing accessories matter: if you need to buy a monitor, keyboard, and mouse as well, include their cost when comparing desktop options.

Skip this configuration if modern PC games are a priority, or if 256GB won’t hold your files and applications comfortably. For buyers who want a compact, quiet Mac for everyday tasks, the M4’s mix of performance, ports, and a $649 listed price makes it a strong option. The M6 is $799 at Best Buy, so the deciding question is whether its advantages for your particular workload are worth the difference.