Conclusion: If you’re using a Mac mini M4, there’s no need to upgrade to the M6 right now.

Nmya~chi! Tuna (@miyakojimalife_) (*’▽’)

As someone currently using the Mac mini M4 released in 2024, I compared it to the new Mac mini M6 scheduled for release in September 2026.

To put it simply,If you’re currently using a Mac mini M4 and your main activities are blogging, browsing the web, watching videos, editing photos, and general work, there’s no rush to upgrade to the M6.I think so.

The M6 is definitely a high-performance model.

According to Apple, the Mac mini with the M6 chip, compared to the model with the M4 chip,CPU performance is up to 40% faster, graphics performance is up to twice as fast, AI performance is up to four times faster, and storage speed is also up to twice as fast.It reads as follows.

However, even though the M4 is a 2024 model, it still offers plenty of high performance.

In fact, upgrading from the M4 to the M6 is,

“People who can’t do certain things in M4”

This is an upgrade we’d like to recommend.

In this article, based on my experience using the Mac mini M4—which was released in 2024—I’ll provide a detailed look at the M4’s usability, how it differs from the new M6, and who should upgrade versus who doesn’t need to.

The Mac mini M4 is a model released in 2024.

The model I’m currently using is the Mac mini M4, which was released on November 8, 2024.

A photo from back when it was brand-new and shiny.

Announced by Apple on October 29, 2024, it debuted as the new Mac mini, featuring the M4 and M4 Pro chips.

At the time of its release, the M4 model wasEquipped with 16GB of unified memory, starting at 94,800 yen (tax included)That was the pricing structure.

And what really impressed me about this Mac mini M4 was just how small it is.

It’s this small, even when compared to a 500ml plastic bottle.

The dimensions are,

• Height: approx. 5 cm
• Width: approx. 12.7 cm
• Depth: approx. 12.7 cm

That is what it says.

It’s extremely compact, even when placed on a desk, and takes up significantly less space than a small gaming desktop PC.

The comparison model is the ASUS ROG GR8 II Black. Back in 2017, it was a gaming PC, and I was amazed by how small it was.

It’s so much smaller—even compared to the ROG GR8 II.

And yet, it’s equipped with an M4 chip.

Key Specifications of the Mac mini M4

The standard M4 model is,

• 10-core CPU
• 10-core GPU
• 16-core Neural Engine
• 16GB unified memory
• 256GB SSD
• Thunderbolt 4
• Wi-Fi 6E
• Bluetooth 5.3

That is the structure.

The CPU features four high-performance cores and six high-efficiency cores, with a memory bandwidth of 120 GB/s.

Looking at the numbers alone, it might seem outdated compared to the M6 in 2026.

However, when you actually try using it, things are a little different.

Benefits I’ve Noticed From Actually Using the Mac mini M4

For everyday use, the M4 is more than enough.

What I’ve particularly noticed while using the Mac mini M4 is,I rarely feel that the performance is insufficient during my daily work.That’s the gist of it.

For example,

• Searching with multiple tabs open in Safari
• Writing a Blog on WordPress
• Editing RAW Photos in Photoshop
• Editing 4K Videos
• Watch movies with a subscription
• Using AI services such as ChatGPT
• Using multiple apps at the same time

For tasks like this, M4 is extremely convenient.

I,I use a mirrorless camera called the Canon R5 Mark 2.

Since it’s a high-resolution DSLR camera, the photo files are very large.

As for how heavy it is,

One photo is equivalent to about 20 iPhone photos.

Although I can shoot videos in up to 8K, I usually use 4K due to storage limitations.

Even so, it runs smoothly and without any issues during editing.

If your work primarily involves writing, image editing, and browser tasks, switching from M4 to M6 is unlikely to make you feel like “the world has changed dramatically.”

The Mac mini M4 is still perfectly usable even in the age of AI

When the M4 was introduced in 2024, Apple positioned the Mac mini as a Mac compatible with Apple Intelligence.

The M4 is equipped with a 16-core Neural Engine and supports AI processing.

Therefore,

“Since I’m an M4, I can’t keep up with the AI era.”

That’s not the case.

Of course, AI performance has been significantly enhanced in M6.

The M6 features a Neural Accelerator in each GPU core and incorporates a dual 16-core Neural Engine.

According to Apple, AI performance is up to four times faster than the M4.

However, if you’re simply using cloud-based ChatGPT or other generative AI services via a browser, an M4 is more than sufficient for a smooth experience.

What’s new with the Mac mini M6?

On August 25, 2026, Apple announced the new Mac mini.

This new Mac mini will feature the new M6 and M5 Pro chips.

The M6 model is scheduled to go on sale on September 22, 2026, and pre-orders are currently being accepted on Apple’s official website.

The current retail price of the Mac mini in Japan isStarting at 149,800 yenThat is what it says.

Compared to when the M4 model was first released,It’s about 50,000 yen more expensive.

Compared to two years ago, it seems to have been affected by inflation and soaring memory prices.

A major feature of the M6 model is not just a simple increase in CPU performance.

One thing worth noting in particular is,

AI performance, GPU performance, storage speed, and network performance

This is an enhancement.

Comparing the Mac mini M4 and M6

The M6 features a CPU that has been expanded from 10 cores to 12 cores, and a GPU that has also been expanded from 10 cores to 12 cores.

Furthermore, the maximum memory bandwidth has increased from 120 GB/s on the M4 to 170 GB/s on the M6.

The biggest improvement in the M6 is its AI performance

When comparing the M4 and M6, what I personally find most interesting is their AI performance.

The M6 features a Neural Accelerator in each GPU core.

It also features a dual 16-core Neural Engine.

As a result, compared to the M4, Apple…

AI Performance: Up to 4x

It promotes…

In fact, according to Apple’s benchmark data, LLM prompt processing in LM Studio is up to 4.8 times faster than on a Mac mini equipped with the M4 chip.

Additionally, it is reported to be up to 1.5 times faster than the M4 in Microsoft Excel spreadsheet calculations and up to twice as fast as “Cyberpunk 2077” with ray tracing enabled.

In other words, the M6 is not just a “new Mac mini.”

For those who want to run local AI on a Mac, the leap from M4 to M6 is quite significant.

This is the general idea.

The M6 also supports Wi-Fi 7 and 2.5 Gb Ethernet

Communication features have also been enhanced in the M6.

The M4 featured Wi-Fi 6E and Bluetooth 5.3, but the M6 features,

• Wi-Fi 7
• Bluetooth 6
• 2.5 Gb Ethernet

It supports this.

Ethernet can also be upgraded to 10Gb Ethernet.

For those with faster home internet connections or who use devices such as NAS, this difference offers a significant advantage.

On the other hand, if you’re using it for general Wi-Fi activities—such as browsing the internet, watching videos, or writing a blog—you’ll likely have few issues even with the M4’s Wi-Fi 6E.

The body size is virtually the same for the M4 and M6 models.

Even with the M6, the Mac mini remains just as compact as ever.

The M4 unit was extremely small, measuring approximately 12.7 cm square and 5 cm tall.

The new M6 also features a 5×5-inch ultra-compact body.

In other words,

“When I switched from the M4 to the M6, the main unit got even smaller.”

That’s not the case.

It’s easiest to think of this M6 as a model that has significantly upgraded its internal components within the same compact body, rather than one that has undergone a major exterior redesign.

Who Should Upgrade from a Mac mini M4 to an M6

This is the most important part.

For those currently using the M4, under what circumstances should they upgrade to the M6?

1. People who want to use AI seriously on a Mac

The people I would most recommend upgrading to the M6 are those who actively use local AI.

For example,

• I want to run a local LLM
• I want to run an AI agent on my Mac.
• I want to use image-generating AI locally
• I want to speed up AI-based video processing
• Performing large-scale AI processing on a daily basis

That’s the kind of person he is.

Since the M6 is said to offer up to four times the AI processing performance of the M4, you’ll likely notice a significant improvement in performance for this use case.

2. People who frequently edit videos or work with 3D graphics

People who rely heavily on GPU performance—such as for video editing, 3D rendering, and gaming—should also consider upgrading to the M6.

The M6 is said to offer up to twice the graphics performance of the M4.

In particular, for games that use ray tracing, Apple’s benchmarks have shown performance up to twice as fast.

3. People using a high-speed internet connection

For those with a home network capable of 2.5 Gbps or higher, or those who frequently transfer large files to a NAS, the M6’s support for 2.5 Gb Ethernet is a major selling point.

Although you can configure 10Gb Ethernet on the M4, the standard Ethernet is Gigabit.

If network speed is a priority, the M6 offers significant advantages.

On the other hand, people who don’t need to upgrade from an M4 to an M6

I think this scenario is more common.

Just like me right now,

• Write a blog post
• Search on Safari
• Use ChatGPT
• Edit photos
• Editing everyday videos
• Watch a movie

If that’s your main use case, the M4 is still more than capable.

Since the M4 is a 2024 model, even now in 2026, only about two years have passed since its release.

And it’s an M4 with Apple Silicon.

You don’t need to think, “My computer is two years old, so I have to replace it.”

Conclusion on Upgrading from a Mac mini M4 to an M6

Finally, I’ll summarize my own conclusions as someone who currently uses the M4.

People who are better off using the M4 as-is

• Blog Writing
• Web Browsing
• Watching videos, such as on YouTube or in movies
• Photo Editing
• Everyday Video Editing
• Use of cloud-based AI such as ChatGPT
• I have no complaints about the M4’s operating speed
• Do not frequently handle large files
• Do not use local AI

People like this,There’s no need to rush into upgrading to the M6.I think so.

People Who Should Upgrade to the M6

• I want to start using local AI in earnest
• I want to run an LLM on my Mac
• I want to use an AI agent
• Frequently edit videos
• Create 3D renderings
• Prioritize GPU performance
• Using a high-speed network connection
• I’m actually experiencing the M4’s lack of performance

If you’re the kind of person who…It’s worth considering upgrading to the M6.

I still use a Mac mini M4.

The Mac mini M4, released in 2024, is still a fully functional Mac even now in 2026.

The new Mac mini M6 has certainly seen significant improvements.

Major Evolution from M4 to M6

• CPU: 10 cores → 12 cores
• GPU: 10 cores → 12 cores
• Memory bandwidth: 120 GB/s → up to 170 GB/s
• AI Performance: Up to 4x
• Graphics: Up to 2x
• Storage speed: Up to twice as fast
• Wi-Fi: Wi-Fi 6E → Wi-Fi 7
• Bluetooth: 5.3 → Bluetooth 6
• Ethernet: 1 Gb → 2.5 Gb standard

There is a significant difference.

However, if you already own a Mac mini M4,You don’t need to replace it just because it’s a “new model.”

If you’re satisfied with the M4 for your day-to-day work, we recommend continuing to use it as is.

On the other hand, if you plan to start seriously working with local AI, video editing, 3D, and GPU processing, upgrading to the M6 is a very attractive option.

For Mac mini M4 users, the M6 is not a “must-have upgrade.”

However,

“The Next Mac for Serious AI Use”

From that perspective, the M6 is a very appealing model.

As of August 2026, I plan to continue using the M4 for a while longer while waiting to see hands-on reviews of the M6 and its actual AI performance to decide when to upgrade.

I hope this article helps someone have a great time.

Thank you for reading to the end.

Tandiga (´･ω･)(´_ _) Tandiga♪