The announcement comes as no surprise, given Apple's habit of eking out incremental updates to keep the cash tills ringing.

This time around, the Mac Mini features Apple's updated M4 chips and ships with 16GB of memory even on the base variants. Jobs' Mob has also shrunk the device down to a diminutive 5 by 5 inches – less than half the size of the previous generation.

The new 2024 Mac Mini starts at $599, but if you want the models with the M4 Pro chips, prepare to fork out at least $1,399. Even the entry-level variant now has a 10-core CPU and 10-core GPU, which, according to Apple, makes it almost three times faster than the older Intel-powered (Core i7) Mac Mini when applying audio effect plugins with Logic Pro, and nearly 13 times faster while playing World of Warcraft: The War Within. Colour us impressed.

Jobs' Mob also claims that the M4-powered Mac Mini is almost twice as fast as the M1-powered model with Excel sheets and can merge panoramic images nearly five times faster using Adobe Lightroom Classic. For those who want even more power, the higher-end M4 Pro models feature 14 CPU cores, with 10 dedicated to performance.

In addition to the internal upgrades, the 2024 Mac Mini supports five Thunderbolt 5 ports – two at the front and three at the back – and has done away with the legacy USB-A port. The front now sports a 3.5mm audio jack, while the rear offers an ethernet port and HDMI out.

Preorders for the 2024 Mac Mini began on October 19, 2024, through the Apple Store across the U.S. and 28 other countries, with deliveries expected on November 7, 2024. Customers who preorder can expect their shiny new gadgets to arrive on the same day.

Of course, this move is just another notch in Apple's belt as it continues to milk its loyal fanbase for all they're worth.

For more details, visit SlashGear.