Mac mini M4 vs MacBook Pro M4: which is better for gaming?
Compared across 35 Mac games · High preset · no MetalFX
In short
Both use the same Apple M4, so cooling and memory make the difference.
For gaming the gap is small: if you already own the Mac mini M4, upgrading is not worth it. If you are buying, pick whichever has more memory for the money.
22 games at 60+ FPS · wins 32 of 35
21 games at 60+ FPS · wins 0 of 35
Average FPS by resolution
| Resolution | Mac mini M4 | MacBook Pro M4 | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1080p | 74FPS | 73FPS | -1 % |
| 1440p | 47FPS | 47FPS | 0 % |
| 4K | 25FPS | 24FPS | -4 % |
Which one for your resolution?
- 1080p: practically a tie.
- 1440p: practically a tie.
- 4K: practically a tie.
Specifications
| Mac mini M4 | MacBook Pro M4 | |
|---|---|---|
| Chip | Apple M4 | Apple M4 |
| Generation | M4 | M4 |
| GPU cores | 10 | 10 |
| Geekbench Metal | 59,901 | 59,901 |
| Unified memory | 16 / 24 / 32 GB | 16 / 24 / 32 GB |
| Cooling | Fan | Fan |
| Gaming score | 16/100 | 16/100 |
| Year | 2024 | 2024 |
Game performance
Estimate1080p · High
The MacGameFPS verdict
Calibrated on real Mac benchmarks, not spec sheets
Verdict
The Mac mini M4 wins in 32 of 35 games. For gaming the gap is small: if you already own the Mac mini M4, upgrading is not worth it. If you are buying, pick whichever has more memory for the money.
FAQ
Which is better for gaming, the Mac mini M4 or the MacBook Pro M4?
Both use the same Apple M4, so cooling and memory make the difference.
Is upgrading from the Mac mini M4 to the MacBook Pro M4 worth it for gaming?
For gaming the gap is small: if you already own the Mac mini M4, upgrading is not worth it. If you are buying, pick whichever has more memory for the money.
How big is the FPS gap in Cyberpunk 2077?
At 1080p High, the Mac mini M4 gets about 24 FPS and the MacBook Pro M4 about 23 FPS.
Which one for 1440p or 4K gaming?
At 1440p the average is 47 vs 47 FPS, and at 4K 25 vs 24 FPS (Mac mini M4 vs MacBook Pro M4).
How much memory should I get?
For gaming, 16 GB is the sensible minimum and 24 GB leaves headroom. The Mac mini M4 ships with 16, 24, 32 GB and the MacBook Pro M4 with 16, 24, 32 GB.
