Apple’s Latest Mac Mini M4 Boasts Removable SSD, Marking Shift in Design
In a significant departure from its predecessor, Apple’s newly redesigned Mac Mini M4 now features a removable SSD, according to recent teardowns. This change aligns the compact desktop computer with the design philosophy seen in the Mac Studio and Mac Pro, both of which incorporate removable storage modules.
The shift away from soldered SSDs in earlier models represents a notable evolution in Apple’s approach to hardware design. However, it’s important to note that the SSD is not entirely modular. While the NAND chips are removable, the controller remains embedded in the system-on-chip (SoC), potentially limiting options for DIY upgrades or repairs.
Despite these limitations, the new design has already sparked interest among tech enthusiasts. A video circulating on Douyin, the Chinese version of TikTok, demonstrates a successful replacement of the NAND chips with larger ones, effectively increasing the storage capacity to 2TB. This development echoes similar storage hacks performed by Mac enthusiasts on other models in the past.
The base model of the Mac Mini M4 comes equipped with two 128GB NAND chips, rather than a single 256GB chip. This configuration mirrors the approach taken in the M3 MacBook Air and is designed to avoid performance bottlenecks observed in some earlier M-Series Macs.
In addition to the SSD changes, the teardown revealed other interesting hardware insights. The Mac Mini’s WiFi chip and antenna are now positioned on the back of the air intake, a part of the computer’s redesigned internal layout aimed at improving overall integration.
As Apple continues to refine its hardware designs, the inclusion of a removable SSD in the Mac Mini M4 may signal a broader shift towards more user-serviceable components in future Mac models. However, the extent to which this will impact repairability and upgrade options remains to be seen.
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