New Mac Mini Provides Two Clues About RAM in Upcoming MacBook Pros

Apple today introduced a redesigned Mac mini with M4 and M4 Pro chip options, and the computer provides two clues about RAM amounts for the next 14-inch and 16-inch MacBook Pro models, which are expected to be announced tomorrow.

m3 mbp space black
First, just like the new iMac, the base-model Mac mini with the M4 chip starts with 16GB of RAM, which is double the 8GB of RAM included in the equivalent previous-generation model. As has already been rumored and leaked, it now looks almost certain that the next base-model 14-inch MacBook Pro with the M4 chip will start with 16GB of RAM too. Given that a vocal contingent of Mac fans have long criticized Apple for including only 8GB of RAM with some Macs, the increased 16GB minimum would be a long-awaited change.

Second, all higher-end Mac mini configurations with the M4 Pro chip start with 24GB of RAM, and this upgrade will likely extend to the incoming 14-inch and 16-inch MacBook Pro models with the M4 Pro chip. The current MacBook Pro models with the M3 Pro chip start with 18GB of RAM, so this would amount to a 6GB increase for the new models. The increased unified memory can benefit multitasking and Apple Intelligence performance.

Apple has yet to announce the M4 Max, so it is unclear how much RAM that chip will support.

All of this information will likely be confirmed in less than 24 hours.

Related Roundup: MacBook Pro
Buyer's Guide: MacBook Pro (Caution)
Related Forum: MacBook Pro

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Top Rated Comments

gdjsnyder Avatar
11 months ago
I personally can’t wait to see posts of complaints about how 16GB isn’t good enough now for the next 5 years.
Score: 29 Votes (Like | Disagree)
macfacts Avatar
11 months ago
Someone call the police, I'd like to report a kidnapping. The apple defenders of 8 GB have magically disappeared.
Score: 24 Votes (Like | Disagree)
KENESS Avatar
11 months ago
I'm pretty happy with the mini's starting point. It does jump up kind of fast, though...
Score: 11 Votes (Like | Disagree)
iamgalt Avatar
11 months ago

I just want enough memory to run Llama 70B using the GPU.... while also playing Rick Astley on loop via Spotify in Chrome.

(Never mind this would probably require more RAM than any Apple Silicon Mac has ever hado_O)
I'm pretty sure that Chrome alone would require more ram than all the Apple Silicon combined has. :p
Score: 10 Votes (Like | Disagree)
dinobear Avatar
11 months ago
Can't wait for tomorrow!!
Score: 9 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Return Zero Avatar
11 months ago

Throwing my hat in the ring for 32GB RAM on M4 Max. Could totally be 24GB though. I would be very afraid to place any kind of of real bet on it.
Max? It already starts with 36GB. The new Pro will start with 24GB, and Max will start with 48GB, if I had to guess.
Score: 8 Votes (Like | Disagree)