Is the M4 Mac Mini the Perfect Logic Pro Workstation?

If you’re a Logic Pro user thinking about upgrading your studio computer, the M4 Mac Mini might just be the perfect balance of power, silence, and affordability. In this post, I’ll walk you through why I chose this machine for my own setup, how I customized it for music production, and how it performs inside Logic Pro compared to my previous Intel iMac.

Why I Upgraded to the M4 Mac Mini

My previous workstation was a fully loaded Intel iMac i9 with 64GB of RAM — a great computer that still performs well. But more and more, Apple has been adding Logic Pro features exclusive to Apple Silicon. Tools like Stem Splitter, Chromaglow, and the Mastering Assistant models simply aren’t supported on Intel chips.

I knew this limitation would only become a bigger issue over time, so I decided to make the jump to Apple Silicon. I didn’t need a huge leap in raw performance — I just wanted full access to Logic’s newest tools without overspending.

That’s where the M4 Mac Mini came in. It’s compact, powerful, and incredibly affordable compared to other Macs.

Specs I Chose and Why

I started with the base model Mac Mini M4, which is priced at $599 USD. For memory, I upgraded to 24GB of unified RAM. This wasn’t so much for Logic Pro itself — which runs very efficiently on Apple Silicon — but because I also record and edit my screen while producing tutorials. If you’re strictly making music, 16GB is should be just fine for most users.

The M-series chips handle memory much more efficiently than older Intel Macs, so don’t let the smaller number fool you.

For storage, I chose the 256GB base model and added my own 2TB internal SSD afterward using an upgrade kit. It’s not for everyone — it involves opening the computer — but it cut my cost dramatically. If you’d rather not tinker, I recommend getting at least 512GB from Apple.

Managing Storage for Logic Pro

Logic’s sound library alone takes up about 70GB, and third-party sample libraries (like Native Instruments Komplete) can easily consume a terabyte. Even my upgraded 2TB drive filled up quickly once I added my orchestral libraries and video files.

My current plan is to keep Logic Pro, macOS, and session files on the internal drive, and move my software libraries to external SSDs.

Some of the best external storage options I’ve found for the M4 Mac Mini include:

• Acasis Workstation Dock – Adds extra ports and up to two M.2 SSD slots (up to 16TB).
• Satechi M4 Hub with SSD Enclosure – A sleek hub that sits under the Mac Mini and adds ports plus one internal SSD slot.
• Satechi USB4 Slim NVMe Enclosure – A dedicated SSD enclosure for faster, single-cable speeds.

If you’re mostly using Logic’s built-in sounds, 512GB or 1TB internal storage will be plenty. But if you rely on big third-party libraries, plan on adding external storage early.

Software Compatibility and Bugs

Transitioning from Intel to Apple Silicon hasn’t been completely seamless. A few older plugins and drivers don’t play nicely yet.

For example, my MOTU 896 audio interface still works, but switching sample rates no longer happens automatically. And some of my iZotope plugins, like RX 7, only load when I run Logic in Rosetta mode (which disables some Apple Silicon features).

These issues are becoming less frequent as developers update their software, but if you’re using older plugins or interfaces, it’s worth checking compatibility before upgrading.

Performance Tests in Logic Pro

Now for the real question — how does the M4 Mac Mini perform in Logic Pro?

To test it, I compared the same Logic sessions on both my 2019 Intel iMac (i9, 64GB RAM) and my new M4 Mac Mini (24GB RAM).

In audio-heavy projects, both systems handled playback smoothly at a buffer size of 128 samples. Even at 32 samples, the M4 Mac Mini didn’t flinch — CPU cores stayed below 50%.

When testing more demanding sessions with multiple software instruments, the M4 still performed about twice as efficiently as the Intel iMac, giving me plenty of headroom for large productions.

In short, Logic Pro runs incredibly well on the M4 chip — even better than I expected.

Ports, Expandability, and Studio Use

The M4 Mac Mini includes two USB-C ports on the front and three Thunderbolt 4 ports on the back, plus HDMI, Ethernet, and power.

If you still use USB-A gear (like most MIDI keyboards and audio interfaces), you’ll need a hub or dock. The Acasis and Satechi options mentioned earlier are great solutions.

The other big plus? It’s completely silent. Even during heavy Logic sessions and screen recording, I never hear the fan — a huge benefit when recording vocals or acoustic instruments in the same room.

And if you need to take your setup on the go, the Mac Mini’s compact size makes it easy to throw in a bag and connect wherever there’s a monitor and keyboard waiting.

Final Thoughts

If you’re a Logic Pro user still working on an Intel Mac, the M4 Mac Mini is one of the best-value upgrades you can make. Go with the base M4 model, upgrade the storage, and you’ll have an incredibly capable home studio workstation.