Apple Mac Mini M4 vs HP Elite Mini 800 G9
We compare the Apple Mac Mini M4 and HP Elite Mini 800 G9 head-to-head on performance, features, value, and more. Here's which one wins.
Apple Mac Mini M4
Scored 9.4/10 in our testing
Apple Mac Mini M4
Best compact desktop with M4 chip and Thunderbolt 4 in a tiny form factor
HP Elite Mini 800 G9
Best budget compact desktop under $500 for everyday computing
Score Breakdown
| Apple Mac Mini M4 | Category | HP Elite Mini 800 G9 |
|---|---|---|
| 9.5/10 ✓ | Performance | 8.3/10 |
| 9.4/10 ✓ | Features | 8.5/10 |
| 9.6/10 ✓ | Ease of Use | 9.2/10 |
| 9.2/10 | Value | ✓ 9.4/10 |
| 9.4/10 ✓ | Overall | 8.8/10 |
Specs Comparison
| Apple Mac Mini M4 | Spec | HP Elite Mini 800 G9 |
|---|---|---|
| Apple M4 — 10-core CPU, 10-core GPU | Chip | Intel Core i5-12500T |
| 16GB unified memory | RAM | 16GB DDR5 |
| 256GB SSD (configurable to 2TB) | Storage | 256GB NVMe SSD |
| Thunderbolt 4 x3, USB-C x2, HDMI, Ethernet | Ports | USB-C, USB-A x4, DisplayPort x2 |
| 5 x 5 x 2 inches — fits in palm | Size | 1-liter — ultra compact |
Apple Mac Mini M4
Pros
- + Tiny — 5x5x2 inches
- + M4 — fast and silent
- + Thunderbolt 4 x3
- + Supports up to 3 displays
Cons
- − Starts at 256GB
- − Not user-upgradeable
- − macOS only
- − Need your own monitor/keyboard/mouse
HP Elite Mini 800 G9
Pros
- + Under $500
- + HP business-class reliability
- + Ultra compact
- + Dual DisplayPort — two monitors
Cons
- − 256GB SSD is small
- − i5-12500T is older gen
- − No HDMI — DisplayPort only
- − Needs monitor/keyboard
Our Verdict
Based on our scoring, the Apple Mac Mini M4 comes out on top with an overall score of 9.4/10. The Mac Mini M4 is absurdly powerful for its size — 5 inches square, silent operation, and performance that embarrasses towers three times its size. Thunderbolt 4 x3 connects every peripheral you need. Handles 4K video editing, software development, and heavy multitasking without breaking a sweat.
Buy the Apple Mac Mini M4 on AmazonRead the full Best Compact Desktop PCs 2026 guide for complete reviews of all 2 products.