Apple Mac mini M4 (Base)

Pros

• +Apple M4 (10-core CPU / 10-core GPU) delivers desktop-class speed in a silent 5-inch chassis
• +$599 base price undercuts every Windows pick here on raw price-to-performance
• +16-core Neural Engine rated at 38 TOPS runs on-device Apple Intelligence without a fan spinning up
• +Three Thunderbolt 4 ports plus front USB-C and HDMI drive three external displays natively
• +16GB unified memory and macOS efficiency stay responsive under a full browser-plus-editor load

Cons

• −Base 256GB SSD fills fast and Apple storage upgrades are expensive
• −Memory and storage are sealed — no later upgrade path
• −macOS only, so Windows-specific software is off the table
• −No option for dual Ethernet or a discrete GPU