The Mac Mini M4 is small fast and powerful. Its perfect for developers designers and everyday users who want solid performance in a compact form. But there’s one big problem—Apple charges a lot for extra storage.
If you didn’t buy the higher storage option upfront you might feel stuck. But don’t worry. There’s a smart and simple way to add more space without spending a fortune. In this guide you’ll learn how to boost your storage using affordable and fast external drives that work great with your Mac.
Why Apple’s Storage Upgrades Cost So Much
Apple is known for high prices especially when it comes to internal upgrades. Going from 256GB to 1TB can cost you hundreds of dollars. But that extra storage doesn’t come with any performance boost. Its the same speed—just more space. And worse you cant upgrade it later because the SSD is soldered to the board. Thats where external SSDs come in. They give you the same benefits without the premium price tag.
How External SSDs Solve the Problem
Thanks to modern technology external drives are now super fast. With Thunderbolt 4 or USB 4 you get speeds close to the internal SSD. This means you can run apps store files or even boot macOS from the external drive—all without any slowdowns. Whether you’re coding editing video or just storing photos an external SSD gives you the freedom to do more without running out of space.
Real-Life Example Developer and Creative Use
Lets look at how this works in real life. A software developer in New York added a 2TB USB 4 SSD to their Mac Mini with Apple silicon. It worked right away and gave enough space for all their coding tools simulators and test builds. No slowdowns. No stress. Another user a video editor used a Thunderbolt 4 SSD with her Mac Mini for creative work. She edits 4K videos straight from the drive. Everything loads fast. She saved over $400 by skipping Apples upgrade.
What You’ll Need to Upgrade Storage
First choose the right type of drive. If speed matters to you—like for editing or app development—go with a Thunderbolt 4 SSD. These are more expensive but very fast.
If you want a cheaper option thats still fast buy a USB 4 NVMe enclosure and a separate NVMe SSD. Together they cost much less and still give great performance. Once you have your drive plugged into your Mac. Open Disk Utility and format it using APFS for best results. Now youre ready to store files run apps or even install macOS on it.
Using External Storage Like Internal
macOS lets you install the system on an external drive. That means you can turn your external SSD into a full startup disk. When you boot from it your Mac acts just like it would with internal storage. Its fast smooth and easy. You can also move heavy apps photos videos or music libraries to the external SSD. This helps free up space on the built-in drive keeping everything running fast.
Is Mac Mini M4 Still Worth It with External Storage
Absolutely. The Mac has an upgraded chip thats much better than the previous version. Comparing Apple M4 vs M2 the M4 gives faster graphics a better neural engine and smoother multitasking. And once you add external storage you won’t feel limited at all. If you’re thinking about the Mac Mini vs Mac Studio it comes down to your needs. The Mac Studio has more ports and power but the Mini can handle most tasks easily—especially with added storage. For many users the Mini is the better value.
Creative Work Development and More
Whether you’re designing in Photoshop editing in Final Cut or building apps in Xcode space matters. The Mac Mini M4 specs make it fast enough for heavy tasks but without enough storage you’ll hit limits fast.
External SSDs fix that. They give you the room to grow your projects work faster and save money.
Mac Mini Performance in 2025
The Mac Mini performance 2025 tests show that the M4 chip is highly efficient. It uses less power and stays cool even under load. But if your internal storage fills up performance can dip. Thats why external drives are more than just storage—they keep your Mac running smoothly.
Best Storage Options Right Now
Some of the top SSD brands for your Apple M4 desktop model include Samsung Crucial and Western Digital. For enclosures Sabrent and OWC make reliable options that support USB 4 or Thunderbolt 4. Make sure to choose one that matches your needs. Go for high speed if you’re using large files or editing media. For backups or casual use a basic drive will do fine.
People Also Ask (FAQs)
Can I upgrade the Mac Mini internal storage
No. The storage is soldered and cannot be replaced.
Is an external SSD as fast as internal
Yes especially if you use Thunderbolt 4 or USB 4 drives.
Can I run macOS from an external SSD
Yes. You can install macOS and boot from the drive like normal.
Will using an external SSD void my warranty
No. External drives wont affect your warranty or AppleCare.
Is the Mac Mini good for creative and development work
Yes. With external storage its a powerful and cost-effective tool for both.
Conclusion
The Mac Mini M4 is a powerful and affordable desktop computer. But Apples storage prices can be a deal breaker. The good news You don’t need to pay them. With a little research and the right external SSD you can boost your storage without hurting your wallet. This upgrade is easy fast and totally worth it—especially if you’re using your Mac for serious work. Don’t let low space hold you back. Add more spend less and keep your system running like new.
