Budget AI Mini PC Setup
One small box, nothing else to buy: the Mac mini M4 with 16 GB of unified memory runs 7B and 8B models quietly on a desk and sips power.
Parts list
| Part | Category | Key specs | US price in our data |
|---|---|---|---|
| Apple Mac mini M4 16GB 256GB | Mini PCs | 38 TOPS · 10 cores · 16 GB RAM | $599 (Apple) |
Total of the listed US prices above$599
The total is the sum of the US prices listed in our dataset for these parts, nothing added and nothing estimated. Street prices move; check the stores before you buy.
Why these parts
Unified memory means the GPU shares the same 16 GB pool the CPU uses, so an 8B model at INT4 or INT8 fits comfortably. Storage is the tight spot at 256 GB; keep big model files on an external drive.
Not sure which size of build you need? Run the VRAM Fit Checker with your model and precision, then come back to the parts list that matches. Store options are in the retailer directory by state.