M4 Mac mini - Buzzing/Vibration sound

I got it exchanged aswell. Same spec as before.

The buzzing is now much quieter, but it is, as you wrote before, not completely gone.

You can still notice it when going close to the Mac mini or when being in a very quiet room.

For me, it is acceptable now, the old one was not.

It is not the fan. As stated before, it is also buzzing when the Mac is turned off and plugged into the power outlet.

Also the fan is not running when the Mac in not under heavy load and a fan would make a very different type of noise.

Just an FYI Apple have just called me from Texas (Im in the UK) regarding the issue and asked a ton of questions about my set up etc. I sent them video/audio that I had recorded of it. The rep didn't say explicitly this is a widespread issue but it does seem they are aware there are a few M4 Mac Minis out there with the issue.

So you are having this issue using a TB cable connected to your Studio display? I have that setup and no noise/vibration at all. Seems strange unless there is a quality control problem between units.

I agree with you, I have just returned my 4th M4 Mac mini as they all had the problem. If you want Sneezy Lab breakdown the converter is on the top at the front of the unit, That is the place the buzzing is coming from.

Only people on 240v look to be having the problem I think.

Recycling and renewable energy has nothing to do with it.

Transformers all vibrate. How much depends upon the load.

I suspect the new design has more load placed on the transformer.

Voltage levels into the transformer might be at issue as well.

The sign wave for a 110 volts AC power is less than that of a 240 volt AC power input. Different input frequency as well could cause a different vibration.

The overall system design may not dampen vibrations very well.

No news from me. I spoke with a guy from Apple in Austin, Texas. He phone me, I'm in the UK.

They would not acknowledge the issue and said my only option was to return the unit within the 14 days for a full refund.

Like you I will hold out for a fix / new version maybe with M5.

Noise is created by something vibrating. It might be the speaker vibrating but I doubt it. The transformer is the next possibility. There might be some other coil that vibrates on the PCB.

A case can be designed to amplify sound with a careful chamber design.

But recycling has nothing to do with it.

j0urn3ym4n wrote:

In my case the desk acts as an amplifier. So my solution ist either put the Mac Mini sideways (strange enough that solved it) or put it on some rubber / silicon feet. Even putting a pack of tissues beneath the Mac Mini and the desk helped instantly.

👍 That is an excellent solution.

I use to put my old iMac and external HDD's on mouse pads to reduce the transfer of vibration and noise to my desk.

M2 minis are still available Refurbished Mac Deals - Apple - I would get one of those. Performance is decent minus the radical design changes. Otherwise you might be looking at a long wait.

Same Problem here. Got the standard entry-level M4 spec.

Monitor connected via a Thunderbolt-to-DisplayPort Cable which never had any issues. Monitor is a 2K 60 Hz Eizo screen.

When connected with the MacMini the buzzing increases, even when the Mini is turned off.

It also occurs with other monitors via HDMI, so no difference to USB-C / Thunderbolt there.

I suspect it comes from the power supply (PSU), as it occurs always when the Mac Mini is plugged in regardless wheather it is turned on or off.

This might be the underlying issue:

I would return it.

You're welcome.

FWIW you can also use USB-C to DisplayPort cable with that display.

for example: > https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07RY75V7Q/ref=sspa_dk_detail_1?