Can You Run Gemma 4 on a Mac Mini (24GB)?
Yes — best fit is Gemma 4 12B at SFP8 (8-bit) (~13.4GB) ✅ Comfortable, using 19GB of usable memory on a 24GB Mac Mini.
Every Gemma 4 model on this configuration
| Model | Best quant | Size | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gemma 4 E2B | BF16 (16-bit) | ~8 GB | ✅ Comfortable |
| Gemma 4 E4B | BF16 (16-bit) | ~15 GB | ✅ Comfortable |
| Gemma 4 12B | SFP8 (8-bit) | ~13.4 GB | ✅ Comfortable |
| Gemma 4 26B A4B | Q4_0 (4-bit) | ~15.6 GB | ⚠️ Tight |
| Gemma 4 31B | Q4_0 (4-bit) | ~17.4 GB | ⚠️ Tight |
How we got this verdict
24 - 5 = 19GB usable (macOS and background processes reserve roughly 5 GB of unified memory).
Because Mac Mini has enough unified memory to spare, 12B fits at SFP8 (8-bit)— a higher-precision quant than most setups get. You don't need the 4-bit QAT build here, though it's still a safe download if you want a smaller file for a second model running alongside it.
Going up to 32GB (32GB) unlocks 31B at Q4_0 (4-bit) — a step up from 12B here.
Real-world notes for this configuration
24GB is the top build-to-order configuration on the base-chip Mac Mini — an upgrade over the standard 16GB, but still the base (non-Pro) chip, not a different tier of machine. It's also the M4 Pro chip's own standard starting configuration in the current generation, which means a 24GB Mac Mini could be either a maxed-out base-chip machine or an entry-level Pro-chip one — worth checking the core count before assuming which you have.
- ⚠24GB sits at a genuine crossover point between the base chip's ceiling and the Pro chip's standard tier — check the listed core count (base-chip Minis have fewer CPU/GPU cores) to know which one you're actually looking at, since the price difference between the two can be significant.
Try a different configuration
Best fit: Gemma 4 12B · SFP8 (8-bit) · ~13.4 GB ✅ Comfortable
FAQ
Can a Mac Mini (24GB) run the 31B flagship model?
Yes, but it's tight — Gemma 4 31B fits at Q4_0 (4-bit) (~17.4GB), using 19GB of usable memory on this configuration.
What's the best Gemma 4 model for a Mac Mini (24GB)?
Gemma 4 12B at SFP8 (8-bit) (~13.4GB) is the best fit — it's the largest model that runs comfortably within the 19GB of usable memory here.
What if I have more or less memory than 24GB?
With more (e.g. 32GB), you can run larger models or the same model more comfortably — see the Mac Mini page. With less (e.g. 16GB), the best-fitting model gets smaller or tighter — see the Mac Mini page.
Is 24GB the maximum for a non-Pro Mac Mini?
Yes — 24GB is the top build-to-order option on the base-chip Mac Mini in the current generation. It's also the Pro chip's standard starting configuration, so this specific memory number can describe either chip tier.
How do I tell if my 24GB Mac Mini has the base chip or the Pro chip?
Check the core count in the full spec listing — the Pro chip has more CPU and GPU cores (and meaningfully higher memory bandwidth) than the base chip, even when both are configured to the same 24GB.
Related
Gemma 4 on Mac Mini
The full setup guide for this device family.
Can You Run Gemma 4 on a Mac Mini (16GB)?
Mac Mini — 16GB
Can You Run Gemma 4 on a Mac Mini (32GB)?
Mac Mini — 32GB
Gemma 4 Hardware Requirements
The full memory table this checker is built on.
Full Hardware Checker
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