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A free scan shows the junk files, broken settings and background clutter dragging Windows down - then fixes them in one click.Free scan · Windows 10 & 11There is no verified, universal wattage for a Mac mini playing YouTube continuously. Apple’s published figures are useful reference points, not measurements of YouTube playback: its listed 2024 M4 Mac mini uses 4 W at idle, and the listed M4 Pro model uses 5 W at idle. To find your own stream’s electricity use, measure the complete setup at the wall while it is running.
What Apple’s power figures do—and don’t—tell you
Apple’s support table gives idle and maximum values for specific configurations. Its idle condition is Finder open under default power-management settings; its CPU-maximum condition uses a compute-intensive test. Neither represents browser-based YouTube playback, and a maximum figure should not be treated as continuous consumption.
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Apple says its watt measurements are taken at the wall and include power-supply and system losses. Do not add another allowance for those losses when using Apple’s figures.
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| Mac mini configuration listed by Apple | Idle | Maximum listed |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 M4, 16 GB memory, 256 GB SSD | 4 W | 65 W |
| 2024 M4 Pro, 64 GB memory, 8 TB SSD | 5 W | 140 W |
| 2023 M2, 24 GB memory, 2 TB SSD | 7 W | 50 W CPU maximum |
| 2023 M2 Pro, 32 GB memory, 8 TB SSD | 7 W | 100 W CPU maximum |
| M1 (2020), 16 GB memory, 2 TB SSD | 6.8 W | 39 W CPU maximum |
These are model-specific values under Apple’s stated test conditions, not directly comparable YouTube-streaming results. Apple’s Mac mini technical specifications also list 155 W maximum continuous power; that product specification is not a typical draw or a playback measurement.
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Why other published idle numbers differ
Apple’s October 2024 M4 Product Environmental Report lists idle-display-on readings of 3.92 W at 100 V, 3.96 W at 115 V, and 4.01 W at 230 V, close to the rounded 4 W in its support table. ENERGY STAR’s record for the listed 16 GB M4 configuration gives 2.8 W short idle, 2.4 W long idle, 0.6 W sleep, and 0.1 W off. These values use different categories and conditions; they should not be collapsed into one universal idle or streaming figure. Sleep and off readings do not describe active playback.
Estimate kWh for a day or month
Use this formula once you have a representative average draw:
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Watts × hours ÷ 1,000 = kilowatt-hours (kWh)
For example, at a constant assumed 4 W, 24 hours uses 0.096 kWh; over 30 days, that is 2.88 kWh. This is arithmetic using 4 W as an input—not evidence that YouTube playback draws 4 W.
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| Assumed average draw | Energy in 24 hours | Energy in 30 days |
|---|---|---|
| 4 W | 0.096 kWh | 2.88 kWh |
| 5 W | 0.120 kWh | 3.60 kWh |
| 10 W | 0.240 kWh | 7.20 kWh |
| 15 W | 0.360 kWh | 10.80 kWh |
The 4 W and 5 W scenarios use Apple’s published idle figures as calculation inputs; 10 W and 15 W are illustrative assumptions. None is a measured YouTube average. To estimate your bill, multiply your measured kWh by your own electricity rate per kWh.
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Measure your actual 24/7 setup
- Use a plug-in electricity meter. Connect the Mac mini to the meter and the meter to the wall outlet. Follow the meter’s instructions for recording energy in kWh.
- Measure the configuration you actually leave running. Start the YouTube playback or stream setup and keep the display, external drives, speakers, and other equipment in the same on/off state you plan to use.
- Let the reading cover a representative period. Record the elapsed time and accumulated kWh; a longer interval helps reflect normal variation better than a brief momentary watt reading.
- Decide what the result includes. A meter on the Mac mini alone excludes devices on other outlets. If you want the whole setup’s use, meter those devices too or measure them separately and add their kWh.
- Calculate cost. Divide the meter’s kWh by the elapsed hours to find average kW, or use the direct energy reading for that interval. For a monthly estimate, multiply average kW by the number of operating hours in your month, then multiply the resulting kWh by your local tariff.
Record the Mac mini configuration, playback resolution, browser, display state, connected equipment, and measurement duration. Those details make a later comparison meaningful. The available published figures do not quantify how each of those setup choices changes YouTube playback power.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Can you run a YouTube stream without leaving a Mac mini on?
If the goal is an always-on YouTube channel playing uploaded videos, a computer-based setup is not the only option. StreamNeo is a cloud service for keeping a YouTube channel live 24/7 from uploaded videos: upload a recording or create a playlist, add your YouTube stream key once, and go live. The cloud handles the loop, so your Mac mini and home connection do not have to stay on. See StreamNeo for details.
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Upload your video or playlist, add your YouTube stream key, and go live. Nothing has to stay powered on at home; uploaded quality up to 4K 60fps is streamed at one price per slot; and StreamNeo automatically recovers if YouTube drops the stream. The first day is free with no card. Monthly: $9.99 per month. Start at StreamNeo’s free trial registration.
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