Do these 3 things before closing this tab:
1Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitches2Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problems3Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteThere is no single fixed cost: multiply the Mac mini setup’s average power draw while the video is looping by the electricity rate for each added kilowatt-hour (kWh). Apple publishes idle and maximum-power figures, but neither measures a YouTube loop. At a hypothetical $0.15/kWh, Apple’s 4 W idle reference would cost about $5.26 a year; its 70 W maximum reference would cost about $91.98. For your actual cost, measure the complete setup at the wall while the stream is running.
How to calculate the cost of a Mac mini running 24/7
Use the average wall draw of the equipment you want to include, and your electricity provider’s marginal price per kWh—the rate that applies to the extra energy consumed. The calculation estimates the energy charge, not every item that may appear on a utility bill.
- Daily energy: average watts × 24 ÷ 1,000 = kWh per day.
- Annual energy: average watts × 8,760 ÷ 1,000 = kWh per year, assuming 365 days of continuous operation.
- Energy cost: kWh × marginal electricity price per kWh.
- Average monthly cost: annual energy cost ÷ 12.
For example, at a hypothetical rate of $0.15/kWh, a constant 4 W uses 0.096 kWh per day and 35.04 kWh per year. That is about $0.44 per average month or $5.26 per year. A constant 70 W uses 1.68 kWh per day and 613.2 kWh per year, or about $7.67 per average month and $91.98 per year. The $0.15 rate is an arithmetic example, not a claim about the average rate in any country or locality.
Actual bills can also include fixed charges, taxes, tiered rates, or time-of-use pricing. Use the marginal price that best reflects the extra consumption and the relevant tariff period. If rates vary by time, a single-rate estimate will not capture that variation.
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Apple’s published power figures are not YouTube-loop measurements
Apple’s power-consumption guidance, published September 22, 2026, says its watt readings are measured at the wall and include power-supply and system losses. Apple defines idle as Finder open with default power-management settings. Its CPU-maximum figures are from a compute-intensive test application. Neither test condition is a YouTube playback measurement, so neither should be treated as a prediction of a loop’s average draw.
| Mac mini configuration in Apple’s table | Published idle | Published maximum | How to interpret it |
|---|---|---|---|
| M6, 16 GB unified memory / 256 GB SSD | 4 W | 70 W | Idle and maximum references, not a loop average. |
| M5 Pro, 64 GB unified memory / 8 TB SSD | 6 W | 145 W | Idle and maximum references, not a loop average. |
| 2024 M4, 16 GB unified memory / 256 GB SSD | 4 W | 65 W | Idle and maximum references, not a loop average. |
| 2024 M4 Pro, 64 GB unified memory / 8 TB SSD | 5 W | 140 W | Idle and maximum references, not a loop average. |
| 2023 M2, 24 GB unified memory / 2 TB SSD | 7 W | 50 W CPU maximum | The maximum is specifically labelled CPU maximum; neither value is a loop average. |
| M1 (2020), 16 GB unified memory / 2 TB SSD | 6.8 W | 39 W CPU maximum | The maximum is specifically labelled CPU maximum; neither value is a loop average. |
Apple’s current specifications also state a maximum continuous power figure of 155 W for the Mac mini line. That specification does not mean YouTube streaming uses 155 W. Supported video formats likewise do not establish the draw for a particular browser, player, codec, resolution, or display arrangement.
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Why ENERGY STAR figures differ
ENERGY STAR certification records provide standardized state readings for specified M4 configurations in the United States and Canada. The 2025 record for the A3238 M4 with 16 GB lists 2.4 W long idle, 2.8 W short idle, 0.6 W sleep, and 0.1 W off. The 32 GB A3238 record lists 2.9 W long idle, 3.3 W short idle, 0.8 W sleep, and 0.1 W off. The A3239 M4 Pro with 64 GB lists 3.7 W long idle, 4.3 W short idle, 0.8 W sleep, and 0.1 W off. These are certification test states, not measurements of an active video loop, and should not be substituted for one.
Measure your own stream setup at the wall
- Connect a plug-in electricity usage monitor between the outlet and the equipment whose consumption you want to measure.
- Run the intended YouTube loop under normal conditions. Keep the video resolution, player or browser, display status, and connected equipment consistent with the setup you want to cost.
- Measure over a representative period. Use the monitor’s recorded energy or average-watt reading; a longer period better captures normal fluctuations than a momentary reading.
- Decide what belongs in the total. Include the display, USB devices, and network equipment if you want the whole setup’s cost. If you want the Mac mini alone, measure it separately. Compare like with like.
- Apply the formulas above. Multiply the measured average watts by 8.76 to estimate annual kWh for continuous operation, then multiply by your marginal price per kWh.
Apple’s own readings already include system and power-supply losses, so do not add an arbitrary efficiency correction. A wall measurement of your actual running setup is the most useful estimate for your situation.
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Common estimate problems and how to avoid them
- Using idle watts as the stream draw: Apple’s idle condition is Finder-only, not YouTube playback. Measure with the loop running.
- Treating a maximum reading as typical: Apple’s maximum and CPU-maximum figures describe specified test conditions, not routine playback. Do not use them as a stream prediction.
- Leaving equipment out of a whole-setup estimate: A monitor reading only the Mac mini excludes any display or peripherals plugged in elsewhere. Include each item consistently if you are estimating the complete setup.
- Using the wrong electricity rate: A household’s average bill divided by consumption may not equal the price of one additional kWh. Use the applicable marginal rate, allowing for time-of-use or tiered pricing where relevant.
- Calling an energy estimate a promised bill amount: Fixed fees, taxes, and tariff changes can affect the bill. The calculation estimates the energy charge for the stated consumption and rate.
Or let it run in the cloud
If the reason for leaving a Mac mini on is to keep prerecorded videos live on YouTube, StreamNeo is a cloud alternative: upload a recording or build a playlist, add your YouTube stream key once, and go live. StreamNeo loops the uploaded video in the cloud, so your computer and home connection do not have to stay on. It automatically recovers if YouTube drops the stream. Each slot streams the uploaded file as made, up to 4K 60fps, at one flat price per slot, with 10 GB storage per slot pooled across active slots. The first day is free with no card, one free day per account. Monthly pricing is $9.99 per month. Start your free day with StreamNeo.
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