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Apple iMac (21.5-inch, Late 2011) vs Apple Mac mini (Mid 2011)

Every spec side by side, from each maker's published figures.

Better figure, where one is clearly better

AppleiMac (21.5-inch, Late 2011)AppleMac mini (Mid 2011)
Overview
ReleasedAugust 2011July 2011
Performance
ProcessorIntel Core i3 3.1 GHz (iMac Late 2011)Intel Core i5-2415M, Intel Core i5-2520M, Intel Core i7-2620M or Intel Core i7-2635QM
CPU cores22 or 4
CPU threads–4 or 8
GraphicsAMD Radeon HD 6750M (256 MB GDDR5)Intel HD Graphics 3000 or AMD Radeon HD 6630M (256 MB GDDR5)
Memory2 GB, 4 GB or 8 GB2 GB, 4 GB or 8 GB
Storage250 GB256 GB to 1.5 TB
CPU3.1 GHz dual-core Intel Core i3 with 3 MB shared L3 cache. The English specification and maker education price list confirm dual-core i3; conflicting translated regional processor descriptions are not used. Exact Intel SKU unestablished.Consumer models have a 2.3 GHz dual-core Core i5-2415M or 2.5 GHz dual-core Core i5-2520M, with a 2.7 GHz dual-core Core i7-2620M option only on the 2.5 GHz model. The server has a 2.0 GHz quad-core Core i7-2635QM. Exact CPU identities are cross-checked with EveryMac; the i5-2415M's four threads come from its exact-model sheet because an individual current Intel sheet was unavailable.
GPUAMD Radeon HD 6750M with 256 MB GDDR5.The 2.3 GHz model has Intel HD Graphics 3000 with at least 288 MB shared memory; 2.5/2.7 GHz consumer configurations have AMD Radeon HD 6630M with 256 MB GDDR5. Server configurations have Intel HD Graphics 3000 with at least 384 MB shared memory.
Memory type1333 MHz DDR3; 2 GB standard in one module, configurable to 4 GB (two 2 GB) or 8 GB (two 4 GB).1333 MHz DDR3 memory. The 2.3 GHz model has 2 GB, configurable to 4 or 8 GB; other configurations have 4 GB, configurable to 8 GB. The bottom cover provides access for memory replacement.
Storage type250 GB 7200 rpm Serial ATA hard drive; slot-loading 8x SuperDrive with 4x double-layer burning.The 2.3 GHz consumer model offers a 500 GB 5400 rpm or 750 GB 7200 rpm hard drive. The 2.5/2.7 GHz consumer models additionally offer a 256 GB SSD or a separate 256 GB SSD plus 750 GB hard drive. Server choices are two 500 GB or two 750 GB 7200 rpm hard drives, a single or two 256 GB SSDs, or a separate 256 GB SSD and 750 GB hard drive. Server hard-drive capacities in configurations are the total of two drives (1000/1500 GB), and 512 GB SSD means two 256 GB drives. Mixed SSD/hard-drive combinations are described here rather than assigned one misleading storage type; they are not Fusion Drives.
Expansion slots–No internal PCI Express expansion slot or optical drive; removable bottom cover for memory access. Optional external MacBook Air SuperDrive or DVD/CD Sharing from another computer.
Display
Screen size21.5″None built in
Resolution1920 × 1080–
Display typeLED-backlit glossy TFT active-matrix LCD with millions of colours. Panel technology, brightness and refresh rate are not published.–
Connections
Ports4 × USB-A, SD card slot, Ethernet, headphone jackThunderbolt, 4 × USB-A, HDMI, Ethernet, SD card slot, headphone jack
Ethernet1 Gb/s1 Gb/s
External displaysUp to 1Up to 2
Wi-Fi802.11n802.11n
Bluetooth–4.0
CameraFaceTime HD camera–
Back portsFour USB 2.0 ports on the computer, plus two on the wired keyboard; Mini DisplayPort, FireWire 800 at 7 W, SDXC card slot, Gigabit Ethernet, headphone/optical output and audio line-in/optical input. This education model has no published Thunderbolt or Bluetooth specification.Thunderbolt up to 10 Gb/s, FireWire 800 up to 800 Mb/s, four USB 2.0 up to 480 Mb/s, HDMI, SDXC, Gigabit Ethernet and separate digital/analogue audio input and output minijacks. FireWire and the audio input are described here because the main port list has no fields for them.
External displaysBuilt-in display and one external display up to 2560 × 1600 simultaneously; extended desktop or mirroring.Maker specifies dual display and mirroring; Thunderbolt up to 2560 × 1600 and HDMI up to 1920 × 1200. HDMI to DVI adapter included; Mini DisplayPort adapters optional.
SpeakersStereo speakers with two internal 20 W amplifiers; microphone and support for Apple iPhone headset microphone.Built-in speaker; digital/analogue headphone output, multichannel HDMI audio and support for an Apple iPhone headset with microphone
Keyboard and mouseWired Apple Keyboard with Numeric Keypad and Apple Mouse with scroll ball.Display, keyboard and mouse are purchased separately; Apple Remote and external SuperDrive optional
Design and power
TypeAll-in-oneCompact
Weight8.8 kg–
Width × depth × height528 × 188.5 × 451 mm197 × 197 × 36 mm
Operating systemmacOSmacOS
Size and weight detailMaker reference weight; actual weight varies with configuration and manufacturing process.Consumer models weigh 1.22 kg; the server weighs 1.37 kg. Actual weight varies by configuration and manufacturing process; a shared weight is omitted.
Power supplyMaximum continuous power 205 W; 100–240 V AC, 50–60 Hz.Internal supply; AC input 100–240 V, 50–60 Hz single phase; maximum continuous power 85 W
Noise–The consumer page's headline gives 16 dBA idle, while its model-specific table gives 13 dB for 2.3 GHz and 15 dB for 2.5 GHz at idle, with 16 dB during hard-drive access. The server page gives 17 dBA idle. Figures depend on configuration and measurement position; no single value is selected.
Materials–Recyclable aluminium enclosure; BFR-free. PVC-free except China mainland, Korea and South Africa, where only internal cables are PVC-free.
In the boxEducation institution model with Mac OS X Lion and iLife. August 2011 month precision follows contemporary MacRumors ordering coverage and 9to5Mac shipment scheduling, corroborated by the maker price list dated 8 August; that price date is not treated as a first delivery day.Mac mini, HDMI to DVI adapter, power cord and documentation. OS X Lion and iLife included; server adds Lion Server with an unlimited-client licence. Lion Recovery and Internet Recovery support system restoration without a physical install disc.

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