Request a product

Apple Mac mini (2005) vs Apple Mac mini (Mid 2011)

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

Better figure, where one is clearly better

AppleMac mini (2005)AppleMac mini (Mid 2011)
Overview
ReleasedJanuary 2005July 2011
Performance
ProcessorPowerPC G4 7447A (1.25 GHz) or PowerPC G4 7447A (1.42 GHz)Intel Core i5-2415M, Intel Core i5-2520M, Intel Core i7-2620M or Intel Core i7-2635QM
CPU cores12 or 4
CPU threads–4 or 8
GraphicsATI Radeon 9200Intel HD Graphics 3000 or AMD Radeon HD 6630M (256 MB GDDR5)
Memory256 MB, 512 MB or 1 GB2 GB, 4 GB or 8 GB
Storage40 GB to 80 GB256 GB to 1.5 TB
CPU1.25 or 1.42 GHz PowerPC G4 with Velocity Engine, 512 KB L2 cache and 167 MHz system bus; EveryMac identifies the single-core 7447A processor, cross-checked with the Freescale fact sheet hosted by NXPConsumer 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.
GPUATI Radeon 9200 with 32 MB dedicated DDR SDRAM and AGP 4X supportThe 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 typeOne slot for 333 MHz PC2700 DDR SDRAM, up to 1 GB. Original January models had 256 MB standard; Apple raised standard memory to 512 MB on 26 July 2005. Configurations include original and later memory options.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 type1.25 GHz model has a 40 GB Ultra ATA hard drive, configurable to 80 GB; 1.42 GHz models have 80 GB. Combo drive reads DVDs and burns CDs; optional 4x SuperDrive writes DVDs. July 2005 added a standard SuperDrive model at 1.42 GHz.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
ScreenNone built inNone built in
Connections
Ports2 × USB-A, Ethernet, headphone jackThunderbolt, 4 × USB-A, HDMI, Ethernet, SD card slot, headphone jack
Ethernet0.1 Gb/s1 Gb/s
External displaysUp to 1Up to 2
Wi-FiOptional 802.11g802.11n
BluetoothOptional internal Bluetooth4.0
Back portsTwo USB 2.0 ports, FireWire 400 (8 W), DVI, 10/100BASE-T Ethernet and headphone/audio line output. No audio input. Modem standard on original models; July 2005 lower model retains it, higher models make it optional.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 displaysDVI digital output up to 1920 × 1200; included VGA adapter supports up to 1920 × 1080. Optional Apple DVI to Video Adapter provides S-video/composite output.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.
SpeakersBuilt-in speakerBuilt-in speaker; digital/analogue headphone output, multichannel HDMI audio and support for an Apple iPhone headset with microphone
Keyboard and mouseDisplay, keyboard and mouse sold separately; DVI-to-VGA adapter includedDisplay, keyboard and mouse are purchased separately; Apple Remote and external SuperDrive optional
Design and power
TypeCompactCompact
Weight1.32 kg–
Width × depth × height165.1 × 165.1 × 50.8 mm197 × 197 × 36 mm
Operating systemmacOSmacOS
Size and weight detailMaker weight 1.32 kg; Apple notes variation by configuration and manufacturing processConsumer 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 85 W; 100–240 V AC, 50–60 Hz single phaseInternal 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 boxMac mini, power adapter, install DVDs and documentation. January models ship with Mac OS X Panther and iLife '05; July configurations use Tiger. AirPort Extreme and Bluetooth optional at launch, standard on the July 1.42 GHz models.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.

More comparisons