Apple Mac mini (2018) vs Apple Mac mini (Late 2009)

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

Better figure, where one is clearly better

Mac mini (2018) compared with Mac mini (Late 2009)
AppleMac mini (2018)AppleMac mini (Late 2009)
Overview
ReleasedNovember 2018October 2009
Performance
ProcessorIntel Core i3-8100B, Intel Core i5-8500B or Intel Core i7-8700BIntel Core 2 Duo P8400, Intel Core 2 Duo P8700 or Intel Core 2 Duo P8800
CPU cores4 or 62
CPU threads4, 6 or 12–
GraphicsIntel UHD Graphics 630NVIDIA GeForce 9400M (shared memory)
Memory8 GB, 16 GB, 32 GB or 64 GB (better)2 GB or 4 GB
Storage128 GB to 2 TB (better)160 GB to 1 TB
CPU3.6 GHz quad-core Core i3 with 6 MB shared L3 cache; 3.0 GHz six-core Core i5 with Turbo Boost up to 4.1 GHz and 9 MB cache; configurable to 3.2 GHz six-core Core i7 with Turbo Boost up to 4.6 GHz and 12 MB cache2.26 GHz Core 2 Duo P8400 or 2.53 GHz P8700; the lower consumer model offers a 2.53 GHz upgrade, and the higher model offers 2.66 GHz P8800. The server has a 2.53 GHz P8700. Each has two cores, 3 MB shared L2 cache and 1066 MHz frontside bus; exact chip identities cross-checked with EveryMac. The factory matrix keeps the higher model's 4 GB memory and minimum 320 GB drive with the 2.66 GHz option.
GPUIntel UHD Graphics 630; exact i3-8100B model identified by Tom’s Guide; i5-8500B and i7-8700B identified in Apple’s Common Criteria security targetNVIDIA GeForce 9400M integrated graphics shares a minimum 256 MB DDR3 memory; available system memory varies with graphics use.
Memory type2666 MHz DDR4 SO-DIMM; 8 GB, configurable to 16 GB, 32 GB or 64 GBTwo SO-DIMM slots for 1066 MHz DDR3 SDRAM, 2 or 4 GB in consumer configurations and 4 GB in the server; maker-supported maximum 4 GB
Storage typePCIe-based SSD; launch Core i3 starts at 128 GB and Core i5 at 256 GB; configurable to 512 GB, 1 TB or 2 TB; 128 GB Core i7 combinations omitted because their configure-to-order availability is not independently verifiedConsumer model offers 160, 320 or 500 GB 5400 rpm Serial ATA hard drives and an 8x SuperDrive with double-layer DVD support. Server has two 500 GB 5400 rpm drives, totalling 1 TB, and no optical drive; the 1 TB configuration represents those two drives, not one 1 TB drive.
Expansion slots–No internal PCI Express expansion slot
Display
ScreenNone built inNone built in
Connections
Ports4 × Thunderbolt 3, 2 × USB-A, HDMI, Ethernet, headphone jackDisplayPort, 5 × USB-A, Ethernet, headphone jack
Ethernet1 Gb/s1 Gb/s
External displaysUp to 3 (better)Up to 2
Wi-FiWi-Fi 5802.11n
Bluetooth5.02.1 + EDR
Back portsFour Thunderbolt 3 USB-C ports with DisplayPort and Thunderbolt 3 up to 40 Gb/s and USB 3.1 Gen 2 up to 10 Gb/s; two USB-A ports up to 5 Gb/s; HDMI 2.0; Gigabit Ethernet, configurable to 10 Gb Ethernet with 1/2.5/5/10 Gb support; 3.5 mm headphone jackFive USB 2.0 ports up to 480 Mb/s, FireWire 800, Mini DisplayPort, Mini-DVI, Gigabit Ethernet and combined optical digital/analogue audio input and output minijacks. The main DisplayPort count represents Mini DisplayPort; Mini-DVI, FireWire and audio input are described here because the main port list has no fields for them.
External displaysTwo displays up to 4096 × 2304 at 60 Hz over Thunderbolt 3 plus one up to 4096 × 2160 at 60 Hz over HDMI 2.0; alternatively, one 5120 × 2880 display at 60 Hz over Thunderbolt 3 plus one 4096 × 2160 display at 60 Hz over HDMI 2.0Extended desktop and mirroring; Mini-DVI up to 1920 × 1200 for DVI/VGA, Mini DisplayPort up to 2560 × 1600 using an optional dual-link DVI adapter. Mini-DVI to DVI adapter included; other display adapters optional.
SpeakersBuilt-in speaker; HDMI 2.0 supports multichannel audio outputBuilt-in speaker; combined optical digital audio output/headphone minijack and optical digital audio input/line-in minijack
Keyboard and mouse–Display, keyboard and mouse purchased separately; Apple Remote optional
Design and power
TypeCompactCompact
Weight1.3 kg (better)1.31 kg
Width × depth × height197 × 197 × 36 mm165.1 × 165.1 × 50.8 mm
Operating systemmacOSmacOS
Power supplyBuilt-in; 100–240 V AC, 50–60 Hz; maximum continuous power 150 WExternal 110 W adapter; maximum continuous power 110 W, 50–60 Hz single phase. The UK support sheet publishes 100–120 V only for the US, Japan and South America, so no UK input-voltage figure is inferred.
Materials100% recycled aluminium enclosureRecyclable aluminium and polycarbonate enclosure; BFR-free and PVC-free internal components; maker limits its external PVC-free cable claim to North America
ColoursSpace Grey–
In the boxMac mini, power cordMac mini, Mini-DVI to DVI adapter, 110 W power adapter and cord, install/restore DVDs and documentation. Consumer model includes Mac OS X Snow Leopard and iLife '09; server includes Mac OS X Server 10.6 Snow Leopard.

More comparisons