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Apple Mac mini (Early 2006) 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 (Early 2006)AppleMac mini (Mid 2011)
Overview
ReleasedFebruary 2006July 2011
Performance
ProcessorIntel Core Solo T1200 or Intel Core Duo T2300Intel Core i5-2415M, Intel Core i5-2520M, Intel Core i7-2620M or Intel Core i7-2635QM
CPU cores1 or 22 or 4
CPU threads–4 or 8
GraphicsIntel GMA950Intel HD Graphics 3000 or AMD Radeon HD 6630M (256 MB GDDR5)
Memory512 MB, 1 GB or 2 GB2 GB, 4 GB or 8 GB
Storage60 GB to 120 GB256 GB to 1.5 TB
CPU1.5 GHz single-core Intel Core Solo T1200 or 1.66 GHz dual-core Core Duo T2300, with 2 MB L2 cache and 667 MHz frontside bus; exact identities cross-checked with EveryMacConsumer 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.
GPUIntel GMA950 shares 64 MB DDR2 with main memory; maker footnote specifies minimum 80 MB graphics/setup usage, leaving 432 MB available from a standard 512 MB configurationThe 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 type512 MB standard as two modules of 667 MHz DDR2 SDRAM (PC2-5300); factory options 1 or 2 GB and maximum 2 GB1333 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 typeCore Solo has a 60 GB 5400 rpm SATA hard drive, configurable to 80, 100 or 120 GB; Core Duo has 80 GB, configurable to 100 or 120 GB. Solo Combo drive reads DVDs and burns CDs; Duo 8x SuperDrive burns DVDs with 2.4x double-layer support.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
Ports4 × USB-A, 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-Fi802.11g802.11n
Bluetooth2.0 + EDR4.0
Back portsFour USB 2.0 ports, one FireWire 400 port at 8 W, DVI output, Gigabit Ethernet, combined optical digital/analogue audio input and combined optical digital/headphone output. DVI, FireWire and audio input described here because the main port list has no fields for them; no HDMI or DisplayPort.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 mouseApple Remote and DVI-to-VGA adapter; display, keyboard and mouse sold separatelyDisplay, keyboard and mouse are purchased separately; Apple Remote and external SuperDrive optional
Design and power
TypeCompactCompact
Weight1.31 kg–
Width × depth × height165.1 × 165.1 × 50.8 mm197 × 197 × 36 mm
Operating systemmacOSmacOS
Size and weight detail–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 110 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, Apple Remote, power cord, install/restore DVDs and documentation. Mac OS X Tiger, iLife '06 and Front Row; Rosetta translates compatible PowerPC applications.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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