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Apple Mac mini (Late 2006) vs Apple Mac mini (Late 2014)

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

Better figure, where one is clearly better

AppleMac mini (Late 2006)AppleMac mini (Late 2014)
Overview
ReleasedSeptember 2006October 2014
Performance
ProcessorIntel Core Duo T2300 or Intel Core Duo T2400Intel Core i5-4260U, Intel Core i5-4278U, Intel Core i5-4308U or Intel Core i7-4578U
CPU cores22
CPU threads–4
GraphicsIntel GMA950Intel HD Graphics 5000 or Intel Iris Graphics 5100
Memory512 MB, 1 GB or 2 GB4 GB, 8 GB or 16 GB
Storage60 GB to 160 GB256 GB to 2 TB
CPU1.66 GHz Intel Core Duo T2300 or 1.83 GHz Core Duo T2400, both dual-core, with 2 MB L2 cache and 667 MHz frontside bus; exact identities cross-checked with EveryMac1.4 GHz dual-core Core i5 (Turbo Boost up to 2.7 GHz), 2.6 GHz dual-core Core i5 (up to 3.1 GHz), or 2.8 GHz dual-core Core i5 (up to 3.3 GHz). The two higher models can be configured with a 3.0 GHz dual-core Core i7 (up to 3.5 GHz). Exact processor identities are recorded by Geekbench; Ars Technica tested the Core i5-4278U and Macworld tested the Core i5-4308U.
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 configurationIntel HD Graphics 5000 in the 1.4 GHz model; Intel Iris Graphics 5100 in the 2.6 GHz, 2.8 GHz and optional Core i7 models
Memory type512 MB standard as two modules of 667 MHz DDR2 SDRAM (PC2-5300); factory options 1 or 2 GB and maximum 2 GB1600 MHz LPDDR3 soldered to the logic board; 4 GB configurable to 8 GB or 16 GB on the 1.4 GHz model, and 8 GB configurable to 16 GB on the higher models. Memory cannot be upgraded after purchase (Ars Technica).
Storage type1.66 GHz model has a 60 GB 5400 rpm SATA hard drive, configurable to 80, 120 or 160 GB; 1.83 GHz model has 80 GB, configurable to 120 or 160 GB. Lower model Combo drive reads DVDs and burns CDs; higher model 8x SuperDrive burns DVDs with 2.4x double-layer support.1.4 GHz model has a 500 GB 5400-rpm hard drive or 1 TB Fusion Drive. The 2.6 GHz model has a 1 TB hard drive, 1 TB Fusion Drive or 256 GB SSD. The 2.8 GHz model has a 1 TB Fusion Drive, later 2 TB Fusion Drive option, or 256 GB, 512 GB or 1 TB SSD. Core i7 configurations retain the storage choices of their original base model; deduplicated configurations combine these supported choices. Macworld reports the 2 TB Fusion Drive option was added after launch; it is included in Apple's current specification.
Display
ScreenNone built inNone built in
Connections
Ports4 × USB-A, Ethernet, headphone jack2 × Thunderbolt 2, 4 × USB-A, HDMI, SD card slot, Ethernet, headphone jack
Ethernet1 Gb/s1 Gb/s
External displaysUp to 1Up to 2
Wi-Fi802.11g802.11ac
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.Two Thunderbolt 2 ports up to 20 Gb/s each, four USB 3 ports up to 5 Gb/s, HDMI, SDXC slot, Gigabit Ethernet, separate digital/analogue audio input and headphone/line output; IR receiver
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.Up to two displays at 2560 × 1600; native Mini DisplayPort output over Thunderbolt. HDMI supports 1080p at up to 60 Hz, 3840 × 2160 at 30 Hz or 4096 × 2160 at 24 Hz. DVI, VGA and dual-link DVI require the appropriate adapter.
SpeakersBuilt-in speakerBuilt-in speaker; HDMI supports multichannel audio; supports Apple iPhone headset with microphone
Keyboard and mouseApple Remote and DVI-to-VGA adapter; display, keyboard and mouse sold separatelyPower lead; monitor, keyboard and mouse sold separately
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–197 × 197 × 36 mm; 1.19 kg for the 1.4 GHz model, 1.20 kg for the 2.6 GHz model and 1.22 kg for the 2.8 GHz model. Weight varies by configuration and manufacturing process; no common weight is assigned.
Power supplyMaximum continuous power 110 W; 100–240 V AC, 50–60 Hz single phaseIntegrated power supply; 100–240 V AC, 50–60 Hz; maximum continuous power 85 W
Noise–Apple specifies 12 dBA sound pressure at idle; its acoustic test configuration is the 2.8 GHz Core i5 with 8 GB memory and 1 TB Fusion Drive
Materials–Recyclable aluminium enclosure; BFR-free and PVC-free with regional power-lead exceptions
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 and power lead; shipped with OS X Yosemite at launch. The current support sheet's macOS Mojave wording reflects a later software update.

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