Apple Mac mini (Late 2009) vs Apple Mac mini (M2 or M2 Pro)

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

Better figure, where one is clearly better

Mac mini (Late 2009) compared with Mac mini (M2 or M2 Pro)
AppleMac mini (Late 2009)AppleMac mini (M2 or M2 Pro)
Overview
ReleasedOctober 2009January 2023
Performance
ProcessorIntel Core 2 Duo P8400, Intel Core 2 Duo P8700 or Intel Core 2 Duo P8800Apple M2 or Apple M2 Pro
CPU cores28, 10 or 12
GraphicsNVIDIA GeForce 9400M (shared memory)10-core GPU, 16-core GPU or 19-core GPU
Memory2 GB or 4 GB8 GB, 16 GB, 24 GB or 32 GB (better)
Storage160 GB to 1 TB256 GB to 8 TB (better)
CPU2.26 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.M2: 8-core CPU with 4 performance cores and 4 efficiency cores; M2 Pro: 10-core CPU with 6 performance cores and 4 efficiency cores, or 12-core CPU
GPUNVIDIA GeForce 9400M integrated graphics shares a minimum 256 MB DDR3 memory; available system memory varies with graphics use.M2: 10-core GPU; M2 Pro: 16-core or 19-core GPU
AI engine–16-core Neural Engine
Memory bandwidth–M2: 100GB/s; M2 Pro: 200GB/s
Memory typeTwo 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 typeConsumer 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.SSD
Media engine–Hardware-accelerated H.264, HEVC, ProRes and ProRes RAW; video decode engine; video encode engine; ProRes encode and decode engine
Expansion slotsNo internal PCI Express expansion slot–
Display
ScreenNone built inNone built in
Connections
PortsDisplayPort, 5 × USB-A, Ethernet, headphone jack2 × Thunderbolt 4, 2 × USB-A, HDMI, Ethernet, headphone jack
Ethernet1 Gb/s1 Gb/s
External displaysUp to 2Up to 2
Wi-Fi802.11nWi-Fi 6E
Bluetooth2.1 + EDR5.3
Back portsFive 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.2 × Thunderbolt 4 (M2) or 4 × Thunderbolt 4 (M2 Pro), with DisplayPort, Thunderbolt 4 and USB 4 (up to 40Gb/s) and USB 3.1 Gen 2 (up to 10Gb/s); 2 × USB-A (up to 5Gb/s); HDMI with multichannel audio output; Gigabit Ethernet, configurable to 10Gb Ethernet; 3.5 mm headphone jack with advanced support for high-impedance headphones
External displaysExtended 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.M2: up to two (one at up to 6K 60Hz over Thunderbolt, plus one at up to 5K 60Hz over Thunderbolt or 4K 60Hz over HDMI); M2 Pro: up to three (two at up to 6K 60Hz over Thunderbolt plus one at up to 4K 60Hz over HDMI), or one at up to 8K 60Hz or 4K 240Hz over HDMI
SpeakersBuilt-in speaker; combined optical digital audio output/headphone minijack and optical digital audio input/line-in minijackBuilt-in speaker
Microphones–None built in
Keyboard and mouseDisplay, keyboard and mouse purchased separately; Apple Remote optional–
Design and power
TypeCompactCompact
Weight1.31 kg1.18 kg (better)
Width × depth × height165.1 × 165.1 × 50.8 mm197 × 197 × 35.8 mm
Operating systemmacOSmacOS
Power supplyExternal 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.Built-in; 100–240V AC; 150W (M2) or 185W (M2 Pro) maximum continuous power
Power use–M2 with 24GB and 2TB: 7W idle, 50W CPU maximum; M2 Pro with 32GB and 8TB: 7W idle, 100W CPU maximum
Noise–5 dBA sound pressure at idle (operator position)
Colours–Silver
MaterialsRecyclable aluminium and polycarbonate enclosure; BFR-free and PVC-free internal components; maker limits its external PVC-free cable claim to North America–
In the boxMac 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.Mac mini, power lead

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