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Apple Mac mini (Late 2009) vs Apple Mac mini (Mid 2010)

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

Better figure, where one is clearly better

AppleMac mini (Late 2009)AppleMac mini (Mid 2010)
Overview
ReleasedOctober 2009June 2010
Performance
ProcessorIntel Core 2 Duo P8400, Intel Core 2 Duo P8700 or Intel Core 2 Duo P8800Intel Core 2 Duo P8600 or Intel Core 2 Duo P8800
CPU cores22
GraphicsNVIDIA GeForce 9400M (shared memory)NVIDIA GeForce 320M (shared memory)
Memory2 GB or 4 GB2 GB, 4 GB or 8 GB
Storage160 GB to 1 TB320 GB to 1 TB
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.Consumer model has a 2.4 GHz Core 2 Duo P8600, configurable to 2.66 GHz P8800. Server model has a 2.66 GHz P8800. Both have two physical cores, 3 MB shared L2 cache and a 1066 MHz frontside bus; exact identities are cross-checked with EveryMac. Individual current Intel pages were unavailable, so optional chip launch dates and thread figures are omitted.
GPUNVIDIA GeForce 9400M integrated graphics shares a minimum 256 MB DDR3 memory; available system memory varies with graphics use.NVIDIA GeForce 320M integrated graphics with at least 256 MB DDR3 memory shared with main memory
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 GBTwo SO-DIMM slots for 1066 MHz DDR3 SDRAM. Consumer configuration has 2 GB, configurable to 4 or 8 GB; server has 4 GB and supports up to 8 GB. Removable bottom cover provides memory access.
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.Consumer models offer a 320 or 500 GB Serial ATA hard drive and an 8x slot-loading SuperDrive supporting double-layer DVD writing. Server has two 500 GB 7200 rpm Serial ATA hard drives (1000 GB total in configurations) and no internal optical drive. No unsupported storage/processor cross-pairings with the server are listed.
Expansion slotsNo internal PCI Express expansion slotNo internal PCI Express expansion slots; bottom cover permits memory access
Display
ScreenNone built inNone built in
Connections
PortsDisplayPort, 5 × USB-A, Ethernet, headphone jackDisplayPort, 4 × USB-A, HDMI, Ethernet, SD card slot, headphone jack
Ethernet1 Gb/s1 Gb/s
External displaysUp to 2Up to 2
Wi-Fi802.11n802.11n
Bluetooth2.1 + EDR2.1 + EDR
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.One Mini DisplayPort, HDMI, four USB 2.0 ports up to 480 Mb/s, one FireWire 800 up to 800 Mb/s, SD card slot, Gigabit Ethernet with jumbo frames and separate digital/analogue audio input and output minijacks. The main DisplayPort count represents Mini DisplayPort; FireWire and line input are described here because the main port list has no fields for them.
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.Extended desktop and mirroring across Mini DisplayPort and HDMI; Mini DisplayPort up to 2560 × 1600, HDMI up to 1920 × 1200. HDMI to DVI adapter included; Mini DisplayPort VGA/DVI adapters optional.
SpeakersBuilt-in speaker; combined optical digital audio output/headphone minijack and optical digital audio input/line-in minijackDigital/analogue headphone output, multichannel audio over HDMI and support for an Apple iPhone headset with microphone
Keyboard and mouseDisplay, keyboard and mouse purchased separately; Apple Remote optionalDisplay, keyboard and mouse purchased separately; Apple Remote 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 model weighs 1.37 kg; server page gives 1.29 kg. Actual weight varies by configuration and manufacturing process; a shared weight is omitted.
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.Internal power supply; AC input 100–240 V, 50–60 Hz single phase; maximum continuous power 85 W
Noise–Consumer page's headline gives 14 dBA idle, while its model-specific table gives 13 dB for 2.4 GHz and 15 dB for 2.66 GHz at idle, 14/15 dB during hard-drive access and 20 dB during optical access on the 2.4 GHz model. The server page gives 15 dBA idle. No single value is selected across configurations.
MaterialsRecyclable aluminium and polycarbonate enclosure; BFR-free and PVC-free internal components; maker limits its external PVC-free cable claim to North AmericaRecyclable aluminium enclosure; BFR-free and PVC-free internal cables. Server page says external cables are PVC-free in North America only.
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, HDMI to DVI adapter, power cord, install/restore DVDs and documentation. Consumer includes Mac OS X Snow Leopard and iLife; server includes Snow Leopard Server with an unlimited-client licence.

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