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Apple Mac mini (M6 or M5 Pro) 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 (M6 or M5 Pro)AppleMac mini (Mid 2011)
Overview
ReleasedSeptember 2026July 2011
Performance
ProcessorApple M6 or Apple M5 ProIntel Core i5-2415M, Intel Core i5-2520M, Intel Core i7-2620M or Intel Core i7-2635QM
CPU cores12, 15 or 182 or 4
CPU threads–4 or 8
Graphics12-core GPU, 16-core GPU or 20-core GPUIntel HD Graphics 3000 or AMD Radeon HD 6630M (256 MB GDDR5)
Memory16 GB, 24 GB, 32 GB, 48 GB or 64 GB2 GB, 4 GB or 8 GB
Storage256 GB to 8 TB256 GB to 1.5 TB
CPUM6: 12-core CPU with 2 super cores, 4 performance cores and 6 efficiency cores; M5 Pro: 15-core CPU with 5 super cores and 10 performance cores, or 18-core CPU with 6 super cores and 12 performance coresConsumer 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.
GPUNeural Accelerators; hardware-accelerated ray tracingThe 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 type–1333 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.
AI engineDual 16-core Neural Engine (M6); 16-core Neural Engine (M5 Pro)–
Memory bandwidthM6: 153GB/s with 16GB, 170GB/s with 24GB or 32GB; M5 Pro: 307GB/s–
Storage typeSSDThe 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.
Media engineHardware-accelerated H.264, HEVC, ProRes and ProRes RAW; video decode engine; video encode engine; ProRes encode and decode engine; AV1 decode–
Display
ScreenNone built inNone built in
Connections
Ports3 × Thunderbolt 4, 2 × USB-C, HDMI, Ethernet, headphone jackThunderbolt, 4 × USB-A, HDMI, Ethernet, SD card slot, headphone jack
Ethernet2.5 Gb/s1 Gb/s
External displaysUp to 3Up to 2
Wi-FiWi-Fi 7802.11n
Bluetooth64.0
Front ports2 × USB-C with USB 3 (up to 10Gb/s); 3.5 mm headphone jack with advanced support for high-impedance headphones–
Back portsM6: 3 × Thunderbolt 4 (USB-C) with Thunderbolt 4 and USB 4 (up to 40Gb/s) and DisplayPort; M5 Pro: 3 × Thunderbolt 5 (USB-C) with Thunderbolt 5 (up to 120Gb/s), USB 4 (up to 40Gb/s) and DisplayPort; HDMI with multichannel audio output; 2.5Gb Ethernet (RJ-45), configurable to 10Gb EthernetThunderbolt 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 displaysM6: up to three (two at up to 6K 60Hz or 4K 165Hz, plus a third at up to 5K 60Hz over Thunderbolt or 4K 60Hz over HDMI), or two (one at up to 8K 60Hz, 5K 120Hz or 4K 240Hz, plus one at up to 5K 60Hz over Thunderbolt or 4K 60Hz over HDMI); M5 Pro: up to three at up to 6K 60Hz or 4K 165Hz, or two (one at up to 8K 60Hz, 5K 120Hz or 4K 240Hz, plus one at up to 5K 120Hz or 4K 200Hz); VRR and HDR supportedMaker 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 mouse–Display, keyboard and mouse are purchased separately; Apple Remote and external SuperDrive optional
MicrophonesNone built in; Apple says an external microphone or headset is needed for calls–
Design and power
TypeCompactCompact
Weight0.67 kg–
Width × depth × height127 × 127 × 50 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 supplyBuilt-in; 100–240V AC; 155W maximum continuous powerInternal supply; AC input 100–240 V, 50–60 Hz single phase; maximum continuous power 85 W
Power useM6 with 16GB and 256GB: 4W idle, 70W maximum; M5 Pro with 64GB and 8TB: 6W idle, 145W maximum–
Noise5 dBA sound pressure at idle (operator position); declared to ECMA-109 as 1.3 B sound power and 4 dB sound pressure at idle and wireless web (M5 Pro, 18-core CPU, 20-core GPU)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.
Materials100% recycled aluminium enclosure; 50% recycled content overallRecyclable aluminium enclosure; BFR-free. PVC-free except China mainland, Korea and South Africa, where only internal cables are PVC-free.
ColoursSilver–
In the boxMac mini, power lead (1.8 m)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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