Request a product
Apple Mac mini (Early 2009)

Apple · Mac mini

Mac mini (Early 2009)

Released March 2009

A compact Core 2 Duo desktop with integrated NVIDIA graphics, two display outputs and a built-in DVD drive.

Model history · 5 models, 2005–2009
  1. 2005Mac mini (2005)Compare
  2. 2006Mac mini (Early 2006)Compare
  3. 2006Mac mini (Late 2006)Compare
  4. 2007Mac mini (Mid 2007)Compare
  5. 2009Mac mini (Early 2009)
Type
Compact
Processor
Intel Core 2
Memory
1 GB – 4 GB
Storage
120 GB – 320 GB
Screen
–
Weight
1.31 kg

What reviewers say

Reviewers valued the small enclosure, improved graphics and wider range of connections. They found it capable for ordinary office and media tasks, while considering 1 GB of memory inadequate and the cost of upgrades significant. The Register preferred the cheaper model with a memory upgrade. Gizmodo criticised the lack of HDMI and difficult internal upgrades.

From computerworld.com, theregister.com and gizmodo.com

Specifications

Report a wrong or missing spec

Performance

Processor
Intel Core 2 Duo P7350 or Intel Core 2 Duo P8400
CPU cores
2
Graphics
NVIDIA GeForce 9400M (shared memory)
Memory
1 GB, 2 GB or 4 GB
Storage
120 GB to 320 GB
CPU
2.0 GHz dual-core Core 2 Duo P7350, configurable to 2.26 GHz P8400; 3 MB shared L2 cache and 1066 MHz frontside bus. Exact identities are cross-checked with EveryMac; optional unpublished chip thread and launch figures are omitted.
GPU
NVIDIA GeForce 9400M integrated graphics shares at least 128 MB DDR3 memory with a 1 GB system configuration, or at least 256 MB with 2 GB; available system memory varies with graphics use.
Memory type
Two SO-DIMM slots for 1066 MHz DDR3 SDRAM, with 1 or 2 GB standard and maker factory upgrades up to 4 GB
Storage type
120, 250 or 320 GB 5400 rpm Serial ATA hard drive and slot-loading 8x SuperDrive with double-layer DVD support. The launch press release also mentions an 80 GB order option, which the current support sheet omits; that conflicting option is not listed in configurations.
Expansion slots
No internal PCI Express expansion slot

Display

Screen
None built in

Connections

Ports
DisplayPort, 5 × USB-A, Ethernet, headphone jack
Ethernet
1 Gb/s
External displays
Up to 2
Wi-Fi
802.11n
Bluetooth
2.1 + EDR
Back ports
Five 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. Optional external Apple USB Modem.
External displays
Extended 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; VGA and Mini DisplayPort adapters optional.
Speakers
Built-in speaker; combined optical digital audio output/headphone minijack and optical digital audio input/line-in minijack
Keyboard and mouse
Display, keyboard and mouse purchased separately; Apple Remote optional

Design and power

Type
Compact
Weight
1.31 kg
Width × depth × height
165.1 × 165.1 × 50.8 mm
Operating system
macOS
Power supply
External 110 W adapter; AC input 100–240 V, 50–60 Hz single phase; maximum continuous power 110 W
Materials
Recyclable aluminium and polycarbonate enclosure; BFR-free and PVC-free internal cables
In the box
Mac mini, Mini-DVI to DVI adapter, 110 W power adapter and cord, install/restore DVDs and documentation. Mac OS X Leopard and iLife '09 included.

Configurations

ProcessorMemoryStorageStorage typeGraphics
Intel Core 2 Duo P73501 GB120 GBHard driveNVIDIA GeForce 9400M (shared memory)
Intel Core 2 Duo P73501 GB250 GBHard driveNVIDIA GeForce 9400M (shared memory)
Intel Core 2 Duo P73501 GB320 GBHard driveNVIDIA GeForce 9400M (shared memory)
Intel Core 2 Duo P73502 GB120 GBHard driveNVIDIA GeForce 9400M (shared memory)
Intel Core 2 Duo P73502 GB250 GBHard driveNVIDIA GeForce 9400M (shared memory)
Intel Core 2 Duo P73502 GB320 GBHard driveNVIDIA GeForce 9400M (shared memory)
Intel Core 2 Duo P73504 GB120 GBHard driveNVIDIA GeForce 9400M (shared memory)
Intel Core 2 Duo P73504 GB250 GBHard driveNVIDIA GeForce 9400M (shared memory)
Intel Core 2 Duo P73504 GB320 GBHard driveNVIDIA GeForce 9400M (shared memory)
Intel Core 2 Duo P84001 GB120 GBHard driveNVIDIA GeForce 9400M (shared memory)
Intel Core 2 Duo P84001 GB250 GBHard driveNVIDIA GeForce 9400M (shared memory)
Intel Core 2 Duo P84001 GB320 GBHard driveNVIDIA GeForce 9400M (shared memory)
Intel Core 2 Duo P84002 GB120 GBHard driveNVIDIA GeForce 9400M (shared memory)
Intel Core 2 Duo P84002 GB250 GBHard driveNVIDIA GeForce 9400M (shared memory)
Intel Core 2 Duo P84002 GB320 GBHard driveNVIDIA GeForce 9400M (shared memory)
Intel Core 2 Duo P84004 GB120 GBHard driveNVIDIA GeForce 9400M (shared memory)
Intel Core 2 Duo P84004 GB250 GBHard driveNVIDIA GeForce 9400M (shared memory)
Intel Core 2 Duo P84004 GB320 GBHard driveNVIDIA GeForce 9400M (shared memory)

Pros and cons

Pros

  • Mini DisplayPort and Mini-DVI support two displays
  • Five USB ports and FireWire 800
  • Built-in SuperDrive for reading and writing discs

Cons

  • No HDMI or Thunderbolt port
  • Hard drives are limited to 5400 rpm factory options
  • Display, keyboard and mouse are purchased separately

Closest rivals

Model
TypeProcessorMemoryStorageScreenWeightReleased
AppleMac mini (Late 2009)
CompactIntel Core 22 GB – 4 GB160 GB – 1 TB–1.31 kgOct 2009
AppleMac mini (Mid 2010)
CompactIntel Core 22 GB – 8 GB320 GB – 1 TB––Jun 2010
AppleiMac (20-inch, Mid 2009)
All-in-oneIntel Core 21 GB – 4 GB160 GB – 320 GB20″9.1 kgApr 2009

Previous model: Mac mini (Mid 2007). Newer model: Mac mini (Late 2009).

Sources

  1. support.apple.com/en-gb/111345
  2. apple.com/uk/newsroom/2009/03/03Apple-Updates-Consumer-Desktop-Line
  3. everymac.com/systems/apple/mac_mini/specs/mac-mini-core-2-duo-2.0-early-2009-nv…
  4. everymac.com/systems/apple/mac_mini/specs/mac-mini-core-2-duo-2.26-early-2009-n…

Photo: cdsassets.apple.com

Spot a mistake? Tell us