Apple · Mac mini

Mac mini (Mid 2010)

Released June 2010

A compact Core 2 Duo desktop with HDMI, Mini DisplayPort and accessible memory, offered with an optical drive or two-drive server configuration.

Model history · 7 models, 2005–2010

Type: Compact
Processor: Intel Core 2
Memory: 2 GB – 8 GB
Storage: 320 GB – 1 TB
Screen: –
Weight: –

Compact

What reviewers say

Reviewers praised the compact aluminium construction, quiet operation and easier memory upgrades. Macworld valued HDMI and the improved graphics but found the standard hard drive slow and the rear SD slot awkward. Engadget criticised the high price and lack of Blu-ray. TechRadar found the server easy to manage and its unlimited-client licence useful for small offices.

From macworld.com, engadget.com and techradar.com

Specifications

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Performance

Processor: Intel Core 2 Duo P8600 or Intel Core 2 Duo P8800
CPU cores: 2
Graphics: NVIDIA GeForce 320M (shared memory)
Memory: 2 GB, 4 GB or 8 GB
Storage: 320 GB to 1 TB
CPU: 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.
GPU: NVIDIA GeForce 320M integrated graphics with at least 256 MB DDR3 memory shared with main memory
Memory type: Two 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 type: 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 slots: No internal PCI Express expansion slots; bottom cover permits memory access

Display

Screen: None built in

Connections

Ports: DisplayPort, 4 × USB-A, HDMI, Ethernet, SD card slot, headphone jack
Ethernet: 1 Gb/s
External displays: Up to 2
Wi-Fi: 802.11n
Bluetooth: 2.1 + EDR
Back ports: 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 displays: 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.
Speakers: Digital/analogue headphone output, multichannel audio over HDMI and support for an Apple iPhone headset with microphone
Keyboard and mouse: Display, keyboard and mouse purchased separately; Apple Remote optional

Design and power

Type: Compact
Width × depth × height: 197 × 197 × 36 mm
Operating system: macOS
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 supply: 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.
Materials: Recyclable aluminium enclosure; BFR-free and PVC-free internal cables. Server page says external cables are PVC-free in North America only.
In the box: 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.

Configurations

Processor	Memory	Storage	Storage type	Graphics
Intel Core 2 Duo P8600	2 GB	320 GB	Hard drive	NVIDIA GeForce 320M (shared memory)
Intel Core 2 Duo P8600	2 GB	500 GB	Hard drive	NVIDIA GeForce 320M (shared memory)
Intel Core 2 Duo P8600	4 GB	320 GB	Hard drive	NVIDIA GeForce 320M (shared memory)
Intel Core 2 Duo P8600	4 GB	500 GB	Hard drive	NVIDIA GeForce 320M (shared memory)
Intel Core 2 Duo P8600	8 GB	320 GB	Hard drive	NVIDIA GeForce 320M (shared memory)
Intel Core 2 Duo P8600	8 GB	500 GB	Hard drive	NVIDIA GeForce 320M (shared memory)
Intel Core 2 Duo P8800	2 GB	320 GB	Hard drive	NVIDIA GeForce 320M (shared memory)
Intel Core 2 Duo P8800	2 GB	500 GB	Hard drive	NVIDIA GeForce 320M (shared memory)
Intel Core 2 Duo P8800	4 GB	320 GB	Hard drive	NVIDIA GeForce 320M (shared memory)
Intel Core 2 Duo P8800	4 GB	500 GB	Hard drive	NVIDIA GeForce 320M (shared memory)
Intel Core 2 Duo P8800	8 GB	320 GB	Hard drive	NVIDIA GeForce 320M (shared memory)
Intel Core 2 Duo P8800	8 GB	500 GB	Hard drive	NVIDIA GeForce 320M (shared memory)
Intel Core 2 Duo P8800	4 GB	1 TB	Hard drive	NVIDIA GeForce 320M (shared memory)
Intel Core 2 Duo P8800	8 GB	1 TB	Hard drive	NVIDIA GeForce 320M (shared memory)

Pros and cons

Pros

HDMI and Mini DisplayPort support two displays
Memory can be replaced through the removable bottom cover
Internal power supply removes the external power brick

Cons

USB ports are limited to USB 2.0
No Thunderbolt port
Server configuration has no built-in optical drive

Closest rivals

Model	Type	Processor	Memory	Storage	Screen	Weight	Released
AppleMac mini (Mid 2011)	Compact	Intel Core i5 or i7	2 GB – 8 GB	256 GB – 1.5 TB	–	–	Jul 2011
AppleMac mini (Early 2009)	Compact	Intel Core 2	1 GB – 4 GB	120 GB – 320 GB	–	1.31 kg	Mar 2009
AppleMac mini (Late 2009)	Compact	Intel Core 2	2 GB – 4 GB	160 GB – 1 TB	–	1.31 kg	Oct 2009

Previous model: Mac mini (Late 2009). Newer model: Mac mini (Mid 2011).

Sources

Photo: cdsassets.apple.com

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