Polycarbonate Intel Mac mini Q&A @ EveryMac.com
With the Polycarbonate Intel Mac mini Q&A, from EveryMac.com, you can get answers to all of your Intel-based Mac mini questions from "Is it possible to upgrade the processor in the Intel Mac mini models?" to "How do I connect an Intel Mac mini to a television?" and everything in between.
Please note that this Q&A covers the discontinued "Polycarbonate" Intel Mac mini models. For answers to questions about the Aluminum "Unibody" Mac mini, please refer to the Aluminum "Unibody" Mac mini Q&A.
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The answers to some of these questions may no longer be up-to-date. Please refer to the date published, updated, or revised.
Most Frequently Asked Intel Mac mini Q&As:
What are the differences between the "Late 2009" Mac mini "Core 2 Duo" configurations? What are the differences between these Mac mini models and the models replaced?
How do I connect an Intel Mac mini to a television?
How fast are the "Late 2009" Mac mini "Core 2 Duo" models compared to the Mac mini models replaced?
How do you upgrade the RAM in the Polycarbonate Intel Mac mini models? What type of RAM do they use? How much RAM do they actually support?
What are the "pros and cons" of the Intel Mac mini? Is it right for my needs?
Is the Intel Mac mini capable of H.264 HD playback?
How do you upgrade the hard drive in the Intel Mac mini models? What type of hard drive do they support? Is it possible to replace the optical drive with a second hard drive?
Is it possible to upgrade the processor in the Intel Mac mini models?
Is World of Warcraft (WoW) playable on the Intel Mac mini?
What is a good wireless keyboard with a trackpad to use with a Mac mini while sitting on the couch?
Software Compatibility Q&As:
What version of the MacOS is pre-installed on the Intel Mac mini models?
Can the Intel Mac mini run MacOS X applications written for the PowerPC processor?
Can the Intel Mac mini run MacOS 9/Classic applications?
Can the Intel Mac mini run Windows?
Can the Intel Mac mini run Linux?
Comparison Q&As:
What are the differences between the "Late 2009" Mac mini "Core 2 Duo" configurations? What are the differences between these Mac mini models and the models replaced?
What are the differences between the "Early 2009/NVIDIA" Mac mini "Core 2 Duo" configurations?
What are the differences between the "Early 2009/NVIDIA" Mac mini "Core 2 Duo" and the Mac mini models they replaced?
What are the differences between the "Mid-2007" Mac mini "Core 2 Duo" models? How do they compare to their predecessors?
What are the differences between the Intel-based Mac mini "Core Solo/Core Duo" and the PowerPC-based Mac mini?
What are the differences between the Mac mini "Core Solo/Core Duo" models?
How does the Mac mini "Core Solo/Core Duo" compare to a similar Windows PC?
How does the "Mid-2007" Mac mini "Core 2 Duo" compare to the Dell Studio Hybrid and Asus Eee Box?
Performance & Function Q&As:
How fast are the "Late 2009" Mac mini "Core 2 Duo" models compared to the Mac mini models replaced?
How fast is the "Early 2009/NVIDIA" Mac mini "Core 2 Duo" compared to earlier Mac mini models?
How fast are the "Mid-2007" Mac mini "Core 2 Duo" models compared to the systems each replaced?
How fast is the Mac mini "Core Solo/Core Duo" compared to the Mac mini G4?
What is the performance difference of the Intel Mac mini models using matched or unmatched RAM?
Does the Intel Mac mini have a ROM or BIOS?
Can Intel Mac mini systems be stacked on top of one another?
Is there any way to mount the Intel Mac mini on the bottom of a shelf in an entertainment cabinet? Could doing so harm the system?
Can the Intel Mac mini be installed in a car?
Graphics & Video Q&As:
What type of video system is provided by the Intel Mac mini models?
What does "integrated graphics" mean?
Why are "integrated graphics" in the Intel Mac mini considered to be inferior?
Is the video on the Intel Mac mini upgradable?
What is the largest display the Intel Mac mini models will support? Do they support dual displays?
Can I place a monitor on top of the Intel Mac mini?
Is the Intel Mac mini capable of H.264 HD playback?
Is World of Warcraft (WoW) playable on the Intel Mac mini?
Will games that say an ATI Radeon or NVIDIA GeForce graphics card is required run on the Intel Mac mini systems?
How do I connect an Intel Mac mini to a television?
Are there any adapters or "hacks" that make it possible to use a second display on an Intel Mac mini?
How can I get all my shows and movies to stream from an iMac to an Intel Mac mini through Front Row?
What is HDMI?
Expansion Q&As:
Does the Intel Mac mini have a PCI slot?
How do you upgrade the RAM in the Polycarbonate Intel Mac mini models? What type of RAM do they use? How much RAM do they actually support?
What is the performance difference of the Intel Mac mini models using matched or unmatched RAM?
How do you upgrade the hard drive in the Intel Mac mini models? What type of hard drive do they support? Is it possible to replace the optical drive with a second hard drive?
Is it possible to upgrade the processor in the Intel Mac mini models?
What are the capabilities of the optical drive provided by the Intel Mac mini models? Which can read and write dual-layer DVDs?
Storage, Peripherals, & File Transfer Q&As:
How can I transfer files from my old Mac to my Intel Mac mini?
What external storage is available for the Intel Mac mini models?
What ports are provided by the Intel Mac mini models?
What type of keyboards and mice does the Intel Mac mini support?
What is a good wireless keyboard with a trackpad to use with a Mac mini while sitting on the couch?
What printers and scanners are compatible with the Intel Mac mini?
Networking & Communication Q&As:
How do I network the Intel Mac mini to another Mac?
What is AirPort? What is AirPort Extreme?
Does the Intel Mac mini support 802.11a? 802.11n?
What is the difference between 802.11a and 802.11g (AirPort Extreme)?
What is 802.11n? How is it different from 802.11b, 802.11g, and 802.11a?
Does the Intel Mac mini come with a modem?
Design, Configuration, & Purchasing Q&As:
Who designed the Intel Mac mini?
Why isn't the Intel Mac mini cheaper? Weren't Intel Macs supposed to cost less?
Where can I buy an Intel Mac mini?
What are the default configurations?
Are custom configurations available?
What are the "pros and cons" of the Intel Mac mini? Is one right for my needs?
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