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Intel Mac mini Q&A - Revised August 10, 2007
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What are the differences between the Intel-based Mac mini "Core Solo/Core Duo" and the PowerPC-based Mac mini?
Please note that all systems mentioned in this Q&A have been discontinued. The Mac mini "Core Solo/Core Duo" models were replaced by the "Mid-2007" Mac mini "Core 2 Duo" line on August 7, 2007.
Upon first glance, the Intel-based Mac mini "Core Solo/Core Duo" models -- the Mac mini "Core Solo" 1.5, Mac mini "Core Duo" 1.66, and Mac mini "Core Duo" 1.83 -- look identical to the replaced PowerPC-based models -- the Mac mini G4/1.25 and Mac mini G4/1.42 -- as all use the same 6.5 inch by 6.5 inch by two inch enclosure and weigh 2.9 pounds.
Differences become more apparent with an evaluation of the ports. Both systems have DVI out (which also supports VGA with an included DVI-to-VGA adapter), a Firewire "400" port, and a security port.
However, the Mac mini G4 models have two USB 2.0 ports, a headphone/audio out jack, a 10/100Base-T Ethernet port, a 56k modem port, and optional AirPort Extreme (802.11g) and Bluetooth. AirPort Extreme and Bluetooth were standard starting July 26, 2005 with the Mac mini G4/1.42.
The Mac mini "Core Solo/Core Duo" models, on the other hand, have four USB 2.0 ports, combined "optical digital audio input/audio line in" and combined "optical digital audio output/headphone" minijacks, a 10/100/1000Base-T Gigabit Ethernet port, and built-in AirPort Extreme (802.11g) and Bluetooth 2.0+EDR. The Intel-based Mac mini models lack an internal 56k modem, but an external Apple USB Modem could be purchased for US$49.
Review the technical specifications, and the differences between the PowerPC-based Mac mini G4 models and the Intel-based Mac mini "Core Solo/Core Duo" models are even more noticeable. The Mac mini "Core Solo/Core Duo" models use either an Intel "Core Solo" or "Core Duo" processor with 2 MB of "on chip" level 2 cache and a 667 MHz frontside bus, compared to the Mac mini G4 models that use PowerPC 7447a (G4) processors with 512k "on chip" level 2 caches and 167 MHz system buses. Apple advertised that the Mac mini "Core Solo/Core Duo" models were "up to four times as fast as the previous Mac mini" using industry standard benchmarks, but these benchmarks often do not translate into "real world" performance gains.
The Mac mini "Core Solo/Core Duo" models also use faster PC2-5300 (667MHz) DDR2 memory, compared to PC2700 (333MHz) DDR SRAM for the Mac mini G4, and notably have two RAM expansion slots instead of one for a maximum RAM capacity of 2 GB.
To the dismay of some, the Intel-based Mac mini "Core Solo/Core Duo" models use "integrated graphics", specifically an "Intel GMA950 graphics processor with 64 MB of DDR2 SDRAM shared with main memory". This compares to an ATI Radeon 9200 graphics processor (4X AGP) with 32 MB or 64 MB of DDR SDRAM in the Mac mini G4 models.
Although the PowerPC-based and Intel-based models have similar configurations, the Intel-based "Core Solo/Core Duo" models shipped with larger and faster 5400 RPM Serial ATA hard drives, and an Apple Remote for use with Apple Front Row media organization software. The first configuration of the Mac mini "Core Duo" 1.66 (MA206LL/A) and the Mac mini "Core Duo" 1.83 also have "SuperDrives" capable of writing to dual-layer DVDs.
Ultimately, the Intel-based Mac mini "Core Solo/Core Duo" models offered the possibility of greater performance, twice the RAM expansion, greater connectivity options (including digital audio out which is fantastic for use with a home theater receiver), and the slick convenience of an included remote. However, depending on intended use, the "integrated graphics", lack of an internal modem, and lack of support for "Classic" applications may be drawbacks. The Mac mini "Core Solo/Core Duo" models also were introduced for US$100 more than the Mac mini G4 models that they replaced.
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Please refer to the Ultimate Mac Comparison feature to dynamically compare any Mac mini model to any other G3 or later Mac.
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