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Aluminum "Unibody" Mac mini Q&A
Update Published November 20, 2018
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What are all the differences between the "Late 2014" Aluminum Mac mini models and the "Late 2012" models replaced?
Please note that the "Late 2012" and "Late 2014" Mac mini models have been discontinued. However, this Q&A is up-to-date and can be quite helpful for anyone buying or selling one of these systems on the used market.
With a look at the front of a "Late 2012" Mac mini -- the Mac mini "Core i5" 2.5, "Core i7" 2.3, "Core i7" 2.6, "Core i7" 2.3 (Server), and "Core i7" 2.6 (Server) -- and a "Late 2014" Mac mini -- the Mac mini "Core i5" 1.4, "Core i5" 2.6, "Core i5" 2.8, and "Core i7" 3.0 -- one definitely would not be able to determine the differences.
However, an astute student merely observing the system listings above would notice that Apple phased out the "Server" options with the "Late 2012" line. The company continued to sell OS X Server software, but it no longer was available pre-installed and configured on a Mac mini or any other Mac.
Even among the non-Server options from both lines, there are notable external differences and critical internal differences that are important to understand. There are important identification differences, too.
Photo Credit: Apple, Inc. (Front - Late 2012 and Late 2014 Mac mini)
External Differences
Although the "Late 2012" and "Late 2014" models look the same from the front, and have the same general compact "cuboid" aluminum case design -- 7.7 inches across and deep and 1.4 inches tall -- they actually are quite different.
The "Late 2012" Mac mini models have a "spin off" black plastic base that makes it quick and easy to upgrade the RAM whereas the "Late 2014" models have a sealed design with a black plastic cap that conceals a metal panel held in place with tamper proof screws to discourage access altogether. The "Late 2014" RAM is internally soldered in place, too.
Connectivity Differences
Although there are some similarities, there are significant connectivity differences between the "Late 2012" and "Late 2014" Mac mini models.
Both lines have Bluetooth 4.0, four USB 3.0 ports, a single "audio line in (digital/analog)" minijack, a single "audio line out/headphone (digital/analog)" minijack, a 10/100/1000Base-T Gigabit Ethernet port, an SDXC-capable SD card slot, and IR support for a remote.
All other connectivity is different, though. The "Late 2012" models have 802.11a/b/g/n Wi-Fi, a single Firewire "800" port, an HDMI port, and a Thunderbolt port. The "Late 2014" models, on the other hand, have 802.11ac Wi-Fi (which is backwards compatible with 802.11a/b/g/n), no Firewire port, a more advanced HDMI port that is compatible with the HDMI 1.4 standard (and supports a 4K display at 30 Hz as a result), and dual Thunderbolt 2 ports (which are backwards compatible with the original Thunderbolt standard).
Identification Differences
Externally, both the "Late 2012" and "Late 2014" Mac mini lines share the same A1347 Model Number, as do other earlier Aluminum Mac mini models, so this identifier is not unique enough for proper identification.
However, these lines can be identified externally by EMC Number and in software by Model Identifier. Consequently, as always, EveryMac.com has diligently hand documented these identifiers for your convenience.
Specifically, the relevant EMC numbers are 2570 for the "Late 2012" models and 2840 for the "Late 2014" models. The EMC number is visible for the "Late 2012" line upon removing the bottom "spin off" panel to the right of the memory slots (with the ports pointing toward you) and is listed on the outside of the system toward the ports for the "Late 2014" line.
In software, the entry-level Core i5-powered "Late 2012" configuration can be identified by the Macmini6,1 Model Identifier whereas the all of the "Late 2012" Core i7-powered configurations can be identified by the shared Macmini6,2 Model Identifier. All of the "Late 2014" models, regardless of processor, can be identified by the shared Macmini7,1 Model Identifier.
EveryMac.com's Ultimate Mac Lookup feature additionally can uniquely identify these models by their Serial Numbers.
Internal Differences
With different processors, architectures, graphics, memory, and storage, the "Late 2012" and "Late 2014" Mac mini models have little in common internally.
The "Late 2012" models have "Ivy Bridge" processors (including models with Quad Cores for significantly faster performance than their successors), integrated Intel HD Graphics 4000 graphics processors, easy-to-upgrade memory (1600 MHz PC3-12800 DDR3L SO-DIMMs), and support for dual 2.5" 6 Gb/s Serial ATA (3.0) hard drives or SSDs.
By contrast, the "Late 2014" models have newer "Haswell" processors (albeit all only with two cores), integrated Intel HD Graphics 5000 or Iris 5100 graphics (both of which are faster than the Intel HD Graphics 4000 in their predecessors), soldered RAM that cannot be upgraded after system purchase at all, and support for dual storage drives, but via one Serial ATA (6 Gb/s) connector for a 2.5" hard drive or SSD and a proprietary PCIe connector for a "blade" SSD.
Both lines could be configured with a "Hybrid Drive" -- which combines a traditional hard drive and an SSD together to offer the capacity of a hard drive with performance closer to an SSD -- but it became a default on the "Late 2014" Mac mini "Core i5" 2.8 for the first time in a Mac mini model.
Comparison Charts
The specific differences between processors, architectures, configurations, connectivity, upgrades, identifiers, and prices for the standard non-Server "Late 2012" and all standard "Late 2014" models are summarized below:
 "Late 2012" Mac mini |
"Late 2014" Mac mini |
|
|---|---|---|
| Processors: | 2.5 GHz Core i5 (3210M) 2.3 GHz Core i7 (3615QM)* |
1.4 GHz Core i5 (4260U) 2.6 GHz Core i5 (4278U)** 2.8 GHz Core i5 (4308U)** |
| Processor Cores: | 2 or 4 | 2 |
| Std. RAM: | 4 GB | 4 GB, 8 GB |
| Max. RAM: | 16 GB | 16 GB† |
| RAM Type: | 1600 MHz DDR3L | Soldered† |
| RAM Upgrades: | Yes (Easy) | No (Soldered†) |
| Std. Storage: | 500 GB, 1 TB | 500 GB, 1 TB, 1 TB (Fusion) |
| Storage Type: | Hard Drive | Hard Drive/Fusion |
| Storage Upgrades: | 2.5" (2) | 2.5" (1), 1 (Blade) |
| Graphics Processor: | HD Graphics 4000 | HD Graphics 5000 Iris 5100 |
| Wi-Fi: | 802.11a/b/g/n | 802.11ac |
| Firewire: | 800 (1) | None |
| Thunderbolt: | 1.0 (1) | 2.0 (2) |
| HDMI: | 1.3 (1) | 1.4 (1) |
| Order Number: | MD387LL/A MD388LL/A |
MGEM2LL/A MGEN2LL/A MGEQ2LL/A |
| EMC Number: | 2570 | 2840 |
| Model Identifier: | Macmini6,1 Macmini6,2 |
Macmini7,1 |
| Intro Price (US): | US$599, US$799 | US$499, US$699, US$999 |
| Intro Price (UK): | £529, £679 | £399, £569, £799 |
| Intro Price (CA): | C$599, C$799 | C$549, C$749, C$1079 |
| Intro Price (AU): | A$699, A$899 | A$619, A$869, A$1249 |
* This "Late 2012" model also was available via custom configuration with a 2.6 GHz "Core i7" (I7-3720QM) processor for an extra US$100. Likewise, EveryMac.com has documented this custom configuration as its own model, too.
** These "Late 2014" models also was available via custom configuration with a dual core 3.0 GHz "Core i7" (I7-4578U) processor at extra cost. EveryMac.com additionally has documented this custom configuration as its own model, as well.
† The RAM in all of "Late 2014" models could be upgraded to as much as 16 GB of RAM at the time of system purchase. It is soldered onboard and cannot be upgraded after purchase.
For pricing information in dozens of other countries, refer to EveryMac.com's Global Original Prices section.
Comparison Summary
Compared to the "Late 2012" Mac mini models, the "Late 2014" line very much represents a "one step forward, one step back" kind of progress.
The "Late 2014" models have more advanced processors and much faster graphics, as well as Thunderbolt 2 capability, improved HDMI support, faster Wi-Fi, and a lower introductory price. However, they also are much slower than the "Late 2012" line in multicore tasks overall, no longer have Firewire support, no longer have RAM that can be upgraded, and no longer support two 2.5" storage drives, either.
Which line is best for you depends on your specific priorities, and for those whose interests align with the advantages of the "Late 2014" Mac mini, one could be perfect, but certainly the "Late 2012" Mac mini models remain well worth consideration, as well.
New & Used Mac mini Purchase Options
There are an abundance of places to buy a used or new Mac mini. However, purchasing from a quality business with an extensive track record in the Mac market will provide the best experience and save you money and time, too.
In the US, site sponsor Adorama sells new Mac mini models with free shipping. Other World Computing sells used and refurb Mac mini models at bargain prices with free shipping, as well. Finally, if you need to sell a Mac mini, A+ BBB-rated Cash for Your Mac will buy your older Mac mini with an instant quote and prompt payment.
In the UK, site sponsor Hoxton Macs sells used Mac mini models with a one-year warranty and free next day delivery throughout the UK. Delivery across Europe also is available starting at just £9.99 for two-day delivery to France and Germany.
In Australia, site sponsor Mac City likewise may have used Mac mini models available at low prices and with a free warranty and fast shipping across Australia.
Please refer to EveryMac.com's Ultimate Mac Comparison feature to dynamically compare any Mac mini model to any other Mac.
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