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Aluminum "Unibody" Mac mini Q&A
Update Published December 14, 2020
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What are all the differences between the "Late 2018" Aluminum Mac mini models and the "Late 2014" models replaced?
On November 10, 2020, Apple discontinued the entry-level Mac mini "Core i3" 3.6 (Late 2018), but continues to sell the higher-end Mac mini "Core i5" 3.0 (Late 2018) and configure-to-order Mac mini "Core i7" 3.2 (Late 2018). This EveryMac.com Q&A has been updated accordingly.
With even a quick glance at a silver-colored "Late 2014" Mac mini -- the Mac mini "Core i5" 1.4, "Core i5" 2.6, "Core i5" 2.8, and "Core i7" 3.0 -- and a dark Space Gray-colored "Late 2018" Mac mini -- the Mac mini "Core i3" 3.6, "Core i5" 3.0, and "Core i7" 3.2 -- they are easy to distinguish from one another.
Photo Credit: Apple, Inc. (Mac mini: Late 2014, Left; Late 2018, Right)
Although the color contrast presents a telling difference, there are many other differences that are not obvious and that are much more important.
External Differences
The "Late 2014" and "Late 2018" models both use the same general compact "cuboid" aluminum case design -- 7.7 inches across and deep and 1.4 inches tall, but this practically is where the similarities end.
On the underside, both the "Late 2014" and "Late 2018" Mac mini models can be opened, and both have a black plastic cap that conceals a metal panel, but each supports different upgrades. Specifically, the "Late 2014" Mac mini has soldered RAM, but upgradable storage whereas the "Late 2018" Mac mini has upgradable RAM, but soldered storage.
Connectivity Differences
With a four-year gap between these models, it would be expected that the "Late 2018" Mac mini would have more advanced connectivity than the "Late 2014" series it replaced. For the most part, the newer model fulfills these expectations.
Both lines have 802.11ac Wi-Fi and a Gigabit Ethernet port, but otherwise have little in common. The "Late 2018" models also can be configured with faster NbaseT/10 Gigabit Ethernet at the time of system purchase, whereas the earlier models cannot.
The "Late 2014" Mac mini also has four USB 3.0 ports, two Thunderbolt 2 ports, an HDMI 1.4 port, a single "audio line in (digital/analog)" minijack, a single "audio line out/headphone (digital/analog)" minijack, Bluetooth 4.0, IR for a remote, and an SDXC card slot.
The "Late 2018" Mac mini models, on the other hand, have two USB 3.1 ports, four Thunderbolt 3 (USB-C) ports, an HDMI 2.0 port, a 3.5 mm headphone jack, and Bluetooth 5.0. They do not have IR support for a remote or an SD card slot, though.
Identification Differences
Just compared to one another, the "Late 2014" and "Late 2018" Mac mini models can be differentiated by color and by the A1347 and A1993 Model Number, respectively. However, some earlier Mac mini models also share the A1347 Model Number and it is highly likely that later models will share A1993, too. Accordingly, Model Number is not ideal for long-term identification.
However, both lines can be uniquely identified externally by EMC Number and in software by Model Identifier. Accordingly, as always, EveryMac.com has diligently hand documented these identifiers for your convenience.
Specifically, the relevant EMC numbers are 2840 for the "Late 2014" models and 3213 for the "Late 2018" models. The EMC number is listed on the bottom of both systems toward the ports.
In software, the "Late 2014" models and "Late 2018" models can be identified by the Macmini7,1 and Macmini8,1 Model Identifier, respectively.
EveryMac.com's Ultimate Mac Lookup feature additionally can uniquely identify these models by their Serial Numbers.
Internal Differences
Just like their connectivity, the "Late 2014" and "Late 2018" Mac mini models have little in common internally. Each line has different processors, architectures, graphics, memory, and storage.
The "Late 2014" models have dual core, fourth generation "Haswell" processors, integrated Intel HD Graphics 5000 or Iris 5100 graphics, 1600 MHz LPDDR3 SDRAM soldered in place that cannot be upgraded after system purchase, and support for dual storage drives (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).
The "Late 2018" models, on the other hand, have four or six core, eighth generation "Coffee Lake" processors, still integrated (but faster) Intel UHD Graphics 630, and two upgradable 2666 MHz PC4-21300 DDR4 SO-DIMM slots that support up to 64 GB of memory, but soldered PCIe-based SSD storage that cannot be upgraded after system purchase.
Comparison Charts
The specific differences between processors, architectures, configurations, connectivity, upgrades, identifiers, and prices for the standard "Late 2014" and "Late 2018" Mac mini models are summarized below:
 "Late 2014" Mac mini |
 "Late 2018" Mac mini |
|
|---|---|---|
| Std. Processors: | 1.4 GHz Core i5 (4260U) 2.6 GHz Core i5 (4278U) 2.8 GHz Core i5 (4308U) |
3.6 GHz Core i3 (8100B) 3.0 GHz Core i5 (8500B) |
| Processor Cores: | 2 | 4, 6 |
| Architecture: | Haswell | Coffee Lake |
| Std. RAM: | 4 GB, 8 GB | 8 GB |
| Max. RAM: | 16 GB† | 64 GB† |
| RAM Type: | LPDDR3† | PC4-21300 DDR4† |
| RAM Upgrades: | No (Soldered†) | Yes (Easy) |
| Std. Storage: | 500 GB, 1 TB | 128 GB, 256 GB |
| Storage Type: | Hard Drive/Fusion | SSD (Onboard) |
| Storage Upgrades: | 2.5" (1), 1 (Blade)* | No (Soldered)* |
| Graphics Processor: | HD Graphics 5000 Iris 5100 |
Intel UHD Graphics 630 |
| Security Chip: | None | T2 |
| Wi-Fi: | 802.11ac | 802.11ac |
| Bluetooth: | 4.0 | 5.0 |
| USB: | 3.0 (4) | 3.1 (2) |
| Thunderbolt: | 2.0 (2) | 3.0 (4) |
| HDMI: | 1.4 (1) | 2.0 (1) |
| Remote: | Yes (IR) | No |
| SD Card: | Yes | No |
| Case Color: | Silver | Space Gray |
| Order Number: | MGEM2LL/A MGEN2LL/A MGEQ2LL/A |
MRTR2LL/A MRTT2LL/A |
| EMC Number: | 2840 | 3213 |
| Model Identifier: | Macmini7,1 | Macmini8,1 |
| Intro Price (US): | US$499, US$699, US$999 | US$799, US$1099 |
| Intro Price (UK): | £399, £569, £799 | £799, £1099 |
| Intro Price (CA): | C$549, C$749, C$1079 | C$999, C$1399 |
| Intro Price (AU): | A$619, A$869, A$1249 | A$1249, A$1699 |
† The RAM in the "Late 2014" models could be upgraded to as much as 16 GB of RAM at the time of system purchase but it is soldered onboard and cannot be upgraded after purchase. By contrast, the RAM in the "Late 2018" models can be upgraded up to 64 GB of RAM at any time courtesy of PC4-21300 DDR4 SO-DIMM modules.
* The internal storage in the "Late 2014" models can be upgraded after purchase. Unfortunately, the "Late 2018" models have onboard storage that is soldered in place and that cannot be upgraded after purchase.
For pricing information in dozens of other countries, refer to EveryMac.com's Global Original Prices section.
Comparison Summary
The "Late 2018" Mac mini models are substantially better than their four year old "Late 2014" predecessors in nearly every way.
In particular, the "Late 2018" Mac mini models have a vastly more advanced processor and system architecture, faster graphics, and more modern connectivity. They also have upgradable RAM (again), a welcome return for the Mac mini lineup.
However, the "Late 2014" Mac mini models have upgradable internal storage as well as IR support for a remote and an SD card slot. They also are substantially cheaper, both at the time of their release and especially now on the used market. Accordingly, these older models remain well worth consideration for someone on a tight budget who can get by with slower performance and older connectivity.
Although the "Late 2018" Mac mini largely is a great step in the right direction, EveryMac.com is hopeful that Apple eventually will return to producing desktop Mac designs that have both RAM and storage that can be upgraded easily.
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 a solid 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.
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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