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Aluminum "Unibody" Mac mini Q&A
Published June 23, 2010
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What are the differences between the "Mid-2010" Aluminum "Unibody" Mac mini "Core 2 Duo" models?
Please note that the "Mid-2010" 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.
The "Mid-2010" Aluminum "Unibody" Mac mini models -- the stock configurations of which are the Mac mini "Core 2 Duo" 2.4 (Mid-2010) and 2.66 Server (Mid-2010), to be more precise -- are both milled from a single piece of aluminum and have a great deal in common.
However, they also have notable differences in hardware and software as well as intended use that are well worth evaluating.
External & Connectivity Differences
Both use tiny "cuboid" aluminum cases -- just 7.7 inches across and deep and a miniscule 1.4 inches tall -- that have a "spin off" black plastic base on the bottom that can be removed quickly to access the RAM slots, but one major hardware difference is immediately apparent with even a quick glance at the two systems.
Photo Credit: Apple, Inc. (Server Configuration on Right)
The "regular" Mac mini configuration (left), equipped by default with a 2.4 GHz "Core 2 Duo" (P8600) processor, has a slot-loading 8X double-layer "SuperDrive" and a single 320 GB 3 Gb/s Serial ATA hard drive whereas the server configuration (right) has dual 500 GB 3 Gb/s Serial ATA hard drives, no optical drive, and a "slotless" case design.
Photo Credit: Apple, Inc.
Both systems have identical connectivity. Connectivity includes both an HDMI and a Mini DisplayPort -- capable of passing an audio signal as well as video -- for simultaneous support of dual displays, a Firewire "800" port, four USB 2.0 ports, combined "audio line in (digital/analog)" and combined "audio line out/headphone (digital/analog)" minijacks, a 10/100/1000Base-T Gigabit Ethernet port, built-in AirPort Extreme (802.11a/b/g/n), and Bluetooth 2.1+EDR, in addition to an SD card slot. Although Apple does not formally mention it, the SD card slot is SDXC capable.
Identification Differences
Externally, the "Mid-2010" Mac mini models share its single A1347 Model Number with later Aluminum Mac mini lines, and as a result, it is not convenient to use for identification. However, these configurations do share a unique 2364 EMC Number -- visible upon removing the bottom "spin off" panel (on the righthand side with the ports facing you) -- and EveryMac.com has meticulously documented this detail accordingly.
In software, all "Mid-2010" Mac mini models share the unique Macmini4,1 Model Identifier.
EveryMac.com's Ultimate Mac Lookup feature also can identify the "Mid-2010" Mac mini models by their Serial Numbers.
Internal Differences
Internally, with the exception of the aforementioned optical drive and second hard drive differences -- as well as default processor speed and default RAM -- these models are identical as well. Both have Intel "Core 2 Duo" processors with a 3 MB on-chip level 2 cache, a 1066 MHz frontside bus, support for a maximum of 8 GB of 1066 MHz DDR3 SDRAM (PC3-8500), and a NVIDIA GeForce 320M graphics processor that shares 256 MB of memory with the system for graphics use.
In addition to dual hard drives, the server configuration also shipped with a pre-installed copy of Mac OS X 10.6 "Snow Leopard" Server rather than the standard version of Mac OS X.
Comparison Chart
The precise differences in processor speed, pre-installed memory, hard drive, optical drive, and price for the "Mid-2010" Mac mini models are summarized below:
| "Mid-2010" Mac mini |  2.4 |
 2.66 (Server) |
|---|---|---|
| Processor Speed: | 2.4 GHz | 2.66 GHz |
| Processor Type: | P8600 | P8800 |
| Std. RAM: | 2 GB | 4 GB |
| Std. Hard Drive: | 320 GB | 500 GB x2 |
| Std. Optical Drive: | 8X DL | None |
| Default OS: | Mac OS X 10.6 | Mac OS X 10.6 Server |
| Apple Order No: | MC270LL/A | MC438LL/A |
| Price: | US$699 | US$999 |
Comparison Summary
Ultimately, the largest difference between the "Mid-2010" Mac mini models is perhaps intended use rather than technical specs. If one needs a relatively inexpensive desktop Mac -- particularly for television connectivity via the HDMI port -- the standard Mac mini is a great choice. If one needs a compact, low priced Mac OS X server, the server configuration makes life easy.
Naturally, on the used market, both models are offered at a signficant discount to their original prices.
Mac mini Purchase Options
There are many places to purchase a used or new Mac mini. However, buying from a quality merchant 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.
Please refer to EveryMac.com's Ultimate Mac Comparison feature to dynamically compare any Mac mini model to any other G3 or later Mac.
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