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Aluminum "Unibody" Mac mini Q&A
Published July 24, 2011
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What are all the differences between the "Mid-2011" Aluminum "Unibody" Mac mini models? Which is best for my needs?
Please note that the "Mid-2011" 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 even a detailed physical inspection of the small, aluminum "Mid-2011" Mac mini models -- the stock configurations of which are the Mac mini "Core i5" 2.3 (Mid-2011), "Core i5" 2.5 (Mid-2011) and "Core i7" 2.0 (Mid-2011 Server) -- one would not find any obvious differences between them.
However, there are important differences in hardware as well as software and intended use that are well worth evaluating.
Photo Credit: Apple, Inc.
External & Connectivity Differences (Or, the Lack Thereof)
All three of these configurations 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. As is quickly apparent from the above image, none have an internal optical drive (although Apple offers an external one for US$79).
Photo Credit: Apple, Inc.
All three systems have identical connectivity, too. Connectivity includes 802.11a/b/g/n Wi-Fi (as a minor point of minutia Apple stopped branding the wireless internet capabilities as "AirPort Extreme" with these models, although the technology is the same), Bluetooth 4.0, four USB 2.0 ports, a single Firewire "800" port, combined "audio line in (digital/analog)" and combined "audio line out/headphone (digital/analog)" minijacks, a 10/100/1000Base-T Gigabit Ethernet port, and an SDXC-capable SD card slot. All support IR for a remote, too.
For simultaneous support of dual displays, and more, the "Mid-2011" Mac mini models have both an HDMI port and a new "Thunderbolt" port. Thunderbolt is backwards compatible with Mini DisplayPort and likewise supports an external display at 2560x1600 and passes an audio signal as well. Thunderbolt also supports other peripherals that use the Thunderbolt standard which provides up to 10 Gbps of bandwidth in both directions.
Identification Differences
Externally, the "Mid-2011" Mac mini line shares its single A1347 Model Number with other Mac mini models, and as a result, it is not convenient to use for identification. The three stock models -- as well as the "configure-to-order" option -- do share a unique 2442 EMC Number -- visible upon removing the bottom "spin off" panel (on the righthand side with the ports facing you) -- and EveryMac.com methodically has documented this detail accordingly.
In software, the entry-level 2.3 GHz model, the mid-level 2.5 GHz model and the Server model can be identified by Model Identifiers of Macmini5,1, Macmini5,2 and Macmini5,3, respectively. The CTO option -- which has the same graphics as the mid-level model -- shares the Macmini5,2 identifier as well.
EveryMac.com's Ultimate Mac Lookup feature also can identify the "Mid-2011" Mac mini models by their Serial Numbers.
Internal Differences
Although there are some similarities internally -- all use Intel "Sandy Bridge" processors of differing types and speeds with a 5 GT/s "Direct Media Interface" in lieu of the "traditional" system bus, all support 1333 MHz PC3-10600 DDR3 SO-DIMMs, and all support two 6 Gb/s Serial ATA hard drives, for example -- there are major differences as well.
The most notable internal difference is that the mid-level Mac mini "Core i5" 2.5 (Mid-2011) model has dedicated graphics -- an AMD Radeon HD 6630M graphics processor with 256 MB of dedicated GDDR5 memory -- which results in a substantial improvement in graphics performance. The entry-level and server models, by contrast, only have integrated graphics, specifically an Intel HD Graphics 3000 video processor, that shares memory with the system.
It also is quite notable that the server configuration has a quad core processor rather than dual core processors like the other models. The server model also shipped with dual hard drives and Lion Server pre-installed.
Comparison Chart
Other differences include pre-installed memory and storage, and these are summarized below along with processor, identifier, and price differences:
 2.3 |
2.5 |
2.0 (Server) |
|
|---|---|---|---|
| Processor Speed: | 2.3 GHz | 2.5 GHz* | 2.0 GHz |
| Processor Type: | Core i5 (2415M) | Core i5 (2520M)* | Core i7 (2635QM) |
| Processor Cores: | 2 | 2 | 4 |
| L3 Cache: | 3 MB | 3 MB | 6 MB |
| Std. RAM: | 2 GB | 4 GB | 4 GB |
| Graphics Processor: | HD Graphics 3000 | Radeon HD 6630M | HD Graphics 3000 |
| VRAM Type: | Integrated | Dedicated | Integrated |
| Std. VRAM: | 288 MB | 256 MB | 384 MB |
| Std. Hard Drive: | 500 GB | 500 GB | 500 GB x2 |
| Std. Optical Drive: | None | None | None |
| Lion Server: | No | No | Yes |
| Order Number: | MC815LL/A | MC816LL/A | MC936LL/A |
| Model Identifier: | Macmini5,1 | Macmini5,2 | Macmini5,3 |
| Intro Price: | US$599 | US$799 | US$999 |
* This model also is available via custom configuration with a 2.7 GHz "Core i7" (I7-2620M) processor for an extra US$100. As requested by readers, EveryMac.com additionally has documented this custom configuration as its own model.
Comparison Summary
If you would like a stylish, small and quiet computer and you have or intend to purchase a separate display, keyboard and input device (mouse or trackpad), a "Mid-2011" Mac mini could be ideal provided that you do not need an internal optical drive. Likewise, for a computer to connect to a television via the HDMI port, the Mac mini also is ideal if you have fully embraced streaming and no longer need an internal optical drive for CDs or DVDs.
Assuming that the "Mid-2011" Mac mini models meet your overall needs, the entry-level model is ideal for basic productivity or graphics work, as a TV-connected computer or for those on a budget. If 3D graphics performance for gaming or graphics production is more important than price, the mid-level model is a better choice than the entry-level configuration. Finally, if you need a relatively inexpensive server, the Server configuration makes everything easy.
Of course, now that all of these models are available on the used market, they are offered at a signficant discount to their original prices.
Mac mini Purchase Options
There are no shortage of places to purchase a used or new Mac mini. However, buying from a good company 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 also refer to EveryMac.com's Ultimate Mac Comparison feature to dynamically compare any Mac mini model to any other Mac.
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