Mac mini "Core Solo" 1.5 Specs (Early 2006, MA205LL/A, Macmini1,1, A1176, 2108): EveryMac.com

Apple Mac mini "Core Solo" 1.5 Specs

Identifiers: Early 2006 - MA205LL/A - Macmini1,1 - A1176 - 2108

All Mac mini Models | All 2006 Models | Dynamically Compare This Mac to Others

The Apple Mac mini "Core Solo" 1.5 features a 1.5 GHz Intel "Core Solo" (T1200) processor, a 2 MB on-chip level 2 cache, a 667 MHz frontside bus, 512 MB of 667 MHz DDR2 SDRAM (PC2-5300) memory, a 5400 RPM, 60 GB Serial ATA hard drive, a slot-loading 8X single layer DVD/CD-RW Combo Drive, and an "Intel GMA950 graphics processor with 64 MB of DDR2 SDRAM shared with main memory."

Connectivity includes DVI (DVI-to-VGA adapter included) and Firewire "400", 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. It lacks an internal 56k modem, but an external Apple USB Modem can be purchased for US$49.

Like the Mac mini G4 models, the internal components are cleverly enclosed in a tiny and elegant 2.9 lb, 6.5 inch square, two inch tall case with a built-in speaker and an external power supply.

The Mac mini "Core Solo" 1.5 also included an Apple Remote for use with Apple Front Row media organization software. The Mac mini "Core" systems shipped without a display, keyboard, or mouse, but numerous Apple and third-party options are available.

Also see: What are the differences between the Mac mini "Core Solo/Core Duo" models?

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Tech Specs
Ports
Global Original Prices
Popular Q&As

Click on a category for related details. The most commonly needed info is "open" by default, but all info is important. Asterisks (*) reference data in details fields.

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Introduction Date:

February 28, 2006

Discontinued Date:

September 6, 2006

Details:

The "Introduction Date" refers to the date a model was introduced via press release. The "Discontinued Date" refers to the date a model either was replaced by a subsequent system or production otherwise ended.

Also see: All Macs introduced in 2006.

Processors:

1 (1 Core)

Architecture:

32-Bit

Details:

Also see: All models with a 32-Bit processor courtesy of EveryMac.com's Ultimate Mac Sort.

Geekbench 2 (32):

1387

Geekbench 2 (64):

N/A

Details:

When last updated, Geekbench 2 only provided sufficient 32-bit performance data for this model. These numbers reflect an average of user provided 32-bit and 64-bit results as submitted to the Geekbench website. Higher numbers are better.

You also might be interested in reviewing all 32-bit and 64-bit Geekbench 2 user submissions for Macs with the Macmini1,1 Model Identifier, which may include multiple models.

To dynamically compare Geekbench 2 results from different Macs side-by-side, see EveryMac.com's Ultimate Mac Comparison.

Geekbench 3 (32):

N/A

Geekbench 3 (32):

N/A

Details:

The Geekbench 3 benchmark does not support this model. Both numbers reflect an average of user provided results as submitted to the Geekbench website. Higher numbers are better.

You also might be interested in reviewing all 32-bit single core and multicore Geekbench 3 user submissions for Macs with the Macmini1,1 Model Identifier, which may include multiple models.

To dynamically compare 32-bit Geekbench 3 results from different Macs side-by-side, see EveryMac.com's Ultimate Mac Comparison.

Geekbench 3 (64):

N/A

Geekbench 3 (64):

N/A

Details:

The Geekbench 3 benchmark does not support this model. Both numbers reflect an average of user provided results as submitted to the Geekbench website. Higher numbers are better.

You also might be interested in reviewing all 64-bit single core and multicore Geekbench 3 user submissions for Macs with the Macmini1,1 Model Identifier, which may include multiple models.

To dynamically compare 64-bit Geekbench 3 results from different Macs side-by-side, see EveryMac.com's Ultimate Mac Comparison.

Geekbench 4 (SC):

N/A

Geekbench 4 (MC):

N/A

Details:

These Geekbench 4 benchmarks are are for a single processor core and all processor cores, respectively. All Geekbench 4 benchmarks are 64-bit. Both numbers reflect an average of user provided results as submitted to the Geekbench website. Higher numbers are better.

You also might be interested in reviewing all single core and multicore Geekbench 4 user submissions for Macs with the Macmini1,1 Model Identifier, which may include multiple models.

To dynamically compare Geekbench 4 results from different Macs side-by-side, see EveryMac.com's Ultimate Mac Comparison.

Geekbench 5 (SC):

N/A

Geekbench 5 (MC):

N/A

Details:

The Geekbench 5 benchmark does not support this Mac. Both numbers reflect an average of user provided results as submitted to the Geekbench website. Higher numbers are better.

You also might be interested in reviewing all single core and multicore Geekbench 5 user submissions for Macs with the Macmini1,1 Model Identifier, which may include multiple models.

To dynamically compare Geekbench 5 results from different Macs side-by-side, see EveryMac.com's Ultimate Mac Comparison.

Processor Speed:

1.5 GHz

Processor Type:

Core Solo (T1200)

Details:

The Intel "Core Solo" (T1200) processor has a single processor "core" on a single silicon chip.

Also see: How fast is the Mac mini "Core Solo/Core Duo" compared to the Mac mini G4?

Turbo Boost:

N/A

Custom Speeds:

N/A

Details:

N/A

Processor Upgrade:

ZIF Socket

FPU:

Integrated

Details:

Also see: Is it possible to upgrade the processor in the Mac mini "Core" models?

System Bus Speed:

667 MHz

Cache Bus Speed:

1.5 GHz (Built-in)

Details:

667 MHz frontside bus.

ROM/Firmware Type:

EFI

EFI Architecture:

32-Bit

Details:

Also see: Does the Intel Mac mini have a ROM or BIOS?

L1 Cache:

32k/32k

L2/L3 Cache:

2 MB (on chip)

Details:

Includes a 2 MB shared "on chip" level 2 cache that runs at processor speed.

RAM Type:

PC2-5300 DDR2

Min. RAM Speed:

667 MHz

Details:

Supports 667 MHz PC2-5300 DDR2 SO-DIMMs. Also see: How do you upgrade the RAM in the polycarbonate Intel Mac mini models? How much RAM of what type do they support?

Standard RAM:

512 MB

Maximum RAM:

2 GB

Details:

512 MB of RAM was installed as two 256 MB modules, no slots free.

In the US (and many other countries), site sponsor Other World Computing sells memory -- as well as other upgrades -- for this Mac mini.

In Germany, site sponsor CompuRAM sells memory and other upgrades for this Mac mini.

In Australia, site sponsor Upgradeable sells memory and other upgrades for this Mac mini.

Also see: Actual Max RAM of All G3 & Later Macs.

Motherboard RAM:

None

RAM Slots:

Details:

Apple recommends that one install RAM in matched pairs for optimum performance. Also see: What is the performance difference of the Mac mini "Core" using matched or unmatched RAM?

Video Card:

Intel GMA 950

VRAM Type:

Integrated

Details:

Also see: Why are "integrated graphics" in the Mac mini "Core" considered to be inferior?

In Spain, site sponsor iRepairs provides affordable repair and data recovery services. In-person and by mail repair services include the graphics card, power supply, and more for this Mac mini.

Standard VRAM:

64 MB

Maximum VRAM:

64 MB

Details:

Apple reports that "memory available to Mac OS X may vary depending on graphics needs. Minimum graphics memory usage is 80 MB, resulting in 432 MB of system memory available" with the default 512 MB installed.

Display Support:

Single Display

Resolution Support:

1920x1200

Details:

The DVI video output supports digital resolutions up to 1920x1200. Apple also reports that it supports the "20-inch Apple Cinema display and 23-inch Apple Cinema HD display; supports coherent digital displays up to 154MHz; supports non-coherent digital displays up to 135MHz." VGA output (using the provided adapter) supports analog resolutions as high as 1920x1080. S-Video and composite video (to connect to a projector or TV) requires the Apple DVI to Video adapter (sold separately).

2nd Display Support:

None

2nd Max. Resolution:

N/A

Details:

N/A

Standard Storage:

60 GB HDD

Std. Storage Speed:

5400 RPM

Details:

100 GB or 120 GB hard drives optional.

This model supports hard drives larger than 128 GB.

Also see: How do you upgrade the hard drive in the Mac mini "Core" models? What type of hard drive do they support?

In the US (and many other countries), site sponsor Other World Computing sells storage upgrades for this Mac mini.

In the UK, site sponsor Flexx sells storage upgrades for this Mac mini.

In Australia, site sponsor Upgradeable sells storage upgrades for this Mac mini.

Also see: SSD Compatibility Guide for All G3 & Later Macs.

Storage Dimensions:

2.5" (9.5 mm)

Storage Interface:

Serial ATA (1.5 Gb/s)

Details:

This model supports a single SATA I (1.5 Gb/s) 2.5" hard drive or SSD that is up to 9.5 mm thick.

Standard Optical:

8X "Combo Drive"

Standard Disk:

None

Details:

Apple reports that the slot-loading "combo" drive (DVD-ROM/CD-RW) "reads DVDs at up to 8x speed, writes CD-R discs at up to 24x speed, writes CD-RW discs at up to 16x speed, [and] reads CDs at up to 24x speed."

Also see: What are the capabilities of the optical drive provided by the Mac mini "Core" models? Which can read and write dual-layer DVDs?

Standard Modem:

None

Standard Ethernet:

10/100/1000Base-T

Details:

External Apple USB Modem (56.6k v.92) available for US$49. Gigabit Ethernet standard.

Standard AirPort:

802.11a/b/g

Standard Bluetooth:

2.0+EDR

Details:

AirPort Extreme (802.11a/b/g) and Bluetooth 2.0+EDR standard.

USB Ports:

4 (2.0)

Firewire Ports:

1 (400)

Details:

Four USB 2.0 ports (up to 480 Mbps), one Firewire "400" port (8 watts).

Expansion Slots:

None

Expansion Bays:

None

Details:

In the US (and many other countries), site sponsor Other World Computing sells a wide variety of external expansion options and hand-picked accessories like external storage, stands, keyboards, cables, adapters, speakers, and more for this Mac mini.

Incl. Keyboard:

None

Incl. Input:

None

Details:

Mac mini systems did not ship with a keyboard or mouse. Also see: What type of keyboards and mice does the Mac mini "Core" support?

Case Type:

Cuboid

Form Factor:

Mac mini

Details:

Uses a tiny and elegant 6.5 inch wide, 6.5 inch deep, and 2 inch tall case.

Apple Order No:

MA205LL/A

Apple Subfamily:

Early 2006

Details:

The Apple order number should be unique to this system.

Apple Model No:

A1176 (EMC 2108)

Model ID:

Macmini1,1

Details:

Please note that these identifiers refer to more than one model.

Also see: All Macs with the A1176 Model Number, the 2108 EMC Number, and the Macmini1,1 Model Identifier.

For more about these identifiers and how to locate them on each Mac, please refer to EveryMac.com's Mac Identification section.

Battery Type:

N/A

Battery Life:

N/A

Details:

N/A

Pre-Installed MacOS:

X 10.4.5 (8H1619)

Maximum MacOS:

X 10.6.8*

Details:

*This system can run the last version of Mac OS X 10.6 "Snow Leopard". However, it cannot boot in 64-bit mode nor does it support "OpenCL" or "Grand Central Dispatch". It also cannot run versions of Mac OS X more recent than 10.6.8.

Also see: Which Intel Macs are capable of booting MacOS X 10.6 "Snow Leopard" in 64-bit mode?

Minimum Windows:

XP SP2 (32-Bit)*

Maximum Windows:

7 (32-Bit)*

Details:

*Apple's Boot Camp 4 formally supports the 32-bit versions of Windows XP SP2, Windows Vista, and Windows 7. However, if upgraded to at least 1 GB of RAM, the system does meet Microsoft's minimum requirements for Windows 8 and readers have reported successfully running the 32-bit version of this operating system with appropriate drivers.

MacOS 9 Support:

None

Windows Support:

Boot/Virtualization

Details:

Also see: Are there any third-party programs to run Mac OS 9/Classic applications on Intel Macs?

For more on running Windows on Intel Macs, please refer to the exhaustive Windows on Mac Q&A.

Dimensions:

2.0 x 6.5 x 6.5

Avg. Weight:

2.9 lbs. (1.32 kg)

Details:

In inches - height by width by depth, (5.08 cm, 16.51 cm, 16.51 cm).

Original Price (US):

US$599

Est. Current Retail:

N/A

Details:

Please note that on average the estimated current retail pricing of used systems is updated twice a year (please refer to the date on the bottom of the page for the date last updated).

Photo Credit: Apple Computer.

Click on a category for additional details. The most commonly needed info is "open" by default, but all info is important. The icons correspond with the icons for each port on the computer.

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Video (Monitor):

1 (DVI-I)

Floppy (Ext.):

None

Details:

Supports a single DVI display (or a single VGA display with the included DVI-to-VGA adapter). Supports digital resolutions up to 1920x1200 and analog resolutions as high as 1920x1080.

ADB:

None

SCSI:

None

Details:

N/A

Serial (Standard):

None

Serial (Geoport):

None

Details:

N/A

USB:

4 (2.0)

Firewire:

1 (400)

Details:

Four USB 2.0 ports (up to 480 Mbps), one Firewire "400" port (8 watts).

Modem:

None

Ethernet:

1 (RJ-45)

Details:

External Apple USB Modem (56.6k v.92) available for US$49. Gigabit Ethernet, AirPort Extreme (802.11g), and Bluetooth 2.0+EDR standard.

S-Video Input:

None

S-Video Output:

None

Details:

N/A

Microphone:

None

Sound In:

Details:

Combined "optical digital audio input/audio line in minijack."

Sound Out:

Headphone:

Details:

Single combined "optical digital audio output/headphone out minijack."

Security (Lock):

Joystick (PC):

None

Details:

N/A

Power:

Power Adapter:

N/A

Details:

100V-240V, 110W maximum.

Global original prices for the Mac mini "Core Solo" 1.5 in 34 different countries and territories follow; organized alphabetically by region.

For global original prices for Intel Macs in one particular country on a single page, please refer to EveryMac.com's Global Original Prices section.

Original Prices - North & South America

Canada:

C$699

Brazil:

N/A

Mexico:

N/A

United States:

US$599

Original Prices - Europe

Austria:

N/A

Belgium:

€659

Denmark:

DKK 5,099

Finland:

N/A

France:

€649

Germany:

€649

Ireland:

N/A

Italy:

€659

Luxembourg:

N/A

Netherlands:

€649

Norway:

N/A

Portugal:

N/A

Spain:

€639

Sweden:

N/A

Switzerland:

CHF 929

United Kingdom:

£449

Original Prices - Asia

China:

RMB 5,900

Hong Kong:

N/A

India:

N/A

Indonesia:

N/A

Japan:

¥74,800

Korea:

N/A

Malaysia:

N/A

The Philippines:

N/A

Singapore:

N/A

Taiwan:

N/A

Thailand:

N/A

Vietnam:

N/A

Original Prices - Australia & New Zealand

Australia:

A$999

New Zealand:

NZ$1219

If you have additional original prices for this model, please get in touch. Thank you.

Ten of the most popular Q&As about the Mac mini models follow.

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