Mac Mini

The Mac Mini (stylized as Mac mini) is a SFF-class desktop computer made by Apple Inc. It is one of four desktop computers in the current Macintosh lineup, serving as an alternative to the all-in-one iMac, and sitting below the performance range iMac Pro and Mac Pro.
The Mac Mini is Apple's only consumer desktop computer since 1998 to ship without a display, keyboard, or mouse. Apple initially marketed it as "BYODKM" (Bring Your Own Display, Keyboard, and Mouse), pitching it to users switching from a traditional PC running operating systems such as Microsoft Windows or Linux. It uses many laptop components to achieve its compact size.
The Mac Mini was introduced in January 2005, using PowerPC G4 processors. The second-generation Mac Mini, introduced in February 2006, carried over the design of the PowerPC version, but used Intel Core processors and other upgraded components, and made wireless connections such as Bluetooth and Wi-Fi standard.
The third-generation Mac Mini, introduced in June 2010, brought a thinner unibody aluminum case and an HDMI port, more readily positioning it as a home theater device alternative to the Apple TV. Later revisions added Thunderbolt and Intel Core i5 and i7 processors.
The fourth-generation Mac Mini introduced in October 2018 changed to a darker "space gray" finish. This model features solid-state storage as standard, and replaces most data ports with USB-C.
A fifth-generation model based on Apple silicon processors was introduced in November 2020, returning to the silver finish of earlier models. The fourth-generation model remains on sale alongside it.
A server version of the Mac Mini, bundled with the Server edition of the OS X operating system, was offered from 2009 to 2014.
First generation (PowerPC G4).
A small form factor computer had been widely speculated and requested long before the release of the Mac Mini. On January 10, 2005, the Mac Mini was announced alongside the iPod shuffle at the Macworld Conference & Expo and was described by Apple CEO Steve Jobs at the time as "the cheapest, most affordable Mac ever".
The Mac Mini was intended as an entry-level computer intended for budget-minded customers. Unlike regular desktops, which use standard-sized components such as 3.5-inch hard drives and full-size DIMMs, the Mac Mini uses low-power laptop components to fit into a small case and run without overheating.
Design and repairability.
The aluminum case, capped with polycarbonate plastic on the top and bottom, has an optical drive slot on the front and the I/O ports and vents for the cooling system on the back. It has an external 85W power supply.
The 1st generation has no visible screws, reflecting Apple's intention that the computer not be upgraded by the user. Some Mac Mini owners used a putty knife or a pizza cutter to open the case to install third-party memory, which could be obtained far more cheaply than Apple's offering. Apple describes this procedure in detail, including an official Apple part number for a "modified putty knife".
Processors.
The Mac Mini G4 has single-core 32-bit PowerPC processors with 512 KB (1 KB = 1024 B) of on-chip L2 cache. The processor — running at 1.25, 1.33, 1.42, or 1.5 GHz, depending on the model — accesses memory through a front-side bus clocked at 167 MHz. It can also be overclocked to higher frequencies by either soldering or desoldering certain zero-ohm resistors on the logic board. An ATI Radeon 9200 graphics processor with 32 MB of DDR SDRAM (1 MB = 1024 KB) came standard; in 2005's final Mac Mini G4, Apple added a high-end option for 64 MB VRAM.
Memory.
The Mac Mini G4 uses 333 MHz DDR SDRAM. It has just one desktop-sized DIMM slot for random-access memory, allowing a maximum of 1 GB of memory (1 GB = 1024 MB). This relatively small amount often forced the system to page to the hard disk, slowing operation considerably. (Intel models of Mac Mini use two notebook DIMM slots.)
Storage.
The Mac Mini G4 uses a single 2.5-inch Ultra ATA/100 hard drive, which offers a maximum transfer rate of 100 MB/s. Because of its sealed enclosure, it is not possible to upgrade the hard drive without opening the enclosure and possibly voiding the warranty of the system. The Mac Mini G4 also contains a second ATA cable that connects to the optical drive. A Combo drive was included as standard, while a SuperDrive able to write to DVDs was also an option.
Connectivity.
The Mac Mini includes two USB 2.0 ports and one FireWire 400 port. Networking is supported with 10/100 Ethernet and 56k V.92 modem, while 802.11b/g Wi-Fi and Bluetooth were additional build-to-order options. External displays are supported via a DVI port. Adaptors are also available for VGA, S-Video, and composite video. The system contains a built-in speaker and an analog 1/8-inch stereo mini jack.
In the last revision of the Mac Mini G4, the internal mezzanine board was upgraded to accommodate the AirPort Wi-Fi and Bluetooth technology onto one chip. In prior models, the Mac Mini included an AirPort Extreme card taped to the mezzanine board and a separate Bluetooth module. This new Wi-Fi card also no longer uses an MMCX-Female connector for the antenna (as the prior models did) but rather a proprietary Apple one.
Specifications.
"Notes:"
1 The serial number and specifications sticker on the underside of the latest revision do not carry the actual specs of the upgrade. For example, on a 1.5 GHz model, 1.42 GHz is listed. The product packaging also did not reflect the upgrade. Apple did not revise the official specifications on their web site.
Alternative operating systems.
The Mac Mini G4 can run different operating systems designed for the PowerPC architecture. For example, users can install the AmigaOS-compatible MorphOS, OpenBSD, or Linux distributions such as Debian or Ubuntu. Success has been reported with running Mac OS 9 on the Mac Mini G4 through an unofficial patcher, though this is not supported in any way by Apple.
Support for pre-OS X Mac applications.
Unlike the Intel models, a G4 Mac Mini running Mac OS X 10.4 can run Mac OS 9 "Classic" applications, as long as a bootable copy of the OS 9 System Folder is installed from which to run the Classic environment. As of Mac OS X 10.5, the ability to run the Classic Environment was removed.
Second generation (Intel-based).
On February 28, 2006 Apple announced an Intel-based Mac Mini with an Core Solo or Duo processor. Apple claimed it was "four times faster than its predecessor".
On October 22, 2009, Apple introduced a server version with a second hard drive instead of an optical drive. It was marketed as an affordable server for small businesses and schools.
Processors.
The 2006 and 2007 models came with 32-bit Intel Core Solo processors that could be replaced with 64-bit Core 2 Duo processors through a simple upgrade. Since the 2006 and 2007 "Merom"-based Mac Mini models came with socketed processors, the 32-bit processor can easily be removed, and replaced with a compatible 64-bit Intel Core 2 Duo processor. The following processors are compatible: 2.00 GHz Intel T7200 SL9SF, 2.16 GHz Intel T7400 SL9SE, 2.33 GHz Intel T7600 SL9SD. 2009 and later models have the processors soldered onto the logic board and preventing it from being upgradable. Once the 2006 model is upgraded to a Core 2 Duo processor, it can support up to 2 GB of memory, and can run Mac OS X Lion through a minor modification by editing or deleting the platformsupport.plist file. Many users have found that such upgrades can make the 2006/2007 models perform even better than the 2009 models. Geekbench scores have shown that the 2.33 GHz Core 2 Duo fitted Mac Mini with 2 GB of RAM has a score of 3060 whereas a late 2009 Mac Mini with 2 GB of RAM has 3056 making the two machines fairly comparable.
While the Mac Mini G4 contained a separate graphics processor, all revisions of the Intel-based Mac Mini contain integrated GPUs, except in the 2011 version where the 2.5 GHz model contains a separate AMD Radeon GPU. In Apple's early marketing of the Mac Mini G4, it touted the superiority of the use of a discrete ATI Radeon 9200 32 MB graphics card over the integrated graphics included in many budget PCs. The Intel GMA that was built into the Mac Mini was criticized for producing stuttering video, despite supporting hardware accelerated H.264 video playback, and disappointing frame rates in graphics-intensive 3D games. Early and Late 2009 models corrected these performance issues with an improved NVIDIA based GeForce 9400M chipset.
Memory.
Unlike the Mac Mini G4, the Intel-based Mac Mini uses a dual-channel architecture for memory. The original Intel-based Mac Mini uses 667 MHz DDR2 SDRAM, while models starting with the early 2009 revision use 1066 MHz DDR3 SDRAM.
Storage.
The Intel-based Mac Mini moves away from the formerly used Ultra ATA/100 to the newer Serial ATA interface, which offers a maximum 3 Gbit/s transfer rate, however all models of Intel Mac Mini have been limited to 1.5 Gbit/s even though the SATA standard supports a transfer of 3 Gbit/s. All models continue to use 2.5-inch hard drives as opposed to the 3.5-inch drives used in standard desktops. A server edition of the Mac Mini was introduced in October 2009, which omits the optical drive in favor of a second hard drive for a total of 1 TB of storage (1 TB = 1000 billion bytes). A Combo drive was initially offered as standard, with the SuperDrive being an option, but through the 2010 models, all models that have an optical drive contain the SuperDrive as standard. The 2010 standard version of the Mac (without Server) comes with a 0.3 TB or on 2.66 GHz 0.5 TB of storage.
Connectivity.
The Intel-based Mac Mini includes four USB 2.0 ports and one FireWire 400 port. The I/O ports were changed with the early 2009 revision, with a fifth USB 2.0 port added and the FireWire 400 port replaced with a FireWire 800 port. An infrared receiver was added allowing the use of an Apple Remote.
Bluetooth 2.0+EDR and 802.11g Wi-Fi became standard after being optional in the G4 version, and the Ethernet port was upgraded to Gigabit, while a built-in 56k modem is no longer available. The 2009 models added 802.11 draft-n and later 802.11n Wi-Fi, and Bluetooth was also upgraded from 2.0 to 2.1.
External displays are supported through a DVI port. The 2009 models change the video outputs to Mini-DVI and Mini DisplayPort, which allowed for dual displays. The Mini DisplayPort supports external displays with a resolution up to 2560×1600, which allows use of the 30-inch Cinema Display. While the Mac Mini G4 supported only analog audio output, the Intel-based Mac Mini has separate Mini-TOSLINK/3.5 mm mini-jacks that supported both analog audio input and output as well optical digital S/PDIF input and output.
Third generation (Unibody).
On June 15, 2010, Apple introduced the third generation Mac Mini with a thinner unibody aluminum case. It also included an internal power supply and an SD card slot. An HDMI port, which Apple describes as being HDMI 1.4 compliant, replaces the Mini-DVI port as one of the main video connection methods.
An update announced on July 20, 2011 added a Thunderbolt port, dual-core Intel Core i5 and quad-core i7 processors, support for up to 16 GB of memory, Bluetooth 4.0, and either Intel HD Graphics 3000 integrated graphics or AMD Radeon HD 6630M dedicated graphics. The revision also removed the internal CD/DVD optical drive from all versions. The server model was upgraded to a quad-core Core i7 processor.
Apple updated the line on October 23, 2012 with Ivy Bridge processors, USB 3.0, and upgraded graphics. On October 16, 2014 the line was updated with Haswell processors, improved graphics, 802.11ac Wi-Fi, and Thunderbolt 2. The FireWire 800 port was replaced with a second Thunderbolt port. The price of the base-model was lowered by $100. The only change to the body was the removal of the two holes used to open the case, as the memory was no longer upgradable because it was soldered to the logic board. Since the integrated graphics processor does not have its own dedicated memory, the system shares some of the main system memory with it. 4K video output via HDMI was added.
Structure.
There is a removable panel on the bottom of the chassis enabling the user to upgrade the RAM. While opening the case does not actually void the warranty, anything broken while the case is open is not covered.
The 2011 revision removes the Kensington Security Slot, as well as the optical drive, leaving internal space for a second internal hard drive or SSD, which can be ordered from Apple, or as an upgrade kit from third party suppliers.
Performance.
Mac Mini models released in late 2014 used dual-core processors, which perform worse in multi-threaded workloads compared to the quad-core processors from the 2012 model. Meanwhile, single-threaded workload performance increased. Comparing the high ends of both releases, the 2012 model used a 4-core, 8-thread Intel Core i7-3720QM, whereas the 2014 model used a 2-core, 4-thread Intel Core i7-4578U.
The 2014 model featured Intel Iris graphics (GT3), which greatly outperforms the Intel HD Graphics 4000 (GT2) in the previous models. The late 2014 CPUs were also more energy-efficient: their maximal thermal design power (TDP) was 62% lower than that of the 2012 models.
Reception.
In general, the Mac Mini has been praised as a relatively affordable computer with a solid range of features. Reviews noted it is possible to purchase small computers at the same price with faster processors, better graphics card, more memory, and more storage. The small size has made the Mac Mini particularly popular as a home theater solution. In addition, its size and reliability has helped keep resale values high.
Fourth generation (USB-C).
On October 30, 2018, Apple announced a fourth generation Mac Mini with Intel Coffee Lake processors, the T2 series chip used to manage the security of the device, Bluetooth 5, four USB-C 3.1 gen 2 ports that support Thunderbolt 3, two USB 3.0 Type-A ports, and HDMI 2.0. PCIe-based flash storage is standard with no option of a hard disk drive. The storage was changed to a baseline 128 GB, with a maximum of 2 TB. The RAM was increased to a baseline of 8 GB, and a maximum of 64 GB of SO-DIMM DDR4. The chassis is mostly a carryover from the previous generation, measuring the same dimensions, though is only available in a darker "space gray" finish. This generation removes the SD card reader, SATA drive bay, IR receiver, optical S/PDIF (TOSLINK) audio out, and audio in. macOS Catalina added support for Dolby Atmos, Dolby Vision, and HDR10. In March 2020 Apple doubled the default storage in both base models. Configurations with Core i3 processors were discontinued in November 2020 after the launch of the first Apple silicon Mac Mini, but Core i5 and Core i7 configurations remain on sale.
Hardware replaceability.
Memory can again be replaced, unlike the 2014 models which had it soldered directly to the logic board, though it is not officially user-replaceable per Apple, and requires service by an Apple Store or Apple Authorized Service Provider. The processor and flash storage are soldered to the logic board and cannot be replaced.
Fifth generation (M1).
On November 10, 2020, Apple announced an updated Mac Mini with an Apple-designed M1 processor, launched alongside an updated MacBook Air and 13-inch MacBook Pro as the first Macs with Apple's new line of custom ARM-based Apple silicon processors. The Apple silicon Mac Mini also adds support for Wi-Fi 6, USB4, and 6K output to run the Pro Display XDR. Externally it is similar to the 2018 Mac Mini but returns to a lighter silver finish similar to the 3rd generation (2010–2014) models. No longer available are options for over 16 GB of RAM. External display support is also reduced to one display over USB-C/Thunderbolt, though a second display is supported over HDMI; the previous Intel-based model could drive two 4K displays over USB-C/Thunderbolt. On April 20, 2021, 10 Gigabit Ethernet was added as a built-to-order option.
The Apple silicon Mac Mini was preceded by the A12Z-based Developer Transition Kit, a prototype for developers using a Mac Mini enclosure, released on June 22, 2020. It came with 16 GB of RAM, 512 GB of storage, and two USB-C ports that did not support Thunderbolt 3.
Home theater.
The Mac Mini can be classified as a home theater PC with some limits. Because of the similar small form factor, HDMI port, remote control IR receiver, and media browser interface, some users see it as an Apple TV alternative. It has a native user interface with Front Row, based on the user interface of the original Apple TV. It does not include an integrated TV tuner card and cannot be upgraded to install one internally; accessing TV requires external devices like Elgato's EyeTV USB adapter or SiliconDust's HDHomeRun networked TV tuner which will encode and manage broadcast television from a cable or satellite receiver.
Pre-2009 models had a video connector which was compatible with DVI, HDMI (video only), SVGA, S-Video and composite video with the appropriate adapter. Sound is provided by a combination jack that uses both mini-headphone (analog) and optical fiber cables (digital). Unlike the Apple TV, the Mac Mini is backward compatible with televisions that have only composite or S-Video inputs. As of the July 2011 revision it includes Intel HD3000 graphics processor with an optional Radeon graphics processing unit available and Thunderbolt which makes decoding high-resolution video much faster.
The addition of an HDMI port on the 2010 Mac Mini simplifies connecting to high-definition televisions and home theater AV receivers. The HDMI port supported up to 1080p and 8 channel 24-bit audio at 192 kHz, Dolby Surround 5.1 and stereo output. The 2014 model added 4K output, and the 2018 model supports Dolby Atmos, Dolby Vision, and HDR10 with macOS Catalina.
Mac Mini Server.
Apple has offered a Server configuration of the Mac Mini. The first Server model came preloaded with an OS X Server version of OS X, but later models instead came preloaded with the standard version of OS X, as well as a separate OS X Server package, which included separate component apps (including "Server App", "File Sharing", "Wiki Server", "Profile Manager", etc.). Later on, Apple released the OS X Server packaged app as a single purchase from the Mac App Store, containing all the separate components apps, so that any model of Mac computer could download and use them.
The Mid-2010 Server model was initially the only Mac Mini to entirely remove the optical drive, replacing it with a second hard drive in its place. However, from the Mid-2011 models onwards, all models of Mac Mini had the optical drive removed.
Greenhouse gas emission projections for the Mac Mini Server were several times those of the regular Mac Mini, in part because of the extra hard disk, but also due to increased expected lifetime energy use; the percentage of CO2 from usage rose from 39% to 77%.
The Mac Mini Server hardware was discontinued with the Late 2014 model. However, the macOS Server software package can be purchased from the Mac App Store. In 2018, coinciding with macOS Mojave, Apple shipped macOS Server version 5.71, which stopped bundling open source services, including DHCP, DNS, Email, Firewall, FTP, Radius, VPN, Web, and Wiki. Apple states that customers are able to receive support for these services directly from open-source providers. Other Apple-proprietary services, such as Airport, Calendar, Contacts, Messages, and Netboot were also removed, with no corresponding open source options.
Alternatives for Mac users include running Linux or Windows virtualized, or installing third-party Unix packages via open source package managers such as Conda, Fink, Homebrew, MacPorts, Nix, pkgsrc, and Rudix 
A few services — Caching, Files, Time Machine, and Web — moved to the macOS Mojave client, but can have limited configuration capability via Mojave's Sharing control panel. The Apache server GUI manager is replaced by apachectl commands in Terminal. The only services remaining in macOS Server 5.7.1 are Open Directory, Profile Manager, and Xsan.