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

Please note that all systems mentioned in this Q&A have been discontinued. The Mac mini "Core Solo/Core Duo" models were replaced by the "Mid-2007" Mac mini "Core 2 Duo" line on August 7, 2007.

Like the Mac mini G4 models before it, the internal components of all Intel-based Mac mini "Core Solo/Core Duo" systems are cleverly enclosed in a tiny and elegant 2.9 lb, 6.5 inch square, two inch tall case.

Photo Credit: Apple Computer

The Intel-based Mac mini "Core Solo/Core Duo" models have either a Intel Core Solo or Core Duo processor, a 2 MB on-chip level 2 cache, a 667 MHz frontside bus, 512 MB of 667 MHz DDR2 SDRAM (PC2-5300), an integrated "Intel GMA950 graphics processor with 64 MB of DDR2 SDRAM shared with main memory", 5400 RPM hard drives, and an Apple Remote for use with Apple Front Row media organization software.

Connectivity of each system includes DVI (DVI-to-VGA adapter included), 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. The systems lack an internal 56k modem, but an external Apple USB Modem can be purchased for US$49.

There are a handful of configuration differences between the original Intel Mac mini models -- the Mac mini "Core Solo" 1.5 and Mac mini "Core Duo" 1.66 introduced February 28, 2006 and discontinued September 6, 2006 -- summarized below in this handy chart:

	Mac mini "Core Solo" 1.5	Mac mini "Core Duo" 1.66
Processor Speed:	1.5 GHz (T1300)	1.66 GHz (T2300)
Hard Drive:	60 GB	80 GB
Optical Drive:	8X "Combo Drive"	2.4X "SuperDrive"
Apple Part No:	MA205LL/A	MA206LL/A
Price:	US$599	US$799

On September 6, 2006, Apple discontinued the Mac mini "Core Solo" 1.5, effectively reduced the configuration of the Mac mini "Core Duo" 1.66 along with the price, and introduced a new "high end" model that was the same as the previous high end model but uses a faster 1.83 GHz "Core Duo" (T2400) processor.

The differences between the second configuration of the Mac mini "Core Duo" 1.66 and the Mac mini "Core Duo" 1.83, introduced September 6, 2006 and discontinued August 7, 2007, are summarized below:

	Mac mini "Core Duo" 1.66	Mac mini "Core Duo" 1.83
Processor Speed:	1.66 GHz (T2300)	1.83 GHz (T2400)
Hard Drive:	60 GB	80 GB
Optical Drive:	8X "Combo Drive"	2.4X "SuperDrive"
Apple Part No:	MA607LL/A	MA608LL/A
Price:	US$599	US$799

Site sponsor PowerMax has new and used configurations of the Intel Mac mini systems available for sale free of sales tax.

Please refer to the Ultimate Mac Comparison feature to dynamically compare any Mac mini model to any other G3 or later Mac.