What are the differences between the "Mid-2010" Aluminum "Unibody" Mac mini and the "Polycarbonate" Mac mini models replaced?

Please note that all models mentioned in this Q&A have been discontinued. The "Mid-2010" Mac mini models were replaced by the "Mid-2011" Mac mini models on July 20, 2011. For more recent comparison Q&As, please refer to the main Aluminum Mac mini Q&A page.

With even a quick glance, it is readily apparent that the "Mid-2010" Aluminum "Unibody" Mac mini models -- the Mac mini "Core 2 Duo" 2.4 (Mid-2010) and 2.66 Server (Mid-2010) -- have a number of major differences when compared to the "Late 2009" Mac mini -- the Mac mini "Core 2 Duo" 2.26, "Core 2 Duo" 2.53, and "Core 2 Duo" 2.53 (Server).

Both lines have small "cuboid" cases, but the "Late 2009" Mac mini uses a polycarbonate case that essentially is the same as all earlier Mac mini models whereas the "Mid-2010" Aluminum Mac mini models introduce a new case design milled from a single piece of aluminum.

In addition to material, the case dimensions are different as well. The polycarbonate models are 6.5 inches across and deep and 2 inches tall and the aluminum models are wider and shorter -- 7.7 inches across and deep and a miniscule 1.4 inches tall. The below images are not precisely to scale, but should provide an idea of the difference.

Photo Credit: Apple, Inc (Aluminum - Left, Polycarbonate - Right)

The aluminum case design, delightfully, is much easier to upgrade as well, with a "spin off" black plastic base on the bottom that can be removed quickly to access the RAM slots, compared to the earlier polycarbonate models which require inelegantly prying open the case with a putty knife.

At the time this Q&A was written (see top), these systems are easy to differentiate based on case design alone. However, for the benefit of future readers -- when such detailed identification information may be helpful -- the "Late 2009" Mac mini line has model number A1283 on the bottom (the "Early 2009" line shares this model number as well), but they have the unique EMC number of 2336 on the bottom, too. The "Mid-2010" line has model number A1347 on the bottom and EMC number 2364 on the inside (remove the bottom plate and look on the right hand side).

Another major point of differentiation is connectivity. Both lines have a Firewire "800" port, Gigabit Ethernet port, combined digital optical audio input and output minijacks, AirPort Extreme (802.11a/b/g/n), Bluetooth 2.1+EDR, and support a remote via IR (although a remote must be purchased separately for either).

However, the "Late 2009" line has five USB 2.0 ports compared to just four on the "Mid-2010" line and display connectivity is substantially different -- with a Mini-DVI and Mini DisplayPort for the "Late 2009" series and an HDMI port and Mini DisplayPort capable of passing an audio signal as well as video for the "Mid-2010." The "Mid-2010" line has an SD card slot too (and although Apple does not formally mention it, the SD card slot is SDXC capable).

Internally, the "Mid-2010" models have an internal power supply rather than an external "brick" like their predecessors, but with the exception of graphics processors, the underlying technology between the lines is quite similar. The "Mid-2010" line swaps the NVIDIA GeForce 9400M provided by the the "Late 2009" line with a faster NVIDIA GeForce 320M, but both graphics processors share 256 MB of memory with their respective system.

Both lines also have Intel "Core 2 Duo" processors with a 3 MB on-chip level 2 cache, a 1066 MHz frontside bus, and support a maximum of 8 GB of 1066 MHz PC3-8500 DDR3 SDRAM (the "Mid-2010" line officially supports up to 8 GB of RAM, although the "Late 2009" line unofficially does as well).

The server configurations from both lines swap the optical drive for a second hard drive -- and have a revised "slotless" case design -- and ship, or shipped, with a pre-installed copy of Mac OS X 10.6 "Snow Leopard" Server rather than the standard version of Mac OS X.

The precise differences in processor speed, pre-installed memory, hard drive, optical drive, and price for each "Late 2009" and "Mid-2010" Mac mini are summarized below.

The two "regular" configurations of the "Late 2009" Mac mini were consolidated into a single "Mid-2010" configuration with a US$100 higher price of entry:

	"Late 2009" Mac mini	"Mid-2010" Mac mini
Processor Type:	Core 2 Duo (P8400, P8700)	Core 2 Duo (P8600)
Processor Speed:	2.26, 2.53 GHz	2.4 GHz
Standard RAM:	2 GB, 4 GB	2 GB
RAM Access:	Putty Knife	No Tools
Hard Drive:	160 GB, 320 GB	320 GB
Optical Drive:	8X DL "SuperDrive"	8X DL "SuperDrive"
Video Type:	NVIDIA GeForce 9400M	NVIDIA GeForce 320M
Integrated VRAM:	256 MB†	256 MB†
USB Ports:	5 (2.0)	4 (2.0)
Display Ports:	Mini-DVI, Mini DisplayPort	HDMI, Mini DisplayPort*
SD Card:	No	SDXC
Power Supply:	External	Internal
Dimensions (In):	6.5" x 6.5" x 2"	7.7" x 7.7" x 1.4"
Case Material:	Polycarbonate	Aluminum
Apple Order No:	MC238LL/A, MC239LL/A	MC270LL/A
Apple Model No:	A1283	A1347
EMC No:	2336	2364
Original Price:	US$599, US$799	US$699

The server configuration is a modest "speed bump" with the new case design at the same price point:

Server	"Late 2009" Mac mini	"Mid-2010" Mac mini
Processor Type:	Core 2 Duo (P8700)	Core 2 Duo (P8800)
Processor Speed:	2.53 GHz	2.66 GHz
Standard RAM:	4 GB	4 GB
RAM Access:	Putty Knife	No Tools
Hard Drive:	500 GB x2	500 GB x2
Optical Drive:	None	None
Video Type:	NVIDIA GeForce 9400M	NVIDIA GeForce 320M
Integrated VRAM:	256 MB†	256 MB†
USB Ports:	5 (2.0)	4 (2.0)
Display Ports:	Mini-DVI, Mini DisplayPort	HDMI, Mini DisplayPort*
SD Card:	No	SDXC
Power Supply:	External	Internal
Dimensions (In):	6.5" x 6.5" x 2"	7.7" x 7.7" x 1.4"
Case Material:	Polycarbonate	Aluminum
Apple Order No:	MC408LL/A	MC438LL/A
Apple Model No:	A1283	A1347
EMC No:	2336	2364
Original Price:	US$999	US$999

* The Mini DisplayPort on the "Mid-2010" models is capable of passing an audio signal as well as a video signal.

† Both the NVIDIA GeForce 9400M and GeForce 320M graphics processors are "integrated" and share a minimum of 256 MB of RAM with the system for video function.

Although it may have a Windows bias, or an objective view, depending on your perspective -- it is safe to say that it does not place any particular value on Mac OS X -- you nevertheless may find this "Mid-2010" Mac mini "First Look" video from C|Net to be worthwhile as well:

Ultimately, those who need a relatively inexpensive desktop Mac -- particularly for television connectivity via the HDMI port -- or an inexpensive server, a "Mid-2010" Mac mini is a solid choice. For those on a tighter budget, discontinued Intel-based "polycarbonate" Mac mini models remain well worth consideration too.

Site sponsor PowerMax has new and used Mac mini models available for sale free of sales tax. Other World Computing sells Mac mini memory and hard drive upgrades at affordable prices.

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