Mac mini "Core 2 Duo" 2.26 (Early 2009) Specs (Early 2009, BTO/CTO, Macmini3,1, A1283, 2264) @ EveryMac.com

Apple Mac mini "Core 2 Duo" 2.26 (Early 2009) Specs

Identifiers: Early 2009 - BTO/CTO - Macmini3,1 - A1283 - 2264

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Apple Mac mini The Mac mini "Core 2 Duo" 2.26 (Early 2009/NVIDIA) technically is a "build-to-order" configuration of the Mac mini "Core 2 Duo" 2.0 (Early 2009/NVIDIA), but also is documented as a separate model for reader convenience. Other than processor, these two models are identical.

The Apple Mac mini "Core 2 Duo" 2.26 (Early 2009/NVIDIA) features a 2.26 GHz Intel "Core 2 Duo" (P8400) processor, a 3 MB on-chip level 2 cache, a 1066 MHz frontside bus, 1 GB or 2 GB of 1066 MHz DDR3 SDRAM (PC3-8500) memory, a 120 GB or 320 GB Serial ATA hard drive, a slot-loading 8X double-layer "SuperDrive", and a NVIDIA GeForce 9400M graphics processor with either 128 MB or 256 MB of memory shared with the system.

Connectivity includes Mini-DVI and Mini DisplayPort, a Firewire "800" port, five 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 (802.11a/b/g/n) and Bluetooth 2.1+EDR.

Although at first glance the Mac mini "Core 2 Duo" 2.0 (Early 2009/NVIDIA) models look identical to the Mid-2007 models, they are quite different -- with a faster internal architecture that uses a faster system bus and faster memory as well as improved graphics and dual display support, the first time that dual displays have been supported by the Mac mini series. Connectivity is enhanced as well, with a Mini-DVI and a Mini DisplayPort (in lieu of a single DVI port) and 5 USB 2.0 ports (up from 4 on the previous system) and a Firewire "800" port (instead of a Firewire "400" port).

All Mac mini models have the internal components 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. Additionally, all Mac mini systems ship without a display, keyboard, or mouse, but numerous Apple and third-party options are available.

Also see:

What are the differences between the "Early 2009/NVIDIA" Mac mini "Core 2 Duo" configurations?
What are the differences between the "Early 2009/NVIDIA" Mac mini "Core 2 Duo" and the Mac mini models they replaced?

Buy This Mac -- and all other new & used Macs -- at site sponsor PowerMax.

Buy This Mac and much more at site sponsor MegaMacs.

Upgrade This Mac at site sponsor Other World Computing. Memory, drives & more.

Fix This Mac -- free diagnosis and affordable 24-hour repair at site sponsor Mission Repair.

Click on the underlined category text for related details. The most commonly needed info is "open" by default, but all info is important.

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Introduction Date:

March 3, 2009

Discontinued Date:

October 20, 2009

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 2009.

Processors:

1 (2 Cores)

Geekbench:

3098/3460*

Details:

*These Geekbench 2 benchmarks are in 32-bit and 64-bit modes, respectively.

Geekbench 2 benchmarks reflect results as submitted to the Geekbench website. Higher numbers are better. Individual user-submitted benchmarks can vary, but an average can be useful to get an idea of the relative performance of different Macs. You also might be interested in combing through all Geekbench user-submissions for Macs with the Macmini3,1 Model Identifier, which may include multiple models.

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

Processor Speed:

2.26 GHz

Processor Type:

Core 2 Duo (P8400)

Details:

The Intel "Core 2 Duo" (P8400) processor includes two independent processor "cores" on a single silicon chip.

Custom Speeds:

N/A

Architecture:

64-Bit

Details:

N/A

Processor Upgrade:

Soldered

FPU:

Integrated

Details:

The processor is soldered directly to the motherboard.

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

System Bus Speed:

1066 MHz

Cache Bus Speed:

2.26 GHz (Built-in)

Details:

1066 MHz frontside bus.

ROM/Firmware Type:

EFI

EFI Architecture:

64-Bit

Details:

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

L1 Cache:

32k/32k

L2/L3 Cache:

3 MB (on chip)

Details:

Includes a 3 MB shared "on chip" level 2 cache that runs at processor speed.

RAM Type:

PC3-8500 DDR3

Min. RAM Speed:

1066 MHz

Details:

Supports 1066 MHz PC3-8500 DDR3 SO-DIMMs. Also see: How do you upgrade the RAM in the polycarbonate Intel-based Mac mini "Core" models? How much RAM of what type do they support?

Standard RAM:

1 GB, 2 GB*

Maximum RAM:

8 GB*

Details:

*The default configurations of the stock Mac mini "Core 2 Duo" 2.0 (Early 2009) were offered with either 1 GB or 2 GB of RAM and this custom configuration likewise could be equipped the same. Officially, this model is capable of supporting 4 GB of RAM, but as first reported by MacminiColo, this model unofficially can use 8 GB of RAM after applying EFI Firmware Update 1.2.

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

In Canada, site sponsor The Mac Market sells memory and other upgrades for this Mac mini.

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

In Southeast Asia, site sponsor SimplyMac.sg 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:

N/A

Video Card:

GeForce 9400M

VRAM Type:

Integrated

Details:

This model has a NVIDIA GeForce 9400M that shares memory with the system.

Standard VRAM:

128 MB, 256 MB*

Maximum VRAM:

256 MB*

Details:

*Apple reports that the default configurations of the stock Mac mini "Core 2 Duo" 2.0 (Early 2009) have 128 MB or 256 MB of memory shared with the system, and this custom configuration can be equipped in the same way. However, installing another 1 MB memory module in the low-end configuration will automatically increase the shared VRAM to 256 MB. Please also note that this is the minimum graphics memory usage with each configuration but the memory available to MacOS X "may vary depending on graphics needs".

Display Support:

Dual Displays

Resolution Support:

1920x1200*

Details:

*This model simultaneously supports 1920x1200 on a DVI or VGA display using the Mini-DVI port and 2560x1600 on a dual-link DVI display using the Mini DisplayPort (with an optional Mini DisplayPort to Dual-Link DVI adapter).

2nd Display Support:

Dual/Mirroring*

2nd Max. Resolution:

2560x1600*

Details:

Standard Hard Drive:

120, 320 GB*

Int. HD Interface:

Serial ATA (3 Gb/s)

Details:

*The default configurations of the stock Mac mini "Core 2 Duo" 2.0 (Early 2009) were offered with either a 120 GB or 320 GB hard drive and this custom configuration likewise could be equipped the same. Both hard drives are 5400 RPM. The low-end hard drive also could be upgraded via custom configuration with a 250 GB hard drive for US$100 extra and a 320 GB hard drive for US$175 extra.

Also see: How do you upgrade the hard drive in the Mac mini "Core" models? What type of hard drive do they support? Is it possible to replace the optical drive with a second hard drive?

Site sponsor Mission Repair offers free diagnosis of Mac mini hardware problems and a 24-hour repair service for this Mac mini. A hard drive upgrade service and more are provided.

Standard Optical:

8X DL "SuperDrive"

Standard Disk:

None

Details:

Apple reports that the slot-loading 8X double-layer SuperDrive "writes DVD+R DL and DVD-R DL discs at up to 6x speed, writes DVD-R and DVD+R discs at up to 8x speed, writes DVD-RW discs at up to 6x speed, writes DVD+RW discs at up to 8x speed, reads DVDs at up to 8x speed, writes CD-R and CD-RW discs at up to 24x speed, reads CDs at up to 24x speed."

This model uses an SATA connector for the optical drive.

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 offered for US$49.

Standard AirPort:

802.11a/b/g/n

Standard Bluetooth:

2.1+EDR

Details:

AirPort Extreme (802.11a/b/g/n) and Bluetooth 2.1+EDR standard.

USB Ports:

5 (2.0)

Firewire Ports:

1 (800)

Details:

Five 480-Mbps USB 2.0 ports, one Firewire "800" port.

Expansion Slots:

None

Expansion Bays:

None

Details:

N/A

Incl. Keyboard:

None

Incl. Input:

None

Details:

No Mac mini systems ship with a keyboard or mouse.

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:

BTO/CTO

Apple Subfamily:

Early 2009

Details:

As this model technically is a custom configuration of the Mac mini "Core 2 Duo" 2.0 (Early 2009), it does not have its own order number.

Apple Model No:

A1283 (EMC 2264)

Model ID:

Macmini3,1

Details:

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

Also see: All Macs with the A1283 Model Number, the 2264 EMC Number, and the Macmini3,1 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 10.5.6 (9G2030)

Maximum MacOS:

Current*

Details:

*This system can run the latest version of OS X 10.8 "Mountain Lion" if at least 2 GB of RAM is installed, although it does not support the AirDrop or AirPlay Mirroring features. It does support "OpenCL" and Grand Central Dispatch introduced with Mac OS X 10.6 "Snow Leopard," although it is not supported booting in 64-bit mode when running this version of the operating system. Please also note that OS X Lion and OS X Mountain Lion are not capable of running Mac OS X apps originally written for the PowerPC processor as neither supports the "Rosetta" environment.

Minimum Windows:

XP SP2 (32-Bit)*

Maximum Windows:

7 (32-Bit, 64-Bit)**

Details:

*Apple's Boot Camp only supports the 32-Bit version of Windows XP SP2 or higher.

**Apple formally does not support Windows beyond the 32-Bit version of 7 on this model. However, the system does meet Microsoft's minimum requirements for the 64-bit version of Windows 7 and readers have reported successfully running the 32-Bit and 64-Bit version of the operating system with appropriate drivers. MacOS X 10.6 "Snow Leopard" is required to run Windows 7 via Boot Camp.

Also see: Which Intel Macs are capable of booting the 32-Bit and 64-Bit versions of Windows XP, Windows Vista, and Windows 7? Which are supported by Apple's Boot Camp?

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?

Site sponsor OHS specializes in heavily upgraded Macs capable of running both Mac OS X and Mac OS 9 applications.

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. (1.31 kg)

Details:

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

Original Price (US):

US$749, US$949*

Est. Current Retail:

US$500-US$575

Details:

*This refers to the default 2.0 GHz configurations -- MB463LL/A, equipped with 1 GB of RAM, a 120 GB hard drive, and 128 MB of RAM allocated for graphics and MB464LL/A, equipped with 2 GB of RAM, a 320 GB hard drive, and 256 MB of RAM allocated for graphics, each upgraded with the 2.26 GHz "Core 2 Duo" (P8400) processor. The processor upgrade cost an additional US$150 for both configurations.

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, Inc.

Click on the underlined category text 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):

Floppy (Ext.):

None

Details:

*1 Mini-DVI and 1 Mini DisplayPort.

Supports dual simultaneous displays -- 1920x1200 on a DVI or VGA display using the Mini-DVI port and 2560x1600 on a dual-link DVI display using the Mini DisplayPort (with an optional Mini DisplayPort to Dual-Link DVI adapter). Includes a Mini-DVI to DVI adapter.

ADB:

None

SCSI:

None

Details:

N/A

Serial (Standard):

None

Serial (Geoport):

None

Details:

N/A

USB:

5 (2.0)

Firewire:

1 (800)

Details:

Five 480-Mbps USB 2.0 ports, one Firewire "800" port.

Modem:

None

Ethernet:

1 (RJ-45)

Details:

External Apple USB Modem (56.6k v.92) offered for US$49. Gigabit Ethernet, AirPort Extreme (802.11g/n), and Bluetooth 2.1+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 2 Duo" 2.26 (Early 2009) in 24 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 America

Canada:

N/A

United States:

US$749, US$949*

Original Prices - Europe

Austria:

N/A

Belgium:

N/A

Denmark:

N/A

Finland:

N/A

France:

N/A

Germany:

N/A

Ireland:

N/A

Italy:

N/A

Netherlands:

N/A

Norway:

N/A

Portugal:

N/A

Spain:

N/A

Sweden:

N/A

Switzerland:

N/A

United Kingdom:

N/A

Original Prices - Asia

China:

N/A

Hong Kong:

N/A

Japan:

N/A

Singapore:

N/A

Taiwan:

N/A

Original Prices - Australia & New Zealand

Australia:

N/A

New Zealand:

N/A

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

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