Apple Mac mini "Core 2 Duo" 2.53 (Late 2009) Specs
Identifiers: Late 2009 - MC239LL/A - Macmini3,1 - A1283 - 2336
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The Apple Mac mini "Core 2 Duo" 2.53 (Late 2009) features a 2.53 GHz Intel "Core 2 Duo" (P8700) processor, a 3 MB on-chip level 2 cache, a 1066 MHz frontside bus, 4 GB of 1066 MHz DDR3 SDRAM (PC3-8500) memory, a 320 GB Serial ATA hard drive, a slot-loading 8X double-layer "SuperDrive", and a NVIDIA GeForce 9400M graphics processor with 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.
Late 2009 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. 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 "Late 2009" Mac mini "Core 2 Duo" configurations? What are the differences between these Mac mini models and the models 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.
| Introduction Date: |
October 20, 2009 |
Discontinued Date: |
June 15, 2010 |
| 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: |
3526/3866* |
| 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: |
2.53 GHz |
Processor Type: |
Core 2 Duo (P8700) |
| Details: |
The Intel "Core 2 Duo" (P8700) processor includes two independent processor "cores" on a single silicon chip.
Also see: How fast is the "Late 2009" Mac mini "Core 2 Duo" compared to earlier Mac mini models? |
| Custom Speeds: |
2.66 GHz |
Architecture: |
64-Bit |
| Details: |
This model also was available via custom configuration with a 2.66 GHz "Core 2 Duo" processor for an additional US$150.
As requested by readers, EveryMac.com also has documented this custom configuration as its own model. |
| 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 Intel Mac mini models? |
| System Bus Speed: |
1066 MHz |
Cache Bus Speed: |
2.53 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 Mac mini models? How much RAM of what type do they support? |
| Standard RAM: |
4 GB |
Maximum RAM: |
8 GB* |
| Details: |
By default, 4 GB is installed as two 2 GB modules. Via custom configuration, the lower-end Mac mini "Core 2 Duo" 2.26 (Late 2009) could be upgraded to a 2.53 GHz processor, but this model only has 2 GB of RAM by default.
*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.
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: |
2 |
| Video Card: |
GeForce 9400M |
VRAM Type: |
Integrated |
| Details: |
This model has a NVIDIA GeForce 9400M that shares memory with the system. |
| Standard VRAM: |
256 MB |
Maximum VRAM: |
256 MB |
| Details: |
*Apple reports that this model has 256 MB of memory shared with system memory. Please note that this is the minimum graphics memory usage 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: |
*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). |
| Standard Hard Drive: |
320 GB* |
Int. HD Interface: |
Serial ATA (3 Gb/s) |
| Details: |
*This model also could be equipped with a 500 GB hard drive for an additional US$100. Via custom configuration, the lower-end Mac mini "Core 2 Duo" 2.26 (Late 2009) could be upgraded to a 2.53 GHz processor, but this model only has a 160 GB hard drive by default.
Also see: How do you upgrade the hard drive in the Intel Mac mini 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 |
| 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 |
| 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: |
MC239LL/A |
Apple Subfamily: |
Late 2009 |
| Details: |
The Apple order number should be unique to this system. |
| Apple Model No: |
A1283 (EMC 2336) |
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 2336 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 |
| Pre-Installed MacOS: |
X 10.6 (10A432) |
Maximum MacOS: |
Current* |
| Details: |
*This system can run the latest version of OS X 10.8 "Mountain Lion," 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$799* |
Est. Current Retail: |
US$500-US$625 |
| Details: |
*Via custom configuration, the lower-end Mac mini "Core 2 Duo" 2.26 also could be upgraded to a 2.53 GHz processor, and that configuration cost US$749 but only was equipped stock with 2 GB of RAM and a 160 GB hard drive.
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. |
Global original prices for the Mac mini "Core 2 Duo" 2.53 (Late 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: |
C$899 |
United States: |
US$799* |
Original Prices - Europe
| Austria: |
€749 |
Belgium: |
N/A |
| Denmark: |
DKK 5,599 |
Finland: |
€749 |
| France: |
€749 |
Germany: |
€749 |
| Ireland: |
€749 |
Italy: |
€749 |
| Netherlands: |
€749 |
Norway: |
N/A |
| Portugal: |
€749 |
Spain: |
€729 |
| Sweden: |
SEK 7.995 |
Switzerland: |
CHF 999 |
Original Prices - Asia
| China: |
RMB 6,698 |
Hong Kong: |
HK$6,488 |
| Japan: |
¥84,900 |
Singapore: |
N/A |
Original Prices - Australia & New Zealand
| Australia: |
A$1099 |
New Zealand: |
NZ$1398 |
Ten of the most popular Q&As about the Mac mini models follow.
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