Apple Mac mini "Core Solo" 1.5 Specs (MA205LL/A)
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The Apple Mac mini "Core Solo" 1.5 features a 1.5 GHz Intel "Core Solo" processor (most likely a T1300), a 2 MB on-chip level 2 cache, a 667 MHz frontside bus, 512 MB of 667 MHz DDR2 SDRAM (PC2-5300) memory, a 5400 RPM, 60 GB Serial ATA hard drive, a slot-loading 8X single layer DVD/CD-RW Combo Drive, and an "Intel GMA950 graphics processor with 64 MB of DDR2 SDRAM shared with main memory."
Connectivity includes DVI (DVI-to-VGA adapter included) and 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. It lacks an internal 56k modem, but an external Apple USB Modem can be purchased for US$49.
Like the Mac mini G4 models, the internal components are cleverly 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.
The Mac mini "Core Solo" 1.5 also included an Apple Remote for use with Apple Front Row media organization software. The Mac mini "Core" systems shipped without a display, keyboard, or mouse, but numerous Apple and third-party options are available.
Also see: What are the differences between the Mac mini "Core Solo/Core Duo" models?
Buy This Mac -- and all other new & used Macs -- at site sponsor PowerMax!
Upgrade This Mac at site sponsor Other World Computing. Memory, drives, & more!
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: |
February 28, 2006 |
Discontinued Date: |
September 6, 2006 |
| 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. |
| Processor Type: |
Core Solo (T1300) |
Processor Speed: |
1.5 GHz |
| Details: |
The relevant Intel specifications page does not list a 1.5 GHz Core Solo processor, just the 1.66 GHz "T1300". It seems most plausible that the processor used in this model is a T1300 chip that failed to operate properly at 1.66 GHz and has been slightly downclocked to ensure stable performance.
Also see: How fast is the Mac mini "Core Solo/Core Duo" compared to the Mac mini G4? |
| Processor Upgrade: |
ZIF Socket |
FPU: |
Integrated |
| Details: |
Also see: Is it possible to upgrade the processor in the Mac mini "Core" models? |
| System Bus Speed: |
667 MHz |
Cache Bus Speed: |
1.5 GHz (Built-in) |
| Details: |
667 MHz frontside bus. |
| ROM/Firmware Type: |
EFI |
ROM/Firmware Size: |
2 MB |
| Details: |
Also see: Does the Mac mini "Core" have a ROM or BIOS? |
| L1 Cache: |
32k/32k |
L2/L3 Cache: |
2 MB (on chip) |
| Details: |
Includes a 2 MB shared "on chip" level 2 cache that runs at processor speed. |
| RAM Type: |
PC2-5300 DDR2 |
Min. RAM Speed: |
667 MHz |
| Details: |
Supports 667 MHz PC2-5300 DDR2 SO-DIMMs. Also see: How do you upgrade the RAM in the Intel-based Mac mini "Core" models? How much RAM of what type do they support? |
| Standard RAM: |
512 MB |
Maximum RAM: |
2.0 GB |
| Details: |
512 MB of RAM was installed as two 256 MB modules, no slots free.
Site sponsor Other World Computing sells Mac mini memory, as well as hard drives, accessories, and other upgrades. |
| Motherboard RAM: |
None |
RAM Slots: |
2 |
| Details: |
Apple recommends that one install RAM in matched pairs for optimum performance. Also see: What is the performance difference of the Mac mini "Core" using matched or unmatched RAM? |
| Video Card: |
Intel GMA 950 |
VRAM Type: |
Integrated |
| Details: |
Also see: Why are "integrated graphics" in the Mac mini "Core" considered to be inferior? |
| Standard VRAM: |
64 MB |
Maximum VRAM: |
64 MB |
| Details: |
Apple reports that "memory available to Mac OS X may vary depending on graphics needs. Minimum graphics memory usage is 80 MB, resulting in 432 MB of system memory available" with the default 512 MB installed. |
| Display Support: |
Single Display |
Resolution Support: |
1920x1200 |
| Details: |
The DVI video output supports digital resolutions up to 1920x1200. Apple also reports that it supports the "20-inch Apple Cinema display and 23-inch Apple Cinema HD display; supports coherent digital displays up to 154MHz; supports non-coherent digital displays up to 135MHz." VGA output (using the provided adapter) supports analog resolutions as high as 1920x1080. S-Video and composite video (to connect to a projector or TV) requires the Apple DVI to Video adapter (sold separately). |
| 2nd Display Support: |
None |
2nd Max. Resolution: |
N/A |
| Standard Hard Drive: |
60 GB (5400 RPM) |
Int. HD Interface: |
Serial ATA |
| Details: |
100 GB or 120 GB hard drives optional.
This model supports hard drives larger than 128 GB.
Also see: How do you upgrade the hard drive in the Mac mini "Core" models? What type of hard drive do they support? |
| Standard Optical: |
8X "Combo Drive" |
Standard Disk: |
N/A |
| Details: |
Apple reports that the slot-loading "combo" drive (DVD-ROM/CD-RW) "reads DVDs at up to 8x speed, writes CD-R discs at up to 24x speed, writes CD-RW discs at up to 16x speed, [and] reads CDs at up to 24x speed."
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 (56.6k v.92) available for US$49. Gigabit Ethernet standard. |
| Standard AirPort: |
802.11a/b/g |
Standard Bluetooth: |
2.0+EDR |
| Details: |
AirPort Extreme (802.11a/b/g) and Bluetooth 2.0+EDR standard. |
| USB Ports: |
4 (2.0) |
Firewire Ports: |
1 (400) |
| Details: |
Four USB 2.0 ports (up to 480 Mbps), one Firewire "400" port (8 watts).
Also see: Complete Ports. |
| Expansion Slots: |
None |
Expansion Bays: |
None |
| Incl. Keyboard: |
None |
Incl. Input: |
None |
| Details: |
Mac mini systems did not ship with a keyboard or mouse. Also see: What type of keyboards and mice does the Mac mini "Core" support? |
| 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 Model No: |
MA205LL/A |
Apple Subfamily: |
Early 2006 |
| Details: |
The Apple model number should be unique to this system. |
| Gestalt/Model ID: |
A1176 |
Machine Model: |
Macmini1,1 |
| Details: |
Please note that these identifiers refer to more than one model. |
| Battery Type: |
N/A |
Battery Life: |
N/A |
| Pre-Installed MacOS: |
X 10.4.5 (8H1619) |
Maximum MacOS: |
Current |
| Details: |
Please note that this system can run the current version of MacOS X as of the date last updated (see bottom of page). |
| MacOS 9 Support: |
None |
Windows Support: |
Boot/Virtualization |
| Details: |
Also see: Are there any third-party programs to run MacOS 9/Classic applications on Intel Macs?
Site sponsor OHS specializes in heavily upgraded Macs capable of running both MacOS X and MacOS 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. (1.32 kg) |
| Details: |
In inches - height by width by depth, (5.08 cm, 16.51 cm, 16.51 cm). |
| Original Price: |
US$599 |
Est. Current Retail: |
US$425-US$450 |
| Details: |
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 Computer. |
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