Low End Mac's Best Deals

Best Mac mini Prices

2012.11.03

Short link: http://bit.ly/Xw1yt

2012 Mac mini Apple updated the Mac mini in October, moving to a 2.5 GHz dual-core Intel i5 CPU and Ivy Bridge chipset on the entry-level model - and a very powerful 2.3 GHz quad-core i7 on the step-up Mini (and power hungry users can upgrade that to 2.6 GHz). 4 GB of memory is now standard with 16 GB max, the new models use Intel HD Graphics 4000, and the Mini finally gets USB 3, which has 10x the bandwidth of USB 2.0.

FireWire 800 remains, as does 802.11n WiFi, and Bluetooth 4.0 is a step up from last year's Mini. There's also a Server version that normally ships with two 1 TB hard drives. If you need an optical drive, you can add the external Apple USB SuperDrive for $79.

And brand new on all but the entry-level Mac mini is Fusion Drive, which couples a 128 GB SSD and a 1 TB hard drive to optimize drive performance far beyond what hybrid hard drives can.

For our take on the Late 2012 Mac mini, see The Late 2012 Mac mini Value Equation.

Redesigned 2010 Mac mini
The slimmer, wider 2010 Mac mini.

The one compelling reason to choose the Mid 2010 Mac mini is that it can run OS X 10.6 Snow Leopard and has a built-in SuperDrive. (There are ways to get 10.6 on the 2011 Mini, but it requires cloning Snow Leopard from another Mac.) If you're not ready for Lion - or are unwilling to go there - it's the last and best Mac mini option, and its Nvidia graphics may be better for gaming than the Intel HD Graphics in newer Minis.

The Late 2009 Mac mini was no slacker and had some advantages over the 2010 model - it can run Mac OS X 10.5 Leopard (the 2010 model requires 10.6 Snow Leopard) and has five USB 2.0 ports (vs. four now, but the 2010 and newer models also have a built-in SD Card reader).

The original Mac mini design
Original Mac mini design.

Mac OS X 10.5 Leopard is supported on all Mac mini models through 2009 with at least 512 MB of RAM; we recommend at least 1 GB in G4 Minis and 2 GB in Intel Minis for much better performance - and more always helps. Snow Leopard is supported on all Intel-powered Macs with at least 1 GB of RAM, and we recommend at least 2 GB for improved performance (we had 1 GB in our 2007 Mac mini for the longest time - upgrading to 3 GB made a huge difference). See the individual computer profiles (linked below) for a list of supported and unsupported Snow Leopard technologies (for instance, the Mac mini Core Solo cannot run in 64-bit mode, cannot use Grand Central Dispatch, and has no support for OpenCL).

OS X 10.7 Lion, which comes with the Mid 2011 model, is supported on all 2007 and later models. Earlier models use Intel Core Solo or Core Duo CPUs, which are 32-bit only and cannot run Lion, which is a 64-bit operating system.

OS X 10.8 Mountain Lion requires an Early 2009 or newer Mac mini.

We think the Mac mini is quite the value and use a 2.0 GHz 2007 Mini as one our production Macs at Low End Mac headquarters. Keep in mind that the mini ships with no mouse or keyboard. The Mac mini can be ordered with a Apple's keyboard and mouse, but that's a lot to spend for a mouse and keyboard. We're big fans of some of the better Logitech keyboards and mice, as well as the Macally KeySlim USB 2.0 keyboard, all of which we also use at Low End Mac headquarters.

Apple recommends that anything going inside the mini be installed by an authorized Apple dealer, although user installation of memory will not void the warranty. Getting inside the Mac mini to add RAM or upgrade the hard drive is a bit tricky with pre-2010 models, and a lot easier with the new design - especially upgrading memory.

For those seeking more power on a budget, the Core Solo or Core Duo CPU in the 2006 models can be replaced by a faster Core Duo or the newer, faster Core 2 Duo. We do not recommend buying the Core Solo Mac mini unless you plan to upgrade the CPU, as it is widely reported as being very sluggish with its single-core CPU. Note that upgrading to a Core 2 CPU does not allow use of more than 2 GB of RAM, nor will it allow these Minis to run Lion.

The 1.42 GHz and 1.5 GHz G4 models shipped with 512 MB of RAM, and the Intel-based models don't include a modem.

Many of the dealers listed offer free ground shipping on new units. Best deals factor in estimated ground shipping costs. Used Macs usually include a 90 day warranty. Used minis do not include mouse or keyboard.

Best Used Mac mini G4 Prices

1.25 GHz G4 Combo, $200, MacResource
1.42 GHz G4 Combo, $249 shipped, PowerMax
1.5 GHz G4 Combo, $244, DV Warehouse

Best Used Intel Mac mini Prices

1.66 GHz Core Duo, $325, DV Warehouse
1.83 GHz Core Duo SD, $375, MegaMacs
1.83 GHz Core 2 SD, $450, MegaMacs
2.0 GHz Core 2 SD, $499, DV Warehouse
2.3 GHz dual i5, $529 shipped, PowerMax
2.53 GHz Core 2 SD, $629 shipped, PowerMax
2.66 GHz Core 2 Server, $575, MacResource
2.0 GHz quad i7 Server, $729 shipped, PowerMax

Best Close-out Mac mini Prices

2.3 GHz i5, $529 shipped, B&H
2.5 GHz i5, $778 shipped, B&H
2.0 GHz quad i7 Server, $999 shipped, Amazon.com

Best New Mac mini Prices

2.5 GHz dual i5, $594 shipped, B&H, MacMall, PC Connection (Low End Mac earns more when you buy from MacMall or PC Connection)
2.3 GHz quad i7, $794 shipped, B&H, MacMall, PC Connection (Low End Mac earns more when you buy from MacMall or PC Connection)
2.6 GHz quad i7, $899 shipped, B&H
2.3 GHz quad i7 Server, $989 shipped, PC Connection

Recent Prices on Memory Upgrades

Prices are per module unless otherwise noted.

G4 (one slot): 512 MB, $11.99; 1 GB, $23.99
2006/07, PC5300: 1 GB, $15.99; 2 GB kit, $30.99
2007, PC5300: 3 GB kit, $42.99; 4 GB kit, $56.79 (can only address 3 GB, but some feel matched memory modules improve performance)
2009/10, 1066 DDR3: 2 GB, $11.999; 4 GB, $25.79; 4 GB kit, $21.79; 6 GB kit, $37.99; 8 GB kit, $49.79
2011, PC10600: 2 GB, $12.99; 4 GB, $25.99; 4 GB kit, $21.99; 8 GB kit, $49.79; 12 GB kit, $79.99; 16 GB kit, $104.99
2012, PC12800: 4 GB, $24.99; 8 GB, $57.99; 8 GB kit, $49.99; 12 GB kit, $81.99; 16 GB kit, $107.99

Mac OS X and OS X Server Prices

Unless otherwise noted, there is no surcharge for credit card purchases and shipping is not included. Vendors are listed in alphabetical order.

Factory refurbished items carry an Apple one year warranty and are eligible for AppleCare. Store refurbished items may vary. Prices may be limited to quantity on hand. Not responsible for typos. Please email any corrections or additional sources with competitive prices to Dan Knight .

Buying through some of these links benefits Low End Mac. Buying at these prices benefits you.

G4

Early 2005 - 1.25/1.42 GHz: 256 MB RAM (expandable to 1 GB); Radeon 9200 graphics with 32 MB; 4 USB ports; Bluetooth and AirPort may or may not be included; external power supply
Late 2005 - 1.33/1.5 GHz: 512 MB RAM; Bluetooth, AirPort, and 64 MB video RAM standard on 1.5 GHz model

Intel

Early 2006 - 1.5 GHz/1.66 GHz Core Solo/Duo: 512 MB RAM (expandable to 2 GB); Intel GMA 950 integrated graphics; 5 USB ports; Bluetooth and AirPort standard; cannot run OS X 10.7 Lion
Late 2006 - 1.66/1.83 GHz Core Duo: faster version of Early 2006 Mini; cannot run OS X 10.7 Lion
Mid 2007 - 1.83/2.0 GHz Core 2: expandable to 3 GB; supports OS X 10.7 Lion; cannot run OS X 10.8 Mountain Lion
Early 2009 - 2.0 GHz Nvidia: 2.26 GHz build-to-order option; 1-2 GB RAM (expandable to 8 GB); GeForce 9400M graphics; requires OS X 10.5 Leopard or newer
Late 2009 - 2.26/2.53 GHz Nvidia: faster version of Early 2009 Mini; shipes with OS X 10.6 Snow Leopard but will run 10.5 Leopard
Mid 2010 - 2.4/2.66 GHz Unibody: requires OS X 10.6 Snow Leopard; new design eliminates external power supply; GeForce 320M graphics; 5 USB ports
Mid 2011 - 2.3-2.7 GHz : dual-core Intel Core i5/i7; expandable to 16 GB RAM; adds Thunderbolt; Intel HD 3000 graphics on 2.3 GHz, Radeon HD 6630M graphics with 256 MB dedicated video RAM on 2.5 GHz and faster
Mid 2011 Server: same as faster Mid 2011 but with 2.0 GHz quad-core i7
Late 2012 - 2.5 GHz i5/2.3-2.6 GHz i7 : dual-core Intel Core i5/quad-core i7; expandable to 16 GB RAM; gains USB 3 and Bluetooth 4.0; Intel HD 4000 graphics
Late 2012 Server: same as faster Mid 2012 but with two hard drives and OS X Server installed

New, Open Box, and Demo

Prices include free ground shipping unless noted "+ sh".

	Amazon.com	B&H	Buy.com	J&R	MacMall	PC Connection	PowerMax
2011 Mac mini
2.3 GHz i5, 2/500	$599	$529	$549.95	$549.95			$549
2.5 GHz i5, 4/500		$777.95
2.0 GHz Server, 4/2x500	$999			$1,149
2012 Mac mini
2.5 GHz i5, 4/500	$599	$594		$599	$594	$594	$599
2.3 GHz i7, 4/1 TB	$799	$794		$799	$794	$794	$799
2.6 GHz i7, 4/1 TB		$899			$1,144
2.3 GHz Server, 4/2x51 TB	$999	$994		$999	$994	$989	$999
Apple USB SuperDrive	$69.99	$70.85			$79	$79 + sh	$79 + sh

Amazon.com collects sales tax on orders shipped to KS, KY, ND, NY, and WA.
MacMall collects sales tax on orders shipped to CA, IL, MN, TN, and WI.
PC Connection collects sales tax on orders shipped to AL, IL, NC, NJ, NY, and OH.

Used & Store Refurbished G4 Minis

Used and store refurbished Macs are covered by a store warranty and are not eligible for AppleCare.

DV Warehouse

Shipping may add $18 or more.

used 1.25 GHz G4, 512/40/Combo, $229
used 1.5 GHz G4, 512/60/Combo, $244

PowerMax

Keyboard and mouse not included. Free ground shipping.

used 1.25 GHz G4 Combo, 512/40, $239 shipped
used 1.42 GHz G4 Combo, 1 GB/80, $249 shipped
used 1.42 GHz G4 SD, 512/80, $299 shipped
used 1.5 GHz G4 Combo, 512/40, $289 shipped
many other configurations listed

Used & Store Refurbished Intel Minis

Used and store refurbished Macs are covered by a store warranty and are not eligible for AppleCare.

DV Warehouse

Shipping may add $18 or more.

used 1.66 GHz Core Duo, 512/60/Combo, $378
used 1.66 GHz Core 2, 1 GB/80/Combo, $449
used 2.0 GHz Core 2, 1 GB/120/SD, $499

MegaMacs

30 day warranty. OS X 10.7 installed. Ground shipping may add $15 or more.

used 1.83 GHz Core 2, 2 GB/80/SD, wireless Apple keyboard and mouse, $449.99

PowerMax

Keyboard and mouse not included. Free ground shipping.

used 1.5 GHz Core Solo, 1 GB/60/SD, APX, $389 shipped
used 1.66 GHz Core Duo, 2 GB/60/Combo, $429 shipped
used 1.83 GHz Core Duo, 512/80/SD, $439 shipped
used 1.83 GHz Core 2, 1 GB/80/Combo, $489 shipped
used 2.3 GHz dual-core i5, 2 GB/500/no optical, $529 shipped
used 2.53 GHz Core 2, 4 GB/320/SD, $629 shipped
used 2.0 GHz quad-core i7 Server, 2 GB/2x500/no optical, $729 shipped
many other configurations listed

Enjoy the compact power.

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