Mac mini Server (Mid 2011)

Last year’s Mac mini Server was just a 2010 Mac mini with two hard drives and no SuperDrive. This year’s Server is actually a much more powerful computer with a quad-core Intel Core i7 CPU, twice the number of cores found in the consumer Mini. The 2011 Server ships with OS X 10.7 Lion Server and includes two 7200 rpm 500 GB hard drives. Not fast enough? You can also order with a 256 GB SSD and a 7200 rpm 750 GB hard drive – or even a pair of 256 GB SSDs!

2011 Mac mini Server

The Mac mini Server uses the same Intel HD Graphics 3000 as the entry-level consumer Mac mini. The 2011 Mac mini can use the same $79 USB SuperDrive as the MacBook Air.

rear panel of the 2011 Mac mini ServerAs with the 2010 model, there are four USB 2.0 ports, FireWire 800 remains (FireWire 400 devices can be used with a FireWire 800-to-400 cable or adapter), and there’s the addition of Thunderbolt, which can be used to connect monitors, drives, or other peripherals. The Mini also includes an HDMI port, the industry standard for high definition TVs, and it supports two displays. Completing the back panel are a power button plus audio in and out ports.

There are two memory sockets, both are filled with matching modules. The official maximum memory spec is 8 GB, but OWC has found that with the right modules, you can go to 16 GB.

The Mac mini doesn’t include a keyboard or mouse. Apple says buyers can plug in their favorite USB keyboard and mouse – or buy Apple’s offerings. Mac OS X includes support for remapping the Windows Alt and Option keys to Option and Cmd respectively.

Details

  • introduced 2011.07.20 at US$999
  • Part no.: MC936LL
  • Model Identifier: Macmini5,3

Mac OS

  • requires Mac OS X 10.7 or later. macOS 10.14 Mojave and later are not supported.
  • Mac OS X 10.8 Mountain Lion compatibility
    • AirPlay Mirroring is supported.
    • AirDrop is supported.
    • Power Nap is not supported.

Core System

  • CPU: 2.0 GHz quad-core Intel i7
  • L2 cache: 6 MB on CPU
  • Bus: 1333 MHz
  • RAM: 4 GB, expandable to 16 GB using two 1333MHz DDR3 SO-DIMMs
  • Performance, Geekbench 3:
    • 32-bit single core: 2201
    • 32-bit multicore: 7794
    • 64-bit single core: 2406
    • 64-bit multicore: 8577

Video

  • GPU: Intel HD 3000 Graphics
  • VRAM: 384 MB DDR3 SDRAM (shared with main memory)
  • Video out: Thunderbolt with resolution to 2560 x 1600, HDMI with resolution to and 1920 x 1200. HDMI-to-DVI adapter included.

Drives

  • drive bus: 6 Gbps SATA Rev. 3
  • hard drives: 2.5″ 500 GB 7200 rpm SATA standard; 750 GB hard drive and 256 GB SSD available on build-to-order basis
  • SSD: uses same SSD modules as MacBook Air
  • SuperDrive: optional external USB 2.0 drive

Expansion

  • Thunderbolt: 1 port
  • USB 2.0: 4 ports
  • FireWire 400 ports: 0
  • FireWire 800 ports: 1
  • Ethernet: 10/100/gigabit
  • WiFi: 802.11n AirPort Extreme built in
  • Bluetooth: BT 4.0 built in
  • SD Card slot: yes
  • IR receiver: supports Apple Remote (optional)
  • no internal modem; external USB modem available
  • Microphone: none

Physical

  • size: 1.4 x 7.7 x 7.7 in/36 x 197 x 197 mm
  • Weight: 3.0 lb./1.37 kg
  • Power supply: 85W internal power supply
  • PRAM battery: 3V CR2032 lithium

Upgrades

  • CPU can probably be replaced with a faster one.

Online Resources

searchword: macminiserver2011