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Low End Mac

Best Mac mini Prices

Daniel Knight - 2016.01.31

Apple last updated the Mac mini in Late 2014, moving to a 1.4 GHz dual-core low-power Intel i5 CPU that can Turbo Boost to 2.6 GHz on the entry-level model and a very powerful 2.6 GHz i5 on the “better” Mini (power hungry users can upgrade that to a 2.8 GHz i5 or 3.0 GHz i7). System memory can no longer be upgraded after purchase.

Mac miniFireWire 800 is gone, but it has two Thunderbolt 2 ports, four USB 3.0, Gigabit Ethernet, 802.11ac WiFi, and Bluetooth 4.0. If you need an optical drive, you can add the external Apple USB SuperDrive for $79.

You can buy your Mini with Apple’s 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 provide.

The Late 2014 Mac mini originally shipped with OS X 10.10 Yosemite and can be upgraded for free to 10.11 El Capitan.

Older Minis

Redesigned 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 thus PowerPC software) 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 Early 2009 and Late 2009 Mac mini are no slackers and have 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). These are also the oldest Minis compatible with OS X 10.8 Mountain Lion (and 10.9 Mavericks and 10.10 Yosemite, both of which are free downloads from the Mac App Store).

Operating Systems

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 better performance – and still more memory helps more. Leopard is the last version G4 Minis can run.

OS X 10.6 Snow Leopard is supported on all Intel-powered Macs introduced prior to 2011 with at least 1 GB of RAM, and we recommend at least 2 GB for better performance (we had 1 GB in our 2007 Mac mini – upgrading 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 shipped 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, 10.9 Mavericks, and 10.10 Yosemite require an Early 2009 or newer Mac mini.

Overall Usability

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 Apple’s $49 USB keyboard and $69 Magic 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 iKeySlim (under $30 shipped from Amazon.com), 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 a 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 OS X 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.

G4 Mac minis

PowerPC Macs aren’t obsolete, but neither are they up-to-date. With used G4 Minis starting as low as $125, there’s never been a better time to pick one up. With 512 MB of RAM, it will run OS X 10.4 Tiger decently, and upgraded to 1 GB (its maximum), OS X 10.5 Leopard.

You really can get by with a 40 GB hard drive, and the Radeon graphics in the G4 Minis are superior to the GMA 950 graphics in early Intel Minis. The Mini has DVI output, and with a DVI-to-video adapter, you can connect the Mac mini to TV via S-video or composite video, making it a fairly inexpensive home media center.

If you have a spare mouse, monitor, and keyboard, it can also make a good student computer.

Best Mac mini Prices

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, $90, MegaMacs
  • 1.42 GHz G4 Combo, $199, DV Warehouse

Best Used Intel Mac mini Prices

  • 1.83 GHz Core Duo, $189 shipped, PowerMax
  • 1.83 GHz Core 2, $199 shipped, PowerMax
  • 2.0 GHz Core 2, $176, Wegener Media
  • 2.4 GHz Core 2, $313, Wegener Media
  • 2.53 GHz Core 2, $299, Mac of All Trades
  • 2.3 GHz Core i5, $399, Mac of All Trades
  • 1.4 GHz Core i5, $420, Wegener Media
  • 2.5 GHz Core i5, $529, PowerMax
  • 2.53 GHz Core i5, $579, DV Warehouse
  • 2.8 GHz Core i5, $899, Mac of All Trades
  • 3.0 GHz Core i5, $929, PowerMax
  • 2.3 GHz Core i7 quad, $999, DV Warehouse

Best New Mac mini Prices

  • 1.4 GHz i5, $459 shipped, MacMall
  • 2.6 GHz i5, $650 shipped, B&H
  • 2.8 GHz i5, $934 shipped, MacMall
  • 3.0 GHz i7, $1,170 shipped, B&H

Recent Prices on Memory Upgrades

Prices are per module at Other World Computing unless otherwise noted.

  • G4 (one slot): 512 MB, $8.99; 1 GB, $12.99
  • 2006/07, PC5300: 1 GB, $9.99; 2 GB kit, $17.88
  • 2007, PC5300: 3 GB kit, $26.79; 4 GB kit, $35.99 (2007 Mini can only access 3 GB, but matched memory modules improve performance slightly)
  • 2009/10, 1066 DDR3: 2 GB, $16.99; 4 GB, $31.88; 8 GB, $58.79 (2010 only); 4 GB kit, $29.75; 6 GB kit, $47; 8 GB kit, $58; 16 GB kit, $112 (2010 only)
  • 2011, PC10600: 2 GB, $16.99; 4 GB, $31.79; 4 GB kit, $29.99; 8 GB kit, $56.50; 12 GB kit, $84; 16 GB kit, $106.75
  • 2012, PC12800: 4 GB, $30.99; 8 GB, $59.99; 8 GB kit, $58; 12 GB kit, $86.50; 16 GB kit, $108
  • 2014: Memory cannot be upgraded

Mac OS X 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.

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

2009 and Newer Minis can run OS X 10.8, 10.9, 10.10, and 10.11.

  • 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; ships with OS X 10.6 Snow Leopard but can 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
  • Late 2014: entry-level Mini has 1.4 GHz CPU with incredible Turbo Boost performance to 2.7 GHz. Faster CPUs, RAM no longer expandable.

New, Open Box, and Demo

Prices include free ground shipping unless noted “+ sh”. (a/r indicates after mail-in rebate.)

Amazon.com B&H MacMall PowerMax
2014 Mac mini
1.4 GHz i5, 4/500 $449.99 $449.99 $464.99 $489
1.4 GHz i5, 8/500 $568 $568
2.6 GHz i5, 8/1 TB $649.99 $649.99 $659 $689
2.6 GHz i5, 8/256 SSD $839 $837
2.6 GHz i5, 16/1 TB Fusion $849 $864
2.8 GHz i5, 8/1 TB Fusion  $929 $929  $989
3.0 GHz i7, 8/1 TB Fusion $979.99
3.0 GHz i7, 16/1 TB Fusion $979.99 $1,334
Apple USB SuperDrive $77 $77 $77.98 $79 + sh
  • Amazon.com collects sales tax on orders shipped to AZ, CA, CT, FL, GA, IL, IN, KS, KY, MD, MA, MI, MN, NV, NJ, NY, NC, ND, OH, PA, SC, TN, TX, VA, WA, WV, and WI.
  • MacMall collects sales tax on orders shipped to CA, IL, MN, TN, and WI.

Used Intel Minis

Used Macs are covered by a store warranty only.

DV Warehouse

Shipping may add $18 or more.

  • 1.83 GHz Core Duo, 1/80/Combo, $199
  • 2.0 GHz Core 2, 2/60/Combo, $239
  • 2.4 GHz Core 2, 4/320/no SD, $449
  • 2.3 GHz Core i5, 4/500/no SD, $485
  • 2.53 GHz Core i5, 4/500/no SD, $579
  • 2.3 GHz Core i7 quad, 4/1 TB, $999

ExperCom

Ground shipping may add $19 or more. ExperCom collects sales tax on orders shipped within UT.

  • none listed today

L A Computer Company

Mac minis are on 2nd page.

  • 2.66 GHz Core 2, 8/500/SD, $388
  • 2.5 GHz Core i5, 4/500/no SD, $549

Mac of All Trades

Ground shipping may add $20 or more. Mac of All Trades collects sales tax on orders shipped within FL. It has the highest product turnover of any used Mac dealer we track.

  • 1.83 GHz Core 2, 1/80/SD, $199
  • 2.4 GHz Core 2/Nvidia, 2/320/SD, $349
  • 2.53 GHz Core 2, 4/320/SD, $299
  • 2.3 GHz Core i5, 2/500/no SD, $399
  • 2.8 GHz Core i5, 8/1 TB Fusion/no SD, $899
  • 3.0 GHz Core i7 dual, 8/512 SSD/no SD, $1,249

Operator Headgap

Operator Headgap thoroughly refurbishes and tests every Mac they sell. When buying, please let them know you heard about them on Low End Mac when entering your shipping information. Thanks!

  • 1.66 GHz Core Duo, 1/80/SD, keyboard, mouse, $379.77
  • 2.0 GHz Core 2, 1/120/SD, keyboard, mouse, $429.77 shipped
  • 2.4 GHz Core 2/Nvidia, 4/320/SD, $499.77 shipped

Other World Computing

Free UPS ground shipping.

  • 2.3 GHz Core i5, 2/500/no SD, $459 shipped
  • 2.5 GHz Core i5, 4/500/no SD, $559 shipped
  • 2.0 GHz Core i7 quad, 8/2 x 256 SSD/no SD, $979 shipped
  • 2.3 GHz Core i7 quad, 16/1 TB/no SD, $1,099 shipped
  • many other configurations listed

PowerMax

Ground shipping may add $20 or more. Keyboard and mouse not included.

  • 1.66 GHz Core Duo, 1/80/SD, $209
  • 1.83 GHz Core Duo, 1/80/Combo, $189
  • 1.83 GHz Core Duo, 1/80/SD, $219
  • 1.83 GHz Core 2, 1/80/Combo, $199
  • 1.83 GHz Core 2, 2/80/Combo, $209
  • 1.83 GHz Core 2, 1/80/SD, $229
  • 2.0 GHz Core 2, 1/120/SD, $239
  • 2.0 GHz Core 2/Nvidia, 1/120/SD, $399
  • 2.26 GHz Core 2/Nvidia, 2/160/SD, $429
  • 2.4 GHz Core 2/Nvidia, 2/250/SD, $529
  • 2.3 GHz Core i5, 2/500/no SD, $479
  • 2.5 GHz Core i5, 4/500/no SD, $529
  • 3.0 GHz Core i5, 16/256 SSD/no SD, $929
  • pages and pages of other configurations listed

Wegener Media

Ground shipping may add $12.50 or more.

  • 2.0 GHz Core 2, 2/60/Combo, $175.60
  • 2.4 GHz Core 2/Nvidia, 2/320/SD, $312.55
  • 1.4 GHz Core i5, 4/500/no SD, $419.50

Used G4 Minis

Used Macs are covered by a store warranty only.

DV Warehouse

Shipping may add $18 or more.

  • 1.25 GHz G4, 512 MB/40/Combo, $179
  • 1.42 GHz G4, 51 MB/60/Combo, $199

MegaMacs

30 day warranty. Ground shipping may add $15 or more.

  • 1.25 GHz G4, 512 MB/40/Combo, $89.99

PowerMax

Ground shipping may add $20 or more. Keyboard and mouse not included.

  • 1.25 GHz G4, 1/40/Combo, $149

Wegener Media

Ground shipping may add $12.50 or more.

  • 1.25 GHz G4 Combo, 512 MB/40/Combo, $114.79

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