Q. What memory and drives fit my Mac Mini?

Apple Mac Mini models have gone through several design changes over the years. They have become slimmer, and recently Apple has dropped the Optical drive from the while Mini model line (which they had earlier done with the Server configurations). G4 Minis had a single slot for a desktop style DIMM RAM module, Intel machines have two slots for laptop-style RAM.

Earlier Minis and G4 Minis required the use of some paint scrapers as prying tools to disengage the aluminum body from the plastic chassis – its not too hard to do but is definitely an acquired skill. Later Minis have an easily removable circular base plate for access to the RAM.  Intel Minis support Dual Channel memory access mode when two matching modules are installed.

Lists of RAM and drive compatibility for all Macs

Model / Identifier CPU/ Speed/ Screen/ Date/ Designation RAM Type & Speed Maximum RAM Hard Drive / SSD
Mac Mini
PowerMac10,1
G4 1.25 GHz (Early 2005 M9686LL/A, A1103) DDR PC2700 DIMM 1 GB (1 x 1G) 2.5″ PATA hard drive
Mac Mini
PowerMac10,1
G4 1.42 GHz (Early 2005 M9687LL/A, A1103) DDR PC2700 DIMM 1 GB (1 x 1G) 2.5″ PATA hard drive
Mac Mini
PowerMac10,2
G4 1.33 GHz (Late 2005 M9686LL/B, A1103) DDR PC2700 DIMM 1 GB (1 x 1G) 2.5″ PATA hard drive
Mac Mini
PowerMac10,2
G4 1.5 GHz (Late 2005 M9687LL/B, A1103) DDR PC2700 DIMM 1 GB (1 x 1G) 2.5″ PATA hard drive
Mac Mini
Macmini1,1
Core Solo 1.5 GHz (Early 2006 MA205LL/A, A1176) DDR2-667 MHz SODIMM 2 GB (2x1G) 2.5″ SATA HD2.5″ SATA SSD
Mac Mini
Macmini1,1
Core Duo 1.66 GHz (Early 2006 MA206LL/A, A1176) DDR2-667 MHz SODIMM 2 GB (2x1G) 2.5″ SATA HD
2.5″ SATA SSD
Mac Mini
Macmini1,1
Core Duo 1.83 GHz (Early 2006 MA608LL/A, A1176) DDR2-667 MHz SODIMM 2 GB (2x1G) 2.5″ SATA HD
2.5″ SATA SSD
Mac Mini
Macmini2,1
Core 2 Duo 1.83 GHz (Mid 2007 MB138LL/A, A1176) DDR2-667 MHz SODIMM 4 GB (2x2G) 3.0GB usable 2.5″ SATA HD
2.5″ SATA SSD
Mac Mini
Macmini2,1
Core 2 Duo 2.0 GHz (Mid 2007 MB139LL/A, A1176) DDR2-667 MHz SODIMM 4 GB (2x2G) 3.0GB usable 2.5″ SATA HD
2.5″ SATA SSD
Mac Mini
Macmini3,1
Core 2 Duo 2.0 GHz (Early 2009 MB463LL/A, A1283) DDR3-1066 MHz SODIMM 8 GB (2x4G) 2.5″ SATA HD
2.5″ SATA SSD
Mac Mini
Macmini3,1
Core 2 Duo 2.26 GHz (Early 2009 BTO, A1285) DDR3-1066 MHz SODIMM 8 GB (2x4G) 2.5″ SATA HD
2.5″ SATA SSD
Mac Mini
Macmini3,1
Core 2 Duo 2.26 GHz (Late 2009 MC238LL/A, A1283) DDR3-1066 MHz SODIMM 8 GB (2x4G) 2.5″ SATA HD
2.5″ SATA SSD
Mac Mini
Macmini3,1
Core 2 Duo 2.53 GHz (Late 2009 MC239LL/A, A1283) DDR3-1066 MHz SODIMM 8 GB (2x4G) 2.5″ SATA HD
2.5″ SATA SSD
Mac Mini
Macmini3,1
Core 2 Duo 2.66 GHz (Late 2009 BTO A1283) DDR3-1066 MHz SODIMM 8 GB (2x4G) 2.5″ SATA HD
2.5″ SATA SSD
Mac Mini
Macmini3,1
Core 2 Duo 2.53 GHz (Server, Late 2009 MC408LL/A, A1283) DDR3-1066 MHz SODIMM 8 GB (2x4G) 2.5″ SATA HD
2.5″ SATA SSD
Mac Mini
Macmini4,1
Core 2 Duo 2.4 GHz (Slimline, Mid 2010 MC270LL/A A1347) DDR3-1066 MHz SODIMM 8 GB (2x4G) 2.5″ SATA HD
2.5″ SATA SSD
Mac Mini
Macmini4,1
Core 2 Duo 2.66 GHz (Slimline, Mid 2010 BTO, A1347) DDR3-1066 MHz SODIMM 8 GB (2x4G) 2.5″ SATA HD
2.5″ SATA SSD
Mac Mini
Macmini4,1
Core 2 Duo 2.66 GHz (Slimline, Server, Mid 2010 MC438LL/A, A1347) DDR3-1066 MHz SODIMM 8 GB (2x4G) 2.5″ SATA HD
2.5″ SATA SSD
Mac Mini
Macmini5,1
Core i5 2.3 GHz (no Optical, Mid 2011 MC815LL/A, A1347) DDR3-1333 MHz SODIMM 16 GB (2x8G) 2.5″ SATA HD
2.5″ SATA SSD
Mac Mini
Macmini5,2
Core i5 2.5 GHz (no Optical, Mid 2011 MC816LL/A, A1347) DDR3-1333 MHz SODIMM 16 GB (2x8G) 2.5″ SATA HD
2.5″ SATA SSD
Mac Mini
Macmini5,2
Core i7 2.7 GHz (no Optical, Mid 2011 BTO, A1347) DDR3-1333 MHz SODIMM 16 GB (2x8G) 2.5″ SATA HD
2.5″ SATA SSD
Mac Mini
Macmini5,3
Core i7 2.0 GHz (Server, Mid 2011 MC936LL/A, A1347) DDR3-1333 MHz SODIMM 16 GB (2x8G) 2.5″ SATA HD
2.5″ SATA SSD
Mac Mini
Macmini6,1
Core i5 2.5 GHz (Late 2012 MD387LL/A, A1347) DDR3-1600 MHz SODIMM 16 GB (2x8G) 2.5″ SATA HD
2.5″ SATA SSD
Mac Mini
Macmini6,2
Core i7 2.3 GHz (Late 2012 MD388LL/A, A1347) DDR3-1600 MHz SODIMM 16 GB (2x8G) 2.5″ SATA HD
2.5″ SATA SSD
Mac Mini
Macmini6,2
Core i7 2.6 GHz (Late 2012 BTO/CTO, A1347) DDR3-1600 MHz SODIMM 16 GB (2x8G) 2.5″ SATA HD
2.5″ SATA SSD
Mac Mini
Macmini6,2
Core i7 2.3 GHz (Server, Late 2012 MD389LL/A, A1347) DDR3-1600 MHz SODIMM 16 GB (2x8G) 2.5″ SATA HD
2.5″ SATA SSD
Mac Mini
Macmini6,2
Core i7 2.6 GHz (Server, Late 2012 BTO, A1347) DDR3-1600 MHz SODIMM 16 GB (2x8G) 2.5″ SATA HD
2.5″ SATA SSD

Thunderbolt drives and accessories for the most recent Macs

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