Gorgeous and very clean ‘mid 2011’ Mac Mini, massively upgraded, boxed and supplied with power cable.
The mid-2011 models were the first in the Mac Mini line to feature quad-core Intel i7 processors, and so are incredibly popular. In addition, compared to the latest 2014 models, they are very easy to upgrade… The base of the machine features an easy-to-remove rotating plastic disk, which reveals the two RAM slots, and beneath them, the hard disk. So upgrading the machine to add extra RAM, swapping the disk for an SSD or even adding an extra storage device (using a separately purchased kit) is straightforward.
This is an MC936B/A server, and features the top-of-the-range 2011 package - a 2.0GHz i7 quad-core CPU. It has been upgraded from the default 4GB to the much more capable 16GB.
Being the server model, it includes dual storage units - a 120GB Samsung EVO-840 SSD and a 500GB 5400rpm HDD in this case. This is a great spec for either a workstation or an ESX server - fast SSD for speedy boot and application load times, and a larger HDD for data storage purposes.
Despite its small size, the MacMini has a lot of expansion capabilities - connectivity includes a Firewire "800" port, four USB 2.0 ports, combined "audio line in (digital/analog)" and combined "audio line out/headphone (digital/analog)" minijacks, a 10/100/1000Base-T Gigabit Ethernet port, 802.11a/b/g/n Wi-Fi, Bluetooth 4.0, an SDXC card slot and an HDMI port as well as a new "Thunderbolt" port that is backwards compatible with Mini DisplayPort and likewise supports an external display at 2560x1600 and passes an audio signal as well. Thunderbolt also supports other peripherals that use the Thunderbolt standard which provides up to 10 Gbps of bandwidth in both directions.
If all that sounds greek to you, suffice to say that this spec will provide plenty of oomph for almost any Mac software, even supporting heavyweight apps like Photoshop, Final Cut and Logic if required. (As my kids would tell you, it also runs Minecraft wickedly well!)
Compared to its predecessor (the 2010 model), the only external difference is the aforementioned Thunderbolt port, although it is a bit heavier, too. Internally, however, it has a faster processor, architecture, RAM and graphics as well as improved wireless capabilities. Compared to the current 2014 model, it allows the user to upgrade the RAM and disk, and provides significantly more power than even the top-of-the-range 3.0GHz i7 model (it’s impossible to get a quad-core CPU in the 2014 model).
You’ll pay well over £1,000 for a 3.0GHz 2014 Mac Mini, which has a 64-bit multicore Geekbench rating of 7,106. Compare this to the result taken from this machine today - 9,117! So this machine is almost 30% faster than the latest greatest Mac Mini for heavy workloads… And the latest machine is non-upgradable, so you couldn’t add the redundant SSD either.
All Mac mini systems are configured by default without a display, keyboard, or mouse - you can use your existing monitor and USB input devices, or switch to using Bluetooth devices to get away from all those trailing cables!
This machine has just been reinstalled with a clean Mac OS X 10.12 Sierra image and is all set for your use - the startup wizard will help you configure your input devices, add it to your network, create a user ID and get up and running in no time.
How might you use it?
Mac Minis are awesome for a huge number of situations:
- As a first Mac machine. These are great to replace existing PCs - simply unhook your display, mouse and keyboard and swap the PC for the Mac Mini. OS X is a little different to Windows (99% of the time in a very good way!), so will take some adjustment, but you’ll be switched in no time at all!
- As a media centre. Mac Minis are small, quiet and support HDMI and wireless keyboards and trackpads. That makes them great to add to a flat-screen HD TV, and used with media management apps like Plex, or to access on-demand TV such as iPlayer.
- As a VMWare ESXi server - the latest release of VMWare installs on MacMinis with no need for additional drivers or manual configuration (Ethernet only, no Wifi).
- Where space is at a premium. The main unit is just 19.7cm square and just 3.6cm tall - perfect for use in a reception or a crowded family room for example.
- And many more…
So what am I getting?
A mid-2011 2.0GHz i7 Mac Mini with 8GB RAM (2 x 4GB), plus 120GB Samsung EVO 840GB SSD and a 500GB HDD. It ships carefully packaged with power cable, freshly reinstalled with the latest OS and ready to use.
What if I need a bit more?
If you need upgrades or accessories for the Mac Mini, I can supply them as well. If you need the full maximum of 16GB RAM rather than the 8GB currently installed, that could be added for £90. I could add an official Apple wireless keyboard for £35, Apple magic mouse for £30, or Apple USB Superdrive for £50 (these are used, but in good condition). Just let me know after you’ve completed the auction/purchase.
If you’d like the either of the storage devices updated (with larger SSDs or HDDs), I’d be happy to do that on your behalf, and it would cost standard Amazon prices plus add a day or so delay to the shipping.
What if I win?
I will expect you to make contact and to pay within 24 hours of the auction ending. Payment is via Paypal only, and we will only ship to confirmed addresses once the payment has cleared! This is usually within 24 hours.
What are you waiting for?! Get yourself an awesome quad-core Mac Mini… Bid now!
