Apple Mac mini 'Core 2 Duo' 2.53 (Late 2009) Specs
Identifiers: Late 2009 - MC239LL/A - Macmini3,1 - A1283 - 2336
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Whatever the older Macintosh computer is, to make it useful nowadays you’d likely want to find and download some old Mac software for it. This post will aggregate a collection of links and resources for finding and downloading old Mac software, including old Mac system software, old Macintosh applications, and more, for everything from older Intel Macs, to PowerPC Macs, to 68040 and 030 Macs. In the UK, site sponsor Flexx sells storage upgrades for this Mac mini. In Canada, site sponsor CanadaRAM sells SSDs and other upgrades for this Mac mini. In Australia, site sponsor Macfixit sells storage upgrades for this Mac mini. Also see: SSD Compatibility Guide for All G3 & Later Macs.
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The Apple Mac mini 'Core 2 Duo' 2.53 (Late 2009) features a 2.53 GHz Intel 'Core 2 Duo' (P8700) processor, a 3 MB on-chip level 2 cache, a 1066 MHz frontside bus, 4 GB of 1066 MHz DDR3 SDRAM (PC3-8500) memory, a 320 GB Serial ATA hard drive, a slot-loading 8X double-layer 'SuperDrive', and a NVIDIA GeForce 9400M graphics processor with 256 MB of memory shared with the system.
Connectivity includes Mini-DVI and Mini DisplayPort, a Firewire '800' port, five USB 2.0 ports, combined 'optical digital audio input/audio line in' and combined 'optical digital audio output/headphone' minijacks, a 10/100/1000Base-T Gigabit Ethernet port, and built-in AirPort Extreme (802.11a/b/g/n) and Bluetooth 2.1+EDR.
Late 2009 Mac mini models have the internal components enclosed in a tiny and elegant 2.9 lb, 6.5 inch square, two inch tall case with a built-in speaker and an external power supply. All Mac mini systems ship without a display, keyboard, or mouse, but numerous Apple and third-party options are available.
Also see: What are the differences between the 'Late 2009' Mac mini 'Core 2 Duo' configurations? What are the differences between these Mac mini models and the models replaced?
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- Tech Specs
- Ports
- Global Original Prices
- Popular Q&As
Click on a category for related details. The most commonly needed info is 'open' by default, but all info is important. Asterisks (*) reference data in details fields.
| Introduction Date: | October 20, 2009 | Discontinued Date: | June 15, 2010 |
| Details: | The 'Introduction Date' refers to the date a model was introduced via press release. The 'Discontinued Date' refers to the date a model either was replaced by a subsequent system or production otherwise ended.
Also see: All Macs introduced in 2009. |
| Details: | Also see: All models with a 64-Bit processor courtesy of EveryMac.com's Ultimate Mac Sort. |
| Details: | Geekbench 2 benchmarks are in 32-bit and 64-bit modes, respectively. These numbers reflect an average of user provided 32-bit and 64-bit results as submitted to the Geekbench website. Higher numbers are better.
You also might be interested in reviewing all 32-bit and 64-bit Geekbench 2 user submissions for Macs with the Macmini3,1 Model Identifier, which may include multiple models.
To dynamically compare Geekbench 2 results from different Macs side-by-side, see EveryMac.com's Ultimate Mac Comparison. |
| Details: | These Geekbench 3 benchmarks are in 32-bit mode and are for a single processor core and all processor cores, respectively. Both numbers reflect an average of user provided results as submitted to the Geekbench website. Higher numbers are better.
You also might be interested in reviewing all 32-bit single core and multicore Geekbench 3 user submissions for Macs with the Macmini3,1 Model Identifier, which may include multiple models.
To dynamically compare 32-bit Geekbench 3 results from different Macs side-by-side, see EveryMac.com's Ultimate Mac Comparison. |
| Details: | These Geekbench 3 benchmarks are in 64-bit mode and are for a single processor core and all processor cores, respectively. Both numbers reflect an average of user provided results as submitted to the Geekbench website. Higher numbers are better.
You also might be interested in reviewing all 64-bit single core and multicore Geekbench 3 user submissions for Macs with the Macmini3,1 Model Identifier, which may include multiple models.
To dynamically compare 64-bit Geekbench 3 results from different Macs side-by-side, see EveryMac.com's Ultimate Mac Comparison. |
| Details: | These Geekbench 4 benchmarks are are for a single processor core and all processor cores, respectively. All Geekbench 4 benchmarks are 64-bit. Both numbers reflect an average of user provided results as submitted to the Geekbench website. Higher numbers are better.
You also might be interested in reviewing all single core and multicore Geekbench 4 user submissions for Macs with the Macmini3,1 Model Identifier, which may include multiple models.
To dynamically compare Geekbench 4 results from different Macs side-by-side, see EveryMac.com's Ultimate Mac Comparison. |
| Details: | These Geekbench 5 benchmarks are are for a single processor core and all processor cores, respectively. All Geekbench 5 benchmarks for the Mac are 64-bit. Both numbers reflect an average of user provided results as submitted to the Geekbench website. Higher numbers are better.
You also might be interested in reviewing all single core and multicore Geekbench 5 user submissions for Macs with the Macmini3,1 Model Identifier, which may include multiple models.
To dynamically compare Geekbench 5 results from different Macs side-by-side, see EveryMac.com's Ultimate Mac Comparison. |
| Processor Speed: | 2.53 GHz | Processor Type: | Core 2 Duo (P8700) |
| Details: | The Intel 'Core 2 Duo' (P8700) processor includes two independent processor 'cores' on a single silicon chip.
Also see: How fast is the 'Late 2009' Mac mini 'Core 2 Duo' compared to earlier Mac mini models? |
| Details: | This model also was available via custom configuration with a 2.66 GHz 'Core 2 Duo' processor for an additional US$150.
As requested by readers, EveryMac.com also has documented this custom configuration as its own model. |
| Details: | The processor is soldered directly to the motherboard.
Also see: Is it possible to upgrade the processor in the Intel Mac mini models? |
| System Bus Speed: | 1066 MHz | Cache Bus Speed: | 2.53 GHz (Built-in) |
| ROM/Firmware Type: | EFI | EFI Architecture: | 64-Bit |
| Details: | Also see: Does the Intel Mac mini have a ROM or BIOS? |
| Details: | Includes a 3 MB shared 'on chip' level 2 cache that runs at processor speed. |
| Details: | Supports 1066 MHz PC3-8500 DDR3 SO-DIMMs. Also see: How do you upgrade the RAM in the polycarbonate Intel Mac mini models? How much RAM of what type do they support? |
| Details: | By default, 4 GB is installed as two 2 GB modules. Via custom configuration, the lower-end Mac mini 'Core 2 Duo' 2.26 (Late 2009) could be upgraded to a 2.53 GHz processor, but this model only has 2 GB of RAM by default.
*Officially, this model is capable of supporting 4 GB of RAM, but as first reported by MacminiColo, this model unofficially can use 8 GB of RAM.
In the US (and many other countries), site sponsor Other World Computing sells memory -- as well as other upgrades -- for this Mac mini.
In the UK, site sponsor Flexx sells memory and other upgrades for this Mac mini.
In Canada, site sponsor CanadaRAM sells RAM and other upgrades for this Mac mini.
In Germany, site sponsor CompuRAM sells memory and other upgrades for this Mac mini.
In Australia, site sponsor Macfixit sells memory and other upgrades for this Mac mini.
Also see: Actual Max RAM of All G3 & Later Macs. |
| Details: | This model has a NVIDIA GeForce 9400M that shares memory with the system.
In Spain, site sponsor iRepairs provides affordable repair and data recovery services. In-person and by mail repair services include the graphics card, power supply, and more for this Mac mini.
In Singapore, site sponsor Esmond Service Centre provides highly regarded repairs for the graphics card, motherboard, power supply, and more, all with a free estimate and fast turnaround for this Mac mini. |
| Details: | *Apple reports that this model has 256 MB of memory shared with system memory. Please note that this is the minimum graphics memory usage but the memory available to MacOS X 'may vary depending on graphics needs'. |
| Display Support: | Dual Displays | Resolution Support: | 1920x1200* |
| Details: | *This model simultaneously supports 1920x1200 on a DVI or VGA display using the Mini-DVI port and 2560x1600 on a dual-link DVI display using the Mini DisplayPort (with an optional Mini DisplayPort to Dual-Link DVI adapter). |
| 2nd Display Support: | Dual/Mirroring* | 2nd Max. Resolution: | 2560x1600* |
| Details: | *This model simultaneously supports 1920x1200 on a DVI or VGA display using the Mini-DVI port and 2560x1600 on a dual-link DVI display using the Mini DisplayPort (with an optional Mini DisplayPort to Dual-Link DVI adapter). |
| Standard Storage: | 320 GB* HDD | Std. Storage Speed: | 5400 RPM |
| Details: | *This model also could be equipped with a 500 GB hard drive for an additional US$100. Via custom configuration, the lower-end Mac mini 'Core 2 Duo' 2.26 (Late 2009) could be upgraded to a 2.53 GHz processor, but this model only has a 160 GB hard drive by default.
Also see: How do you upgrade the hard drive in the Intel Mac mini models? What type of hard drive do they support? Is it possible to replace the optical drive with a second hard drive?
In the US (and many other countries), site sponsor Other World Computing sells storage upgrades for this Mac mini.
In the UK, site sponsor Flexx sells storage upgrades for this Mac mini.
In Canada, site sponsor CanadaRAM sells SSDs and other upgrades for this Mac mini.
In Australia, site sponsor Macfixit sells storage upgrades for this Mac mini.
Also see: SSD Compatibility Guide for All G3 & Later Macs. |
| Storage Dimensions: | 2.5' (9.5 mm) | Storage Interface: | Serial ATA (3 Gb/s) |
| Details: | This model supports a single SATA II (3 Gb/s) 2.5' hard drive or SSD that is up to 9.5 mm thick. |
| Standard Optical: | 8X DL 'SuperDrive' | Standard Disk: | None |
| Details: | Apple reports that the slot-loading 8X double-layer SuperDrive 'writes DVD+R DL and DVD-R DL discs at up to 6x speed, writes DVD-R and DVD+R discs at up to 8x speed, writes DVD-RW discs at up to 6x speed, writes DVD+RW discs at up to 8x speed, reads DVDs at up to 8x speed, writes CD-R and CD-RW discs at up to 24x speed, reads CDs at up to 24x speed.'
This model uses an SATA connector for the optical drive.
Also see: What are the capabilities of the optical drive provided by the Mac mini 'Core' models? Which can read and write dual-layer DVDs?
Site sponsor Other World Computing offers a 'Data Doubler' mounting kit that may be of interest. It makes it simple to install a second hard drive or SSD in the optical drive bay of this Mac mini. |
| Standard Modem: | None | Standard Ethernet: | 10/100/1000Base-T |
| Standard AirPort: | 802.11a/b/g/n | Standard Bluetooth: | 2.1+EDR |
| Details: | AirPort Extreme (802.11a/b/g/n) and Bluetooth 2.1+EDR standard. |
| Details: | Five 480-Mbps USB 2.0 ports, one Firewire '800' port. |
| Details: | In the US (and many other countries), site sponsor Other World Computing sells a wide variety of external expansion options and hand-picked accessories like external storage, stands, keyboards, cables, adapters, speakers, and more for this Mac mini.
In Australia, site sponsor Macfixit offers an extensive selection of external expansion options and accessories like docks, stands, chargers, keyboards, security products, and more for this Mac mini. |
| Details: | No Mac mini systems ship with a keyboard or mouse. |
| Details: | Uses a tiny and elegant 6.5 inch wide, 6.5 inch deep, and 2 inch tall case. |
| Details: | The Apple order number should be unique to this system. |
| Apple Model No: | A1283 (EMC 2336) | Model ID: | Macmini3,1 |
Mac Mini 2010 Change Ssd
| Details: | Please note that these identifiers refer to more than one model.
Also see: All Macs with the A1283 Model Number, the 2336 EMC Number, and the Macmini3,1 Model Identifier.
For more about these identifiers and how to locate them on each Mac, please refer to EveryMac.com's Mac Identification section. |
| Pre-Installed MacOS: | X 10.6 (10A432) | Maximum MacOS: | X 10.11.x* |
| Details: | *This system can run the last version of OS X 10.8 'Mountain Lion', OS X 10.9 'Mavericks', and OS X 10.10 'Yosemite', as well as OS X 10.11 'El Capitan,' although advanced features like AirDrop, AirPlay Mirroring, and Power Nap are not supported. It does support 'OpenCL' and Grand Central Dispatch introduced with Mac OS X 10.6 'Snow Leopard,' although it is not supported booting in 64-bit mode when running this version of the operating system. It is not capable of running macOS Sierra (10.12) or subsequent versions of the macOS at all.
Please note that OS X 'Lion' 10.7 and subsequent versions of OS X are not capable of running Mac OS X apps originally written for the PowerPC processor as these operating systems do not support the 'Rosetta' environment. To run PowerPC applications on this Mac, it will be necessary to use Mac OS X 10.6 'Snow Leopard.'
Also see: Which Macs are compatible with OS X El Capitan (10.11)? What are the system requirements? Which Macs support which features? |
| Minimum Windows: | XP SP2 (32-Bit)* | Maximum Windows: | 7 (32-Bit)* |
| Details: | *Apple's Boot Camp 4 formally supports the 32-bit versions of Windows XP SP2, Windows Vista, and Windows 7. However, the system does meet Microsoft's minimum requirements for Windows 8 and readers have reported successfully running the 32-bit version of this operating system with appropriate drivers. |
| MacOS 9 Support: | None | Windows Support: | Boot/Virtualization |
| Details: | Also see: Are there any third-party programs to run Mac OS 9/Classic applications on Intel Macs?
Site sponsor OHS specializes in heavily upgraded Macs capable of running both Mac OS X and Mac OS 9 applications.
For more on running Windows on Intel Macs, please refer to the exhaustive Windows on Mac Q&A. |
| Dimensions: | 2.0 x 6.5 x 6.5 | Avg. Weight: | 2.9 lbs. (1.31 kg) |
| Details: | In inches - height by width by depth, (5.08 cm, 16.51 cm, 16.51 cm). |
| Original Price (US): | US$799* | Est. Current Retail: | US$200-US$400 |
| Details: | *Via custom configuration, the lower-end Mac mini 'Core 2 Duo' 2.26 also could be upgraded to a 2.53 GHz processor, and that configuration cost US$749 but only was equipped stock with 2 GB of RAM and a 160 GB hard drive.
Please note that on average the estimated current retail pricing of used systems is updated twice a year (please refer to the date on the bottom of the page for the date last updated).
Photo Credit: Apple, Inc. |
Click on a category for additional details. The most commonly needed info is 'open' by default, but all info is important. The icons correspond with the icons for each port on the computer.
| Details: | *1 Mini-DVI and 1 Mini DisplayPort.
Supports dual simultaneous displays -- 1920x1200 on a DVI or VGA display using the Mini-DVI port and 2560x1600 on a dual-link DVI display using the Mini DisplayPort (with an optional Mini DisplayPort to Dual-Link DVI adapter). Includes a Mini-DVI to DVI adapter. |
| Details: | Five 480-Mbps USB 2.0 ports, one Firewire '800' port. |
| Details: | External Apple USB Modem (56.6k v.92) offered for US$49. Gigabit Ethernet, AirPort Extreme (802.11g/n), and Bluetooth 2.1+EDR standard. |
| Details: | Combined 'optical digital audio input/audio line in minijack.' |
| Details: | Single combined 'optical digital audio output/headphone out minijack.' |
| Details: | 100V-240V, 110W maximum. |
Global original prices for the Mac mini 'Core 2 Duo' 2.53 (Late 2009) in 34 different countries and territories follow; organized alphabetically by region.
For global original prices for Intel Macs in one particular country on a single page, please refer to EveryMac.com's Global Original Prices section.
Original Prices - North & South America
| Mexico: | N/A | United States: | US$799* |
Original Prices - Europe
| Denmark: | DKK 5,599 | Finland: | €749 |
| Switzerland: | CHF 999 | United Kingdom: | £649 |
Original Prices - Asia
| Malaysia: | N/A | The Philippines: | N/A |
Original Prices - Australia & New Zealand
If you have additional original prices for this model, please get in touch. Thank you.
Ten of the most popular Q&As about the Mac mini models follow.
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