Mac Mini Core i5 / 2.3 (Mid-2011)

The Mac mini Core i5 / 2.3 is the Intel Mac mini in a cuboid aluminum casing with an internal power unit and a black plastic removable panel on the bottom to provide an access to upgradable RAM. The Mac mini of mid-2011 lost its optical drive and Mini Display Port but got the Apple proprietal Thunderbolt port which is back compatible to MDP. The Bluetooth has been upgraded to 4.0 version. But the key revision is that of the processor – the innovative Intel Sandy Bridge. The Mac mini Core i5 / 2.3 (mid-2011) features a 2.4GHz Intel Core i5 (2415M) processor, 2 GB of RAM (PC2-10600), a 500 GB Ultra ATA/100 hard drive (5400 RPM) and Intel HD Graphics 3000 graphics with 288MB of integrated memory. The net top has an HDMI video out and a Thunderbolt port, four USB 2.0 ports and one Firewire 800 port, a built-in mono-speaker, an audio-out mini-jack and an audio line-in/digital audio input. As for the wireless, the Mac mini Core i5 / 2.3 has standard to AirPort Extreme (802.11a/b/g/n) and Bluetooth 4.0. The cooling system is fanless. The Mac mini Core i5 / 2.4is shipped without a display, a keyboard and a mouse.

Mac Mini Core i5 / 2.3 (Mid-2011)

Introduced on: July 20, 2011.

Specifications

• Processor Speed: 2.3 GHz.
• Processor Architecture: 64-bit.
• Processor Upgrade: Soldered.
• Processor type: Intel Core i5 (I5-2415M “Sandy Bridge”).
• Cores: 2.
• On-Board RAM: DDR2 2 GB, 1333 MHz.
• Max. RAM supported: DDR2 16 GB.
• Graphics: Intel HD Graphics 3000 with 288 MB of integrated memory.
• Dual display support: Yes.
• Resolution Support: 1920 x 1200.
• Storage: 500 GB, 5400-rpm Ultra ATA-100 up to 750 GB (7200 RPM) Hard Drive Supported.
• Input\Output: 4 x USB 2.0, Firewire 800, SD card reader, built-in mono-speaker, audio-out mini-jack, audio line-in/digital audio input, HDMI and Thunderbolt.
• Optical drive: optional external optical drive for an extra cost.
• SD-card reader: Yes.
• Internet \ Wireless connection: 10/100 BASE-T Ethernet, optional 56k V.92 modem, AirPort Extreme Broadcom 802.11a/b/g/ n, Bluetooth 4.0.
• Preinstalled OS: X 10.7 (11A2061) “Lion”.
• OS max. upgrade: 10.11.x “El Capitan” (requires 2 GB).
• Dimensions: 1.4 x 7.7 x 7.7 inch maximum.
• Weight: 2.7 lb.

Apple Orders, Discontinuation, Price

Apple Model No: A1347 (EMC 2442).

Apple Order number: MC815LL/A.

Discontinued: October 23, 2012.

Price: $599.

Troubleshooting with Mac Mini

Occasionally, you may have a problem while working with your Mac mini. Read on for troubleshooting tips to try when you have a problem. You can also find more troubleshooting information in Help Center, or on the Mac mini Service & Support website. When you have a problem with your Mac mini, there’s usually a simple and quick solution. Think about the conditions that led up to the problem. Making a note of things you did before the problem occurred will help you narrow down possible causes and find the answers you need. Things to note include:

• The applications you were using when the problem occurred. Problems that occur only with a specific application may indicate that the application is incompatible with the version of Mac OS installed on your computer.
• Any new software that you installed, especially software that added items to the System folder.
• Any new hardware that you installed, such as additional memory or a peripheral.

Warning:  Do not attempt to open your Mac mini, except to install memory. If your Mac mini needs service, contact an Apple Authorized Service Provider or Apple for service. Your Mac mini doesn’t have any user-serviceable parts, except the memory.

Problems That Prevent You from Using Mac mini

If your Mac mini won’t respond or the pointer won’t move:

• Make sure the mouse and keyboard are connected. Unplug and then plug in the connectors, making sure they’re secure. If you have wireless input devices, check that the device batteries are charged. Try turning off and on any wireless device.
• Try to force problem applications to quit. On an Apple keyboard, hold down the Option key and Command key and then press the Esc key. On other keyboards, hold down the Windows key and Alt key and then press the Esc key. If a dialog appears, select the frozen application and click Force Quit. Then restart your Mac mini to be sure the problem is entirely cleared up.
• Hold down the power button on the back of your Mac mini for five seconds to shut it down.
• Unplug the power cord from your Mac mini. Then plug the power cord back in and press the power button to turn your Mac mini on.

If the problem reoccurs when you use a particular application, check with the application’s manufacturer to see if the application is compatible with the version of Mac OS X installed on your Mac mini.

If the problem occurs frequently, try repairing your disk, restoring your software from a backup, or reinstalling your system software using the Mac OS X Utilities application.

If your Mac mini freezes during startup or you see a flashing question mark:

• Wait a few seconds. If your Mac mini doesn’t start up, shut it down by holding down the power button for 8 to 10 seconds. Then hold down the Option key and press the power button again to start up your Mac mini. Keep holding down the Option key until your Mac mini starts up, then click the arrow under the icon of the hard disk you want to use as your startup disk.
• After your Mac mini starts up, open System Preferences and click Startup Disk. Select a local Mac OS X system folder.

If the problem occurs frequently, you may need to reinstall your system software.

If your Mac mini doesn’t turn on or start up:

• Make sure the power cord is plugged into your Mac mini and into a functioning power outlet.
• Restart your computer while holding down the Command key and R key, until the computer restarts. When the Mac OS X Utilities application appears, select an option to repair your disk, restore your software, or reinstall Mac OS X and Apple applications from the Mac OS X Utilities pane.
• Press the power button and immediately hold down the Command, Option, P, and R keys on an Apple keyboard until you hear the startup sound a second time. This resets the parameter RAM (PRAM). On other keyboards, press the power button and immediately hold down the Windows, Alt, P, and R keys.
• Unplug the power cord and wait at least 30 seconds. Plug the power cord back in and press the power button again to start up your Mac mini.
• If you still can’t start up your Mac mini contact Apple for service.

If your Mac mini can’t connect to another computer’s optical disc drive:

To use services such as Migration Assistant, DVD or CD Sharing, and iTunes music sharing, both your Mac mini and the other computer must be connected to the same network. If your Mac mini is connected wirelessly and the other computer is connected to a third-party router by Ethernet, check your router documentation to make sure it supports bridging a wireless to wired connection.

If your date and time settings get lost repeatedly:

• You may need to have the internal backup battery replaced.

Miscellanea

• The Mac mini of mid-2011 is smaller and lighter than its predecessors. Thunderbolts supports not only displays but all the Thunderbolt peripherals. For instance, Western Digital My Book, Belkin Thunderbolt Express Dock.

Links

• Trade in your used and old Mac mini for top cash at iGotOffer. Check on our new prices. We offer the best prices online for secondhand gadgets: Sell Mac mini now, save money for new device.

New Apple Mac mini (2011): Unboxing and Demo. Video published by  DetroitBORG on July 21, 2011.