Mac mini features third-generation Intel Core processors, faster integrated graphics, Thunderbolt and plenty of ports. Expect big things.

Processors up to 2x faster.

With third-generation Intel Core processors, Mac mini keeps up with computers twice its size. You can choose a 2.5GHz dual-core Intel Core i5. Or go for an even more powerful 2.6GHz quad-core Intel Core i7 for up to twice the performance of the previous-generation dual-coreMac mini.

When you're using processor-intensive applications, Turbo Boost 2.0 increases the clock speed up to 3.6GHz. Hyper-Threading lets each core run two threads, so OS X multitasks even more efficiently. And an integrated memory controller connects fast 1600MHz memory directly to the processor, so it gets straight to work on your data. In short, Mac mini is a little box of vroom.

Intel HD Graphics 4000.

Intel HD Graphics 4000 delivers up to 65 per cent more pixel-pushing performance than the previous generation of integrated graphics.2 So the video you watch and the games you play are smoother and more responsive. Flipping through photo albums is a breeze. And you've got all the power you need to edit your HD video into a film worthy of a red carpet premiere.

Storage and memory.

Mac mini comes as standard with either a 500GB or 1TB 5400‑rpm hard drive. So you can pack in your photo libraries, films, music, files and more, more, more.

You can configure your Mac mini with up to 256GB of flash storage in a solid-state drive instead of a traditional hard drive. Flash storage delivers nearly five times the performance of a disk drive4 — speed you'll notice when you boot your Mac mini, launch an app or browse your photo library.

Mac mini also offers a breakthrough storage option, called Fusion Drive, which combines a 1TB hard drive with high-performance flash storage — 128GB worth. Fusion Drive automatically and intelligently manages your data so that frequently used apps, documents, photos and other files stay on the faster flash storage, while infrequently used items move to the hard drive. You'll enjoy shorter boot times, and as the system learns how you work, you'll see faster application launches and quicker file access. Best of all, you don't have to do a thing to make it happen.

Mac mini comes with 4GB of fast 1600MHz DDR3 memory. And thanks to a removable bottom panel, it's easy to add more. Just give it a twist, and you're in. Pop your new memory into the SO-DIMM slot, and you're out.

Thunderbolt

Thunderbolt technology in Mac mini is phenomenally fast. It features two 10-Gbps channels for data transfer. That's up to 12 times faster than FireWire 800 and up to 20 times faster than USB 2. But beyond speed, Thunderbolt gives you unprecedented expansion capabilities. You can daisy-chain as many as six Thunderbolt devices — including two Apple Thunderbolt Displays — to a single port. And since Thunderbolt is based on DisplayPort technology, Mini DisplayPort devices like the Apple LED Cinema Display plug straight in too.

USB 3, Wi-Fi and Bluetooth. You're very well connected.

As powerful as Thunderbolt is, it's just one of your options. If you have a third-party display, for instance, you can use the HDMI port and the HDMI to DVI Adapter that comes with Mac mini to connect it. You can even connect two displays to see more of your photos, films and documents at the same time. A built-in SDXC card slot makes it easy to import those photos and videos from your digital camera, and the FireWire 800 port works with a wide array of storage, audio and video devices.

With USB 3 built intoMac mini, you can connect your external hard drive and transfer large files in seconds instead of minutes. Every Mac mini comes with four USB 3 ports — with speeds up to 10 times faster than USB 2 — and you can connect all your USB-compatible devices, including your iPhone, iPad, iPod or digital camera.

The latest 802.11n wireless technology is built into every Mac mini.6It automatically locates your Wi-Fi network, so you can connect and start surfing the web, printing and streaming your music wirelessly. Bluetooth wireless technology is also built in, so you can connect accessories such as a wireless keyboard and mouse.

HDMI

No screen is too big.

It's easy to connect Mac mini to the biggest screen in the house — your HDTV — courtesy of a built-in HDMI port. All it takes is one HDMI cable to start enjoying films and TV programmes from iTunes, surfing the web and flipping through your photo library, all in brilliant HD. There's also a handy control that lets you adjust the output on Mac mini to fill even the biggest HDTV screen. And when you just want to listen to music, you can play your entire iTunes collection through your home entertainment centre, or stream it to a set of speakers in any room via an AirPort Express Base Station.

Bring your own display, keyboard and mouse.

Plug your own display, keyboard and mouse into Mac mini. Turn it on. And just like that, everything works together. That's one of the great things about Mac mini. You can mix and match it with almost anything.

Just a few centimeters Tall

Mac mini features a 3.6cm-thin seamless unibody enclosure carved from a single, solid block of aluminium. It's created using computer numerical control, or CNC, machines — the same kind used by the aerospace industry to build mission-critical spacecraft components. This ensures absolute precision of every component of the Mac mini enclosure. Not to mention a stunning aluminium fit and finish that will make any desk proud.

The power supply is built directly into Mac mini. So there's no bulky brick, and there are fewer cables to connect. A removable panel on the bottom makes upgrading the memory completely painless. And once you're inside, you'll see how clean and organised Mac mini is. With attention paid to the tiniest details. Like the air intake vent. It's practically invisible. And when the fan is running, you'll barely hear it. Mac mini is full of big ideas.

Built-in Thunderbolt technology lets you daisy-chain up to six Thunderbolt peripherals, including the new Apple Thunderbolt Display, to a single port. It also supports Mini DisplayPort peripherals you might already have, including the Apple LED Cinema Display. The HDMI port lets you connect Mac mini to your HDTV with a single cable. And a built-in SDXC card slot makes speedy work of transferring photos and videos from yourdigital cameras.

The iTunes Store and the Mac App Store have made it so easy to download music and apps that you probably won't need an optical disc drive. So we designed Mac mini without one and used that extra space to squeeze in more powerful processors, advanced graphics and Thunderbolt technology.

Technical Specifications

• 2.5GHz dual-core Intel Core i5 (Turbo Boost up to 3.1GHz) with 3MB L3 cache

• 4GB (two 2GB) of 1600MHz DDR3 memory

Storage

• 500GB (5400-rpm) hard drive

• Intel HD Graphics 4000

Audio

• Audio line in mini-jack (digital/analog)
• Audio line out / headphone mini-jack (digital/analog)
• HDMI port supports multichannel audio output
• Support for Apple iPhone headset with microphone
• Built-in speaker

• Thunderbolt port (up to 10 Gbps)
• FireWire 800 port (up to 800 Mbps)
• Four USB 3 ports (up to 5 Gbps)
• HDMI port
• SDXC card slot
• Gigabit Ethernet port
• Audio in/out
• IR receiver

• Wi-Fi 802.11n Wi-Fi wireless networking;3 IEEE 802.11a/b/g compatible
• Bluetooth 4.0 wireless technology
• Ethernet: 10/100/1000BASE-T Ethernet (RJ-45 connector)

• OS X Mountain Lion

• Mac App Store
• Safari
• Mail
• Messages
• Calendar
• Contacts
• Reminders
• Notes
• Time Machine
• FaceTime
• Photo Booth
• Game Center
• iTunes
• iLife: iPhoto, iMovie and GarageBand

• Height: 3.6 cm (1.4 inches)
• Width: 19.7 cm (7.7 inches)
• Depth: 19.7 cm (7.7 inches)
• Weight: 1.22 kg (2.7 pounds)

• Mac mini
• Power lead