Mac Mini 2009 Upgrade

Posted : admin | On 23-04-2021

Apple Mac mini 'Core 2 Duo' 2.0 (Early 2009) Specs

Mac Mini 2009 Upgrade
Mac Mini 2009 Ssd Upgrade
Mac Mini 2009 Upgrade
Mac Mini 2009 Upgrade Os

Turn off your Mac mini. From the Apple menu ( ), choose Shut Down. Disconnect the power cord and all other cables from your Mac mini. Lay your Mac mini upside down on a soft cloth or towel, and then rotate the bottom cover counterclockwise to the unlocked position. Press on the cover to pop up the opposite side, and then remove the cover. Thanks in advance, and pardon my newbie-ness. I came here to post my plan to upgrade the hd on my late 2014 Mac mini (2.6 GHz, 1TB hdd, 8GB RAM, A1347) because it has become so sluggish, so many spinning balls, gets tied up constantly, you know the story. I did move to Big Sur, and of.

Identifiers: Early 2009 - MB463LL/A* - Macmini3,1 - A1283 - 2264

All Mac mini Models | All 2009 Models | Dynamically Compare This Mac to Others

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The Apple Mac mini 'Core 2 Duo' 2.0 (Early 2009/NVIDIA) features a 2.0 GHz Intel 'Core 2 Duo' (P7350) processor, a 3 MB on-chip level 2 cache, a 1066 MHz frontside bus, 1 GB or 2 GB of 1066 MHz DDR3 SDRAM (PC3-8500) memory, a 120 GB or 320 GB Serial ATA hard drive, a slot-loading 8X double-layer 'SuperDrive', and a NVIDIA GeForce 9400M graphics processor with either 128 MB or 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.
Although at first glance the Mac mini 'Core 2 Duo' 2.0 (Early 2009/NVIDIA) models look identical to the Mid-2007 models, they are quite different -- with a faster internal architecture that uses a faster system bus and faster memory as well as improved graphics and dual display support, the first time that dual displays have been supported by the Mac mini series. Connectivity is enhanced as well, with a Mini-DVI and a Mini DisplayPort (in lieu of a single DVI port) and 5 USB 2.0 ports (up from 4 on the previous system) and a Firewire '800' port (instead of a Firewire '400' port).
All 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. Additionally, 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 'Early 2009/NVIDIA' Mac mini 'Core 2 Duo' configurations?
What are the differences between the 'Early 2009/NVIDIA' Mac mini 'Core 2 Duo' and the Mac mini models they replaced?

Buy This Mac at site sponsor OHS. Personal service; free shipping.

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Upgrade This Mac at site sponsor OWC. Memory, storage & more.

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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:

March 3, 2009

Discontinued Date:

October 20, 2009

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:

2.0 GHz

Processor Type:

Core 2 Duo (P7350)

Details:

The Intel 'Core 2 Duo' (P7350) processor includes two independent processor 'cores' on a single silicon chip.

Details:

This model also was available via custom configuration with a 2.26 GHz 'Core 2 Duo' (P8400) 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 Mac mini 'Core' models?

System Bus Speed:

1066 MHz

Cache Bus Speed:

2.0 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-based Mac mini 'Core' models? How much RAM of what type do they support?

Details:

*By default, 1 GB is installed as a single module (MB463LL/A) and 2 GB is installed as two 1 GB modules (MB464LL/A). 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 after applying EFI Firmware Update 1.2.
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:

N/A

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 the low-end configuration (MB463LL/A) has 128 MB of memory shared with system memory and the high-end configuration (MB464LL/A) has 256 MB of memory shared with system memory. However, installing another 1 GB memory module in the low-end configuration will automatically increase the shared VRAM to 256 MB. Please also note that this is the minimum graphics memory usage with each configuration 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:

Standard Storage:

120, 320 GB* HDD

Std. Storage Speed:

5400 RPM

Details:

*The low-end configuration (MB463LL/A) has a 120 GB hard drive and the high-end configuration (MB464LL/A) has a 320 GB hard drive. Both are 5400 RPM. The low-end configuration also could be upgraded via custom configuration with a 250 GB hard drive for US$100 extra and a 320 GB hard drive for US$175 extra.
Also see: How do you upgrade the hard drive in the Mac mini 'Core' 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

Details:

External Apple USB Modem offered for US$49.

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.

Apple Order No:

MB463LL/A*

Apple Subfamily:

Early 2009

Details:

*There are two configurations of this model -- MB463LL/A, which is equipped with 1 GB of RAM, a 120 GB hard drive, and 128 MB of RAM allocated for graphics and sold for US$599, and MB464LL/A, which is equipped with 2 GB of RAM, a 320 GB hard drive, and 256 MB of RAM allocated for graphics and sold for US$799.

Apple Model No:

A1283 (EMC 2264)

Model ID:

Macmini3,1

Details:

Please note that these identifiers refer to more than one model.
Also see: All Macs with the A1283 Model Number, the 2264 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.

Details:

N/A

Pre-Installed MacOS:

X 10.5.6 (9G2030)

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' if at least 2 GB of RAM is installed, 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' or earlier.
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$599, US$799*

Est. Current Retail:

US$200-US$300

Details:

*This refers to the default configurations. The US$599 configuration (MB463LL/A) is equipped with 1 GB of RAM, a 120 GB hard drive, and 128 MB of RAM allocated for graphics and the US$799 configuration (MB464LL/A) is equipped with 2 GB of RAM, a 320 GB hard drive, and 256 MB of RAM allocated for graphics. It also was available via custom configuration with a 2.26 GHz 'Core 2 Duo' (P8400) processor for an additional US$150.
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:

N/A

Details:

N/A

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:

N/A

Details:

Combined 'optical digital audio input/audio line in minijack.'

Details:

Single combined 'optical digital audio output/headphone out minijack.'

Details:

N/A

Details:

100V-240V, 110W maximum.

Global original prices for the Mac mini 'Core 2 Duo' 2.0 (Early 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.

Mac Mini 2009 Upgrade

Original Prices - North & South America

Mexico:

N/A

United States:

US$599, US$799*

Original Prices - Europe

Denmark:

N/A

Finland:

€599, €799

Ireland:

€599, €799

Italy:

€599, €799

Norway:

N/A

Portugal:

€599, €799

Switzerland:

CHF 799, 1'099

United Kingdom:

£499, £649

Original Prices - Asia

China:

RMB 4,988, RMB 6,698

Hong Kong:

HK$4,800, HK$6,400

Japan:

¥69,800, ¥89,800

Korea:

N/A

Singapore:

N/A

Taiwan:

NT$21,900, NT$28,900

Original Prices - Australia & New Zealand

Australia:

A$1049, A$1399

New Zealand:

NZ$1398, NZ$1848

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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Mac Mini 2009 Ssd Upgrade

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Before you begin

To minimize the possibility of damage to the computer components due to static discharge, it's important to wear an antistatic wrist strap while you work with your computer's memory.

Choose your model

Mac mini models have different memory (RAM) installation requirements. Choose your Mac mini model for more information. If you need help determining which Mac mini you have, find out how to identify Mac mini models.

2020
Mac mini (M1, 2020)

2018
Mac mini (2018)

2014
Mac mini (Late 2014)

2012
Mac mini (Late 2012)

2011
Mac mini (Mid 2011)

2010
Mac mini (Mid 2010)

2009
Mac mini (Late 2009)
Mac mini (Early 2009)

2007
Mac mini (Mid 2007)

2006
Mac mini (Late 2006)
Mac mini (Early 2006)

Mac Mini 2009 Upgrade

2005
Mac mini (Original)

2020

Mac mini (M1, 2020) has memory that is integrated into the AppleM1chip and can't be upgraded. You can configure the memory in your Mac mini when you purchase it.

2018

Mac Mini 2009 Upgrade Os

Mac mini (2018) does not have user-installable RAM. You can configure the memory in your Mac mini (2018) when you purchase it. To upgrade the memory in your Mac mini (2018), go to an Apple Store or Apple Authorized Service Provider.

RAM availability varies by country and region.

2014

Mac mini (Late 2014) has memory that is integrated into the main logic board and can't be upgraded.

2012, 2011, 2010

To remove and install memory in your Mac mini (Late 2012), Mac mini (Mid 2011), or Mac mini (Mid 2010), use the following steps.

Remove the bottom cover

Turn off your Mac mini. From the Apple menu (), choose Shut Down.
Disconnect the power cord and all other cables from your Mac mini.
Lay your Mac mini upside down on a soft cloth or towel, and then rotate the bottom cover counterclockwise to the unlocked position.
Press on the cover to pop up the opposite side, and then remove the cover.

Remove the original memory modules

Gently spread the clips at the ends of the top memory module just enough to let the free edge pop up.
Pull the module out of the slot.
Repeat to remove the second, bottom module.

Install the new memory

Carefully press the notched edge of the new memory module into the bottom slot while keeping the opposite edge slightly raised.
Press down on the raised edge until the clips snap into place.
Repeat to install the top memory module.

Replace the bottom cover

Don't connect the power cord or turn on your Mac mini until you replace the bottom cover. Never operate your Mac mini without the cover in place.

Replace the bottom cover using the alignment dots to place it in the unlocked position.
Rotate the cover clockwise to lock it in place.
Reconnect the power cord and any other cables you disconnected.

After you install the memory, confirm that your Mac mini sees the new memory.

2009 and earlier

To remove or install memory in the following Mac mini models, go to an Apple Authorized Service Provider.

Confirm that your Mac sees the new memory

To check that the computer recognizes the new memory:

Start up your computer.
When you see your desktop, choose Apple menu , then choose About This Mac.
Confirm that the memory listed matches the memory you installed.

If the reported memory size isn't correct or if your Mac mini repeatedly plays three tones, it may be having trouble recognizing a memory module. If this happens, shut down your Mac mini, verify the module specifications against the requirements for your Mac mini model, and then repeat the memory installation instructions to make sure that the modules are installed correctly. If you still have issues, remove the memory and consult the support information that came with the memory, or contact the vendor who provided the memory.