The Early 2009/NVIDIA version of the Apple Mac mini "Core 2 Duo" 2.0 is equipped with a 2.0 GHz Intel "Core 2 Duo" (P7350) processor, including a 3 MB on-chip L2 cache and a 1066 MHz frontside bus. It came with memory options of 1 GB or 2 GB of 1066 MHz DDR3 SDRAM (PC3-8500), and storage choices of a 120 GB or 320 GB Serial ATA hard drive. The unit contains a slot-loading 8X double-layer "SuperDrive" and relies on a NVIDIA GeForce 9400M graphics processor that shares either 128 MB or 256 MB of system memory.
Connectivity options comprise Mini-DVI and Mini DisplayPort, a Firewire "800" port, five USB 2.0 ports, combined "optical digital audio input/audio line in" and "optical digital audio output/headphone" minijacks, a 10/100/1000Base-T Gigabit Ethernet port, plus integrated AirPort Extreme (802.11a/b/g/n) and Bluetooth 2.1+EDR.
Although the Mac mini "Core 2 Duo" 2.0 (Early 2009/NVIDIA) models appear identical to the Mid-2007 versions at first glance, they are substantially different. They boast a quicker internal architecture utilizing a faster system bus and memory, along with enhanced graphics and dual display support—a first for the Mac mini line. Connectivity is also improved, featuring a Mini-DVI and a Mini DisplayPort instead of a single DVI port, five USB 2.0 ports (up from four), and a Firewire "800" port in place of Firewire "400".
All Mac mini models house their internal components within a compact and elegant 2.9 lb, 6.5-inch square, two-inch tall case, which includes a built-in speaker and an external power supply. Additionally, all Mac mini systems are sold without a display, keyboard, or mouse, but a wide variety of Apple and third-party peripherals are available.