Mac mini Early 2006

The Apple Mac mini "Core Solo" 1.5 is equipped with a 1.5 GHz Intel "Core Solo" (T1200) processor, featuring a 2 MB on-chip L2 cache and a 667 MHz frontside bus. It has 512 MB of 667 MHz DDR2 SDRAM (PC2-5300), a 60 GB Serial ATA hard drive at 5400 RPM, a slot-loading 8X single-layer DVD/CD-RW Combo Drive, and an Intel GMA950 graphics processor sharing 64 MB of DDR2 SDRAM with main memory.

Connectivity consists of DVI (with an included DVI-to-VGA adapter), Firewire "400", four 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, and integrated AirPort Extreme (802.11g) and Bluetooth 2.0+EDR. It does not have a built-in 56k modem, but an external Apple USB Modem could be acquired for US$49.

Following the design of the Mac mini G4 models, its internal components are smartly housed in a compact and sleek 2.9 lb, 6.5-inch square, two-inch-tall case, which includes a built-in speaker and uses an external power supply.

The Mac mini "Core Solo" 1.5 also came with an Apple Remote for use with the Apple Front Row media organization software. The "Core" systems were sold without a display, keyboard, or mouse, though a variety of Apple and third-party peripherals were available.

The entry-level Mac mini with the 1.5GHz Core Solo processor was met with a lukewarm reception, largely viewed as an underpowered machine created to hit a low price point. While it marked the transition to Intel architecture and was faster than the G4 models it replaced, the single-core processor struggled with multitasking and felt noticeably sluggish compared to its Core Duo sibling. Reviewers consistently advised prospective buyers to spend the extra money for the dual-core model, as the performance difference was dramatic. The integrated Intel GMA950 graphics were weak, and the base 512MB of RAM was barely adequate. It was functional for basic tasks like web browsing and word processing, but its compromises were significant. Its primary evaluation was that of a machine that looked great on a desk but whose performance didn't quite live up to the promise of the Intel transition.