Apple Mac mini (mid 2011) Macmini5,1; Macmini5,2 Specifications & Installation Guides
Upgrading the Apple Mac mini (Mid 2011) is quite easy. You can add some RAM, replace a faulty Hard Drive or just get a new drive with a higher capacity. You can also add a second Hard Drive or SSD drive next to the existing one. All You'll need is some simple tools, and the correct parts. We then urge you to follow the videos or the Apple manual provided on the links below.
Please see our Apple RAM Memory for Mac mini page to locate your Apple compatible RAM upgrade for your Mac
Please see our OWC SSD options for Mac mini page to locate your Apple compatible Hard drives upgrades for your Mac
Mac mini: How to remove or install memory Learn how to remove or install memory in your Mac mini computer on the Apple support page.
OWC Memory Install Video
This video will help you replace your RAM in the Apple Mac mini (mid 2011)
Skill Level: "Easy" | Duration: 2:38 |
Hard Drive Installation Video
Step-by-step video of how to install a new OWC Hard drive in the Apple Mac mini (mid 2011)
Skill Level: "involved" | Duration: 8:14 |
Recommended Tools for the HDD/SSD upgrade:
- Macfixit 5-Piece Mini Toolkit
- Mac Mini Logic Board Removal Tool
- Spudger - Apple Pry Tool Non-Marking - Nylon (Black Stick) - 922-5065
You will also find some of these tools plus more in the complete toolkit from Newertech under the following link: Newer Technology 14 Piece Tool Set
OWC Data Doubler Install Video
OWC's step-by-step video of how to install an OWC Data Doubler in the Apple Mac mini (Mid 2011).
Skill Level: " Challenging" | Duration: 7:40 |
Recommended Tools for the install Data Doubler:
- T6 Torx Screwdriver
- T8 Torx Screwdriver
- Mac Mini Logic Board Removal tool
- Plastic Opening Tools
You will also find some of these tools plus more in the complete toolkit from Newertech under the following link: Newer Technology 14 Piece Tool Set
Or use the kits to mount Data Doubler:
- OWC Data Doubler 2.5" Hard Drive / SSD Installation Kit
- iFixit Mac Mini Dual Hard Drive Kit for Mac Mini 2011
Here is some detailed specifications as well as direct link to available upgrades:
| Apple Mac mini (Mid 2011) | |
| OVERVIEW | |
| Introduced | July 2011 |
| Discontinued | October 2012 |
| Model Identifier | Macmini5,1 (2.3 GHz) Macmini5,2 (2.5 or 2.7 GHz) |
| Model Number | A1347 |
| EMC | 2442 |
| Order Number | MC815LL/A (2.3 GHz), MC816LL/A (2.5 GHz) |
| PROCESSOR | |
| Processor | Intel Core i5 or Core i7 (2415M, 2520M, 2620M) ("Sandy Bridge") |
| Processor Speed | 2.3 or 2.5 GHz (Core i5) or 2.7 GHz (Core i7) |
| Architecture | 64-bit |
| Number of Cores | 2 |
| Cache | 3 MB (2.3, 2.5 GHz) 4 MB (2.7 GHz) on-chip shared L3 |
| System Bus | Intel Direct Media Interface (DMI) |
| STORAGE AND MEDIA | |
| Standard Storage | 500GB (5400-rpm) hard drive. Both models configurable to 750 GB (7200-rpm) hard drive; 2.5 GHz model also configurable to 256 GB solid-state drive or 256 GB solid-state drive and 750 GB (7200-rpm) hard drive |
| Link to upgrade tool & kits | Mac mini DIY kit |
| Link to internal HDD | Upgrade to a new 2.5” HDD |
| Link to internal SSD | Upgrade to a new 2.5” SSD |
| Media | |
| Link to external optical drive | Get an external burner here |
| PERIPHERALS | |
| Peripherals | |
| RAM | |
| Built-in Memory | |
| Maximum Memory | 16 GB (Actual) 8 GB (Apple) |
| Memory Slots | 2 - 204-pin PC-10600 (1333 MHz) DDR3 SO-DIMM |
| Interleaving Support | Yes |
| Link to RAM upgrade | Upgrade your RAM here |
| DISPLAY | |
| Built-in Display | |
| GRAPHICS | |
| Graphics Card | Intel HD Graphics 3000 or AMD Radeon HD 6630M |
| Graphics Memory | 288 MB of DDR3 SDRAM shared with main memory (HD Graphics 3000) 256 MB of GDDR5 SDRAM (Radeon HD 6630M) (Memory for the HD Graphics 3000 may vary depending on graphics needs. Minimum graphics memory usage is 288 MB.) |
| Display Connection | 1 - HDMI port or Thunderbolt digital video output |
| Display Support | Model with Intel graphics supports one Thunderbolt display. Model with AMD graphics supports up to two Thunderbolt displays |
| Display Modes | Dual display extended, video mirroring, and AirPlay Mirroring |
| External Resolution | Up to 2560 by 1600 (Thunderbolt) or 1920 by 1200 (HDMI) |
| CONNECTIONS | |
| Wi-Fi | 802.11n |
| Bluetooth | Bluetooth 4.0 |
| Ethernet | 10/100/1000BASE-T (RJ-45) |
| Modem | |
| USB | 4 - up to 5 Gbps |
| FireWire | 1 - 800 MBit/s |
| Thunderbolt | 1 - up to 10 Gbps |
| Display | 1 - HDMI port or Thunderbolt digital video output |
| Infrared | 1 - For Apple Remote only |
| Audio In | 1 - 3.5-mm analog/optical input jack |
| Audio Out | 1 - 3.5-mm analog/optical combo jack, 1 - Built-in speaker |
| EXPANSION | |
| Slots | 1 - Secure Digital (SDXC) |
| Hard Drive Interface | 6.0 Gbps Serial ATA (SATA) |
| Optical Drive Interface |