Hardware

Cracking Open the Apple Mac mini 2011

By // July 26, 2011, 7:58 AM PST // billdetwiler

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  • Cracking Open the Mac Mini 2011

    In July 2011, Apple updated their Mac Mini line. The new machines have the same model number (A1347) as the 2010 Mac models, but the 2011 models have Intel Core i5 and i7 processors, more RAM, and larger hard drives. Apple removed the optical drive, but added a Thunderbolt port.

    Follow along as we go inside Apple's compact desktop.

    To disassemble the new Mac Mini you'll need a screwdriver with Torx T6 and T8 bits.

    Photo by: Bill Detwiler / TechRepublic
    Caption by: Bill Detwiler

  • Cracking Open the Mac Mini 2011: Box

    The 2011 Mac Mini is available in three configurations and starts at $599 (US). Our $799 Mac MIni came with a 2.5GHz dual-core Intel Core i5 processor, 4GB RAM, 500GB hard drive, and AMD Radeon HD 6630M graphics processor.

    Photo by: Bill Detwiler / TechRepublic
    Caption by: Bill Detwiler

  • Cracking Open the Mac Mini 2011: In the box

  • Cracking Open the Mac Mini 2011: Documentation, HDMI to DVI Adapter, and AC power cord

  • Cracking Open the Mac Mini 2011:

    The 2011 Mac Mini measures 1.4 inches (H) x 7.7 inches (W) x 7.7 inches (D). It weighs 2.7 pounds.

    Photo by: Bill Detwiler / TechRepublic
    Caption by: Bill Detwiler

  • Cracking Open the Mac Mini 2011: Front

    Unlike the 2010 Mac Mini, the 2011 model does not have an optical drive. Apple does sell and external drive, which could be used with the Mini. But, the absence of an optical drive highlights Apple's strategy of deploying software through the App Store.

    Photo by: Bill Detwiler / TechRepublic
    Caption by: Bill Detwiler

     

  • Cracking Open the Mac Mini 2011: Back (ports and power button)

    Apple added a Thunderbolt port to the 2011 Mac Mini.

    Photo by: Bill Detwiler / TechRepublic
    Caption by: Bill Detwiler

  • Cracking Open the Mac Mini 2011: Bottom

  • Cracking Open the Mac Mini 2011: Rotating the bottom cover to the "unlocked" position

    As on the 2010 Mac Mini, the bottom cover can be unlocked by twisting it.

    Photo by: Bill Detwiler / TechRepublic
    Caption by: Bill Detwiler

  • Cracking Open the Mac Mini 2011: Removing the bottom cover

  • Cracking Open the Mac Mini 2011: First look inside

  • Cracking Open the Mac Mini 2011: Removing the RAM

  • Cracking Open the Mac Mini 2011: 4GB Samsung RAM (2GB M471B5773DH0-CH9 x 2)

  • Cracking Open the Mac Mini 2011: Removing the fan screws

  • Cracking Open the Mac Mini 2011: Removing the fan

  • Cracking Open the Mac Mini 2011: Fan

  • Cracking Open the Mac Mini 2011: Removing the wireless antenna plate screws

  • Cracking Open the Mac Mini 2011: Removing the wireless antenna plate

  • Cracking Open the Mac Mini 2011: Wireless antenna plate

  • Cracking Open the Mac Mini 2011: Removing the heat sink cover screws

  • Cracking Open the Mac Mini 2011: Removing the heat sink cover

  • Cracking Open the Mac Mini 2011: Removing the hard drive

  • Cracking Open the Mac Mini 2011: Toshiba 500GB MK506GSXF HDD

  • Cracking Open the Mac Mini 2011: Removing the motherboard screws

  • Cracking Open the Mac Mini 2011: Prying loose the motherboard

  • Cracking Open the Mac Mini 2011: Disconnecting the power supply from the motherboard

  • Cracking Open the Mac Mini 2011: Removing the motherboard

  • Cracking Open the Mac Mini 2011: Case with power supply and motherboard bracket still installed

  • Cracking Open the Mac Mini 2011: Removing the power supply screw

  • Cracking Open the Mac Mini 2011: Remvoing the power supply clip

  • Cracking Open the Mac Mini 2011: Removing the power supply

  • Cracking Open the Mac Mini 2011: Delta Electronics 614-0503 power supply

  • Cracking Open the Mac Mini 2011: Removing the motherboard bracket screw

  • Cracking Open the Mac Mini 2011: Removing the motherboard bracket

  • Cracking Open the Mac Mini 2011: Motherbaord bracket

  • Cracking Open the Mac Mini 2011: Empty case

  • Cracking Open the Mac Mini 2011: Motherboard and attached components - Top

  • Cracking Open the Mac Mini 2011: Motherboard and attached components - Bottom

  • Cracking Open the Mac Mini 2011: Removing the speaker screw

  • Cracking Open the Mac Mini 2011: Removing the speaker

  • Cracking Open the Mac Mini 2011: Speaker

  • Cracking Open the Mac Mini 2011: Removing the Broadcomm wireless card

  • Cracking Open the Mac Mini 2011: Broadcomm 94331PCIEBT3AX wireless card - Bottom

  • Cracking Open the Mac Mini 2011: Broadcomm 94331PCIEBT3AX wireless card - Top

  • Cracking Open the Mac Mini 2011: Removing the heatsink

  • Cracking Open the Mac Mini 2011: Heat sink - Top

  • Cracking Open the Mac Mini 2011: heat sink - Bottom

  • Cracking Open the Mac Mini 2011: Removing the underside heat sinks

  • Cracking Open the Mac Mini 2011: Motherboard - Top

  • Cracking Open the Mac Mini 2011: Motherboard - Bottom

  • Cracking Open the Mac Mini 2011: Intel V108A053 2.5 GHz Dual-Core i5 processor

  • Cracking Open the Mac Mini 2011: AMD AMD Radeon HD 6630M graphics processor

  • Cracking Open the Mac Mini 2011: F2117LP 20H RVP AC02179 1111JPN

  • Cracking Open the Mac Mini 2011: Intersil ISL6263 5-Bit VID Single-Phase Voltage Regulator

  • Cracking Open the Mac Mini 2011: Intersil ISL6364 Dual PWM Controller

  • Cracking Open the Mac Mini 2011: Cypress CY7C638 Low-Speed USB Peripheral Controller

  • Cracking Open the Mac Mini 2011: SMSC 1428-7 System Management Bus temperature sensor

  • Cracking Open the Mac Mini 2011: SMSC USB2513B USB 2.0 Hub Controller

  • Cracking Open the Mac Mini 2011: Parade PS8171 HDMI/DVI Level Shifter

  • Cracking Open the Mac Mini 2011: TDK 6T213HF 1115 R

  • Cracking Open the Mac Mini 2011: NXP 1112 /A 11181B

  • Cracking Open the Mac Mini 2011: Intel BD82HM65 Platform Controller Hub

  • Cracking Open the Mac Mini 2011: Intel L112IA86 EFL Thunderbolt port controller IC

  • Cracking Open the Mac Mini 2011: Texas Instruments XIO2211ZAY FireWire Controller

  • Cracking Open the Mac Mini 2011: Broadcom BCM57765B0KMLG gigabit ethernet and memory card controller

  • Cracking Open the Mac Mini 2011: Atmel 1106 45DB021D SSH

  • Cracking Open the Mac Mini 2011: Macronix MXIC MX 25L6406E M2I-12GF

  • Cracking Open the Mac Mini 2011: Hynix H5GQ1H24BFR GDDR5 SGRAM (x2)

  • Cracking Open the Mac Mini 2011: Fairchild DB13AX

  • Cracking Open the Mac Mini 2011: Cirrus Logic 4206BCNZ Audio Controller

  • Cracking Open the Mac Mini 2011: Fairchild DB11CP

  • Cracking Open the Mac Mini 2011: Fairchild DB21XX

  • Cracking Open the Mac Mini 2011: Panasonic 3V BR2032 battery

  • Cracking Open the Mac Mini 2011: Complete teardown

Cracking Open the Mac Mini 2011

In July 2011, Apple updated their Mac Mini line. The new machines have the same model number (A1347) as the 2010 Mac models, but the 2011 models have Intel Core i5 and i7 processors, more RAM, and larger hard drives. Apple removed the optical drive, but added a Thunderbolt port.

Follow along as we go inside Apple's compact desktop.

To disassemble the new Mac Mini you'll need a screwdriver with Torx T6 and T8 bits.

Photo by: Bill Detwiler / TechRepublic
Caption by: Bill Detwiler

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By Bill Detwiler

Bill Detwiler is Editor in Chief of TechRepublic and the host of Cracking Open, CNET and TechRepublic's popular online show. Prior to joining TechRepublic in 2000, Bill was an IT manager, database administrator, and desktop support specialist in the ...