Is the mac-mini the same as a macbook?

leecho7 · Sep 16, 2006

Is the mac-mini similar to the macbook regarding hardware? I tried the search already and couldn't find a thread that relates to my question, but then again I was a little lazy and didn't bother to read through each and individual post.

The reason why I ask is due to curiosity and to help a friend decide if he wants a mini, or dish out extra for a macbook.

dtravis7 · Sep 16, 2006

It's similar in basics but the Mini is a Desktop system and the MacBook is a Laptop/Notebook. They use the same basic Intel Core Duo CPU, the same Intel GMA950 Video and the mini since it's so small uses Laptop Hard Drive and DVD drive. The Macbook does have the option for a faster CPU though but not that much. The real difference is the Laptop/Desktop part.

So yes, they are similar but different in what the intended use is since a Mini is tied to an external monitor and keyboard and mouse.

wakerider017 · Sep 16, 2006

I believe the mini uses SDRAM and Macbooks use SO-DIMM... Right?

If that is the case then they are actually quite different...

Different Mobo's and RAM...

dtravis7 · Sep 16, 2006

The Core Duo Intel Mini uses SoDimm's. It uses Laptop memory, Hard Drive, Optical drive. The part that makes them different is one is portable with built in keyboard, mouse and display. The other one does not. Sure the motherboard layout is different, but the basic parts are the same.

Avalon · Sep 16, 2006

As dtravis7 said, the mini and the MacBook are basically the same (left aside the portable vs. desktop difference). Only CPU's are different, 1.66/1.83GHz, socketed, for the mini, and 1.83/2.0GHz, soldered, for the MacBook. RAMs are the same, HD is the same, optical drive is slightly different, the one in the MacBook is slimer and can't burn dual layer DVDs.

wakerider017 · Sep 16, 2006

dtravis7 said:
The Core Duo Intel Mini uses SoDimm's. It uses Laptop memory, Hard Drive, Optical drive. The part that makes them different is one is portable with built in keyboard, mouse and display. The other one does not. Sure the motherboard layout is different, but the basic parts are the same.

Thank you for that correction.

Aptmunich · Sep 17, 2006

All the first intel based macs used the same RAM (macbook, macbook pro, mac mini, imac core duo).

I'm not sure if this has changed with the core2duo imac though...

dtravis7 · Sep 17, 2006

Aptmunich said:
All the first intel based macs used the same RAM (macbook, macbook pro, mac mini, imac core duo).

I'm not sure if this has changed with the core2duo imac though...

That is a good question and point! Off to find out!

:spook:

Edit, Yep, still SoDimm's.

17-inch model with 1.83GHz processor
512MB (2x256MB) of PC2-5300 (667MHz) DDR2 memory
Two SODIMM slots support up to 2GB
17-inch model with 2.0GHz processor, 20-inch and 24-inch models
1GB (2x512MB) of PC2-5300 (667MHz) DDR2 memory
Two SODIMM slots support up to 3GB

leecho7 · Sep 17, 2006

Thanks for the replies guys, really do appreciate it.

wakerider017 · Sep 17, 2006

dtravis7 said:
That is a good question and point! Off to find out!

:spook:

Edit, Yep, still SoDimm's.

17-inch model with 1.83GHz processor
512MB (2x256MB) of PC2-5300 (667MHz) DDR2 memory
Two SODIMM slots support up to 2GB
17-inch model with 2.0GHz processor, 20-inch and 24-inch models
1GB (2x512MB) of PC2-5300 (667MHz) DDR2 memory
Two SODIMM slots support up to 3GB

Thanks for researching that!