Apple Mac Mini 2nd Generation (2006)

Apple Mac Mini 2nd Generation

The Mac mini (2nd Generation), introduced in February 2006 for $599, marked the transition of Apple’s smallest desktop from PowerPC to Intel Core processors, effectively doubling the performance of its predecessor. While it retained the iconic 6.5-inch "bento box" aluminum-and-plastic chassis of the original G4 model, it added modern features like a built-in Apple Remote and the Front Row media interface, positioning it as a capable home theater PC. This generation was the first to offer a "Double-Layer" SuperDrive and a SATA hard drive interface, though it remained notoriously difficult for users to open, requiring a thin putty knife to pop the internal tension clips. This specific form factor saw various processor upgrades—from the early Core Solo to the more robust Core 2 Duo—before it was officially discontinued on June 15, 2010, to make way for the sleeker, unibody aluminum redesign.

Donated by: Chris K.