Inside the Mac mini 2010

Apple has updated the Mac mini, and it didn't take long for the guys at iFixit to get their hands on one and take it apart for our education and entertainment.

So, what did they find?

• The Mac mini's unibody top enclosure is machined from a single block of aluminum.
• All it takes is a simple counter-clockwise twist do get in at the innards - no need for the putty knife!
• Popping out the RAM is very simple, requiring only the simple prying of two clips.
• The cooling fan doesn't have too much work to do, since the new Mac Mini is the most energy-efficient desktop, running on less than 10 watts at idle!
• There are two blind holes in the case of the Mini that are meant for the ends of Apple's custom U-shaped logic board removal tool. iFixit just used two Torx screwdrivers. They call them the "Mac Mini logic board removal tool." :)
• The fins directing air toward the vent hole are slanted to allow for better fan placement.
• The new Mini's power supply puts out a minuscule 7 Amps at 12V. Compare that to the 25.8 Amps at 12V cranked out by the iMac Intel 27", and you can understand how they fit the power supply inside the Mini.
• The Mac mini's speaker is a tiny 3/8" woofer dome.
• Apple had to get creative with the antenna placement because they switched to unibody construction for this Mac Mini.