Mac mini (Early 2009) and Mac mini (Late 2009): External Ports and Connectors
Summary
Learn about the external ports and connectors on your Mac mini (Early 2009) and Mac mini (Late 2009) computers. All ports and connectors discussed in this document are located on the Input/Output (I/O) panel on the back of the computer.
Products Affected
Mac mini (Late 2009), Mac mini (Early 2009)
Power port |
This port is for connecting the Mac Mini (Early 2009) and Mac mini (Late 2009) power supply. The Mac Mini (Early 2009) and Mac mini (Late 2009) power connector is very similar to that of the Apple Cinema Display. Take care to differentiate the two connectors when you use the Mac Mini (Early 2009) or Mac mini (Late 2009) with an Apple Cinema Display. |
Gigabit Ethernet port (10/100/1000 Gigabit Base-T) |
The Mac Mini (Early 2009) and Mac mini (Late 2009) has a built-in 10/100/1000 Gigabit Ethernet port. Connect to an Ethernet cable from a cable or DSL modem, hub, switch, or router, or to another Macintosh computer. The connected device can be either a 10Base-T, 100Base-TX or a 1000Base-T device; the port automatically detects which type of device is connected. You don't have to use an Ethernet crossover cable to connect to other Ethernet devices. |
One FireWire 800 port |
The Mac Mini (Early 2009) and Mac mini (Late 2009) features one 800 Mbit/s FireWire (IEEE 1394b) port; 8 watts. 800 Mbit/s is a theoretical maximum load, and actual rates will vary. This port is used by older iPods as well as devices not made by Apple such as video cameras or external hard drives or optical drives. |
Mini DVI port |
Use the Mini DVI port to connect a compatible DVI display using the included Mini-DVI to DVI adapter, or to a VGA display using the Mini-DVI to VGA Adapter (M9320G/A) sold separately. Enjoy extended desktop or video mirroring mode up to 1920 by 1200 pixels through this port. |
| Mini DisplayPort |
Use the Mini DisplayPort to connect a compatible Dual-Link DVI display using the Mini DisplayPort to Dual-Link DVI adapter (MB571Z/A) sold separately. Enjoy extended desktop or video mirroring mode up to 2560 by 1600 pixels on a Dual-Link DVI display through this port. The Mac mini (Early 2009) will simultaneously support video from both display ports. |
Five USB (Universal Serial Bus) 2.0 ports |
The Mac Mini (Early 2009) and Mac mini (Late 2009) has a total of five USB 2.0 compliant ports. You can connect both USB 2.0- and USB 1.1-compliant devices to these ports. The USB ports use USB Type A connectors, which have four pins each. The USB 2.0 ports support low-speed, full-speed, and high-speed data transfers at up to 1.5 megabits per second (Mbit/s), 12 Mbit/s, and 480 Mbit/s, respectively. |
| Security slot | This slot is designed to fit a lock and cable to prevent theft. Such locks are available through the Apple Store. |
Audio in/optical audio in port |
The Audio In port accommodates both digital optical input and analog audio input. Analog audio line input is accepted through a 3.5mm mini phone jack. The sound input jack accepts line-level stereo signals up to 24-bit stereo 44.1-192kHz sampling rate. It also accepts a stereo miniplug-to-RCA cable adapter for connecting stereo equipment to the computer. Optical audio input is SPDIF format and uses a standard toslink cable with a toslink mini-plug adapter, accepting up to 24-bit stereo and 44.1-96kHz sampling rate. |
Headphone out/optical audio out port |
The headphone / line output jack accommodates digital optical audio output, analog audio output with a 24-bit, 44.1-192 kHz D/A converter, digital audio output up to 24-bit stereo and 44.1-192 kHz sampling rate and supporting encoded digital audio output (AC3 and DTS). For analog headphone / line output, use a standard audio cable with 3.5mm metal plug. For digital audio, you can use a standard toslink cable with a toslink mini-plug adapter. |