Mac mini · Retina & Beyond · 2014
Mac mini (2014)
Cheaper but controversial: Apple soldered the memory and dropped the quad-core option, then left the mini untouched for four long years.
Dropped to $499, but soldered the RAM, sparking owner backlash.
Mac mini (2018) (2018)
Mac mini (2014): key facts
When was the Mac mini (2014) released?
The Mac mini (2014) arrived on October 16, 2014. Apple discontinued it in October 2018.
How much did the Mac mini (2014) cost?
The Mac mini (2014) launched at $499 in 2014, about $675 in today’s money (approximate, US CPI).
What specs stand out?
Key specs: Intel Core i5 at 1.40 GHz, 4 GB RAM, 488.3 GB storage, External display.
Why does the Mac mini (2014) matter?
Dropped to $499, but soldered the RAM, sparking owner backlash.
Full specifications
| CPU | Intel Core i5 · 1.40 GHz |
|---|---|
| Cores | 2 |
| Memory (RAM) | 4 GB (up to 16 GB) |
| Storage | 488.3 GB |
| Display | External |
| GPU | Intel HD 5000 |
| Ports | USB 3, Thunderbolt 2, HDMI, Ethernet |
| Weight | 1.2 kg |
| Dimensions | 19.7×19.7×3.6 cm |
| Operating system | OS X 10.10 Yosemite |
| Released | October 16, 2014 |
| Discontinued | October 2018 |
| Launch price | $499 |
How the Mac mini (2014) compares to today
A 16 GB Apple Silicon MacBook Pro has about 4.0× more memory than this device shipped with.
At 1.40 GHz, the clock is roughly 2.3× slower than a single performance core of a 16 GB Apple Silicon MacBook Pro, and that is before counting cores, width and IPC.
This held about 125,000 modern phone photos, a respectable library even today.
Launched at $499 in 2014, about $675 in today’s money (approx., US CPI).
Method note: clock comparisons use frequency only; price conversions use US CPI.
Sources
Specs checked against Apple technical specifications archive, EveryMac, Mactracker, Wikimedia Commons image credits.
Did you know?
Upgraders were so annoyed it became a cautionary tale about soldered RAM.
Related Mac mini models
Open the Mac mini (2014) in the interactive archive →
Last updated: 2026-08-11