by 
Apple
Last year’s Mac mini brought a number of drastic changes to the compact desktop computer: Core i5 processors that replaced the aging Core 2 Duo CPUs, Thunderbolt ports, and the discontinuation of a built-in SuperDrive. The new Mac mini may not be quite as revolutionary as the 2011 models, but its updates are still significant.
The 2012 Mac mini introduces USB 3, which replaces the tired, old USB 2.0 ports found in the previous model. The new Mac mini also has faster integrated graphics, and, for the first time, quad-core processors.
You look familiar
This Mac mini update maintains many physical aspects that were introduced with the mid-2010 Mac mini, including a low-profile (1.4 inches high, 7.7 inches deep and wide) aluminum unibody design. The front has a pin-hole sized activity light and IR port. The back of the new model has a power button, power cord input, and ports for gigabit ethernet, FireWire 800, HDMI, Thunderbolt, and USB 3. An SDXC card slot and audio-out and audio-in ports round out the physical connection types, while 802.11a/b/g/n Wi-Fi, Bluetooth 4.0, and an IR port deliver wireless connectivity.
2012 Mac mini: Rear ports
As always, Apple invites you to bring your own keyboard, mouse, and display to the Mac mini party—they’re not included. The box includes an HDMI to DVI cable, but you may need additional adapters—such as one for DVI—that will cost extra money.
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