Mac Mini Power Supply

@Tobias, thanks for sharing your experience. Seems you found a diamond in the rough with the Acopian; glad you're happy. Would you mind sharing the model number? I also own a 2009 Mac Mini and the thought of a better PS seems interesting.

--Tom in Saxramento

@ 4hannons, sorry for slow response. The Acopian model I happened across on eBay was A18H1400. That's a Gold Box Type A linear regulated supply rated at 14 amps output.

14 amps of current is somewhat more than the stock Mini power supply's output, which is nominally 10 amps. Message board posts seem to indicate 8.5 amps is quite sufficient. However it's best to keep in mind that some extra power is needed to feed the USB and Firewire buses, so if you power a drive or a DAC from the Mini, you will definitely need headroom.

Acopian model number A15H1150 is definitely big enough. This one is specified as a 15-volt supply; the idea is to require your unit be built to output 18 volts, when you place your order.

Acopian has been really great to deal with, in my experience.

The OP was devoid of any sort of analysis of power supply being stressed such as drooping voltage or current under load, etc. Which supports the idea that it was merely a fishing expedition to sell unneeded power supplies for the Mac Mini. You can easily tell when a mini goes from 'working hard' to 'approaching maximum' by the sound of the cooling fan as it slows down slightly. That is the clue to start monitoring voltages and currents supplied by the PS. My Mac PSs never get more than warm and I doubt they would ever prove inadequate. Any limitations would derive from the mini itself and would depend on its instantaneous loading and its ability to shed chores in response.
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