Yes, the rumors were true. Apple has introduced a low priced computer.
Now you don’t have any excuse to stick around with your old PC. This is your best chance to have the Mac feel for just $499. Just plug in your monitor, keyboard, and mouse in the Apple’s Mac Mini and you are ready to relish the Mac OS X and iLife experience.
The mere two inches tall, 1.3 kg in weight, compact processor is loaded with iLife '05, the latest version of Apple's suite of software having upgrades of iPhoto, iMovie, iDVD and GarageBand and the latest version of iTunes 4.7.1. The software too was launched along with Mac Mini by Apple during the Macworld Expo in San Fransisco, USA.
Mac mini comes with either a 1.25 GHz processor priced at $499 or 1.42 GHz PowerPC G4 processor and ATI Radeon 9200 graphics with 32 MB of dedicated DDR memory priced at $599. Both models have a slot-load combo drive and an 80 GB hard drive.
It also has one FireWire 400, two USB 2.0 ports and a DVI interface for supporting VGA. This can allow users to plug-in a range of LCD or CRT displays.
From the device configuration it is very clear that the Mac Mini is designed with home entertainment in mind.
Industry experts have pointed that though the Mac Mini is marketed as the cheap computer it is actually not cheaper than the earlier eMac if you factor-in the cost of monitor, keyboard and mouse. However, the Mac Mini is actually targeted to those people who already own a PC and don’t want to unnecessarily pay for additional accessories while buying a new processor.
Mac Mini will be available throughout the world at Apple's retail stores and Apple Authorized Resellers from January 29.
