Macworld: Apple introduces Mac mini

Apple today introduced Mac mini, the most affordable and compact Mac ever.

Starting at just $499, Mac mini is a desktop computer for anyone looking to get started with Mac OS X and features iLife '05, the latest version of Apple's suite of software for managing digital photo and music collections, editing movies and creating music. Just two-inches tall and weighing only 2.9 pounds, Mac mini redefines design for the sub-$1,000 desktop.

"Starting at just $499, Mac mini is the most affordable way to enjoy Mac OS X and iLife," said Steve Jobs, Appleâ€™s CEO. "Just plug in your display, keyboard and mouse and youâ€™ve got an incredibly compact Mac for a price that almost anyone can afford."

Every Mac mini includes iLife â€˜05, which was introduced today. Mac mini offers the processing and graphics performance to take advantage of demanding consumer applications with either a 1.25 GHz or 1.42 GHz PowerPC G4 processor and ATI Radeon 9200 graphics with 32MB of dedicated DDR memory. Both models come with a slot-load Combo drive for watching DVD movies and burning CDs, and up to an 80GB hard drive for storing digital media creations.

Mac mini includes one FireWire 400 and two USB 2.0 ports for easy plug-and-play connections to popular peripherals such as Apple iPod digital music player, digital still cameras, digital video camcorders and printers. Mac mini offers a DVI interface that also supports VGA so cusers can easily connect to a variety of LCD or CRT displays. The new Mac mini includes built-in 10/100BASE-T Ethernet and a 56K V.92 modem for easy Internet access, and offers optional support for an AirPort Extreme Card for 54 Mbps 802.11g fast wireless networking along with an internal Bluetooth module for the latest in wireless communications.

Mac OS X version 10.3 "Panther" will be pre-installed on every Mac mini and delivers features including iChat AV desktop video conferencing, Mail, Safari web browser, Sherlock, Address Book, QuickTime, iSync, iCal, DVD Player and the Classic environment. Mac mini also comes with a collection of productivity and entertainment titles designed to meet the needs of the entire family, including Quicken 2005 for Mac, Nanosaur 2 and MarbleBlast Gold.

Pricing & Availability

Mac mini will be available in the US on Saturday, January 22 and worldwide on Saturday, January 29 in two standard configurations.

The 1.25 GHz Mac mini, for a suggested retail price of $499 (US), includes:

1.25 GHz PowerPC G4 processor;

256MB of 333 MHz DDR SDRAM, expandable to 1GB;

40GB Ultra ATA hard drive;

Combo (DVD-ROM/CD-RW) optical drive;

ATI Radeon 9200 graphics processor with 32MB video memory;

One FireWire 400 and two USB 2.0 ports;

10/100 BASE-T Ethernet networking and 56K V.92 modem;

Internal support for AirPort Extreme wireless networking and Bluetooth;

DVI or VGA out (adapter included), composite/S-video out with optional adapter; and

Built-in speaker and headphone/line out.

The 1.42 GHz Mac mini, for a suggested retail price of $599 (US), includes:

1.42 GHz PowerPC G4 processor;

256MB of 333 MHz DDR SDRAM, expandable to 1GB;

80GB Ultra ATA hard drive;

Combo (DVD-ROM/CD-RW) optical drive;

ATI Radeon 9200 graphics processor with 32MB video memory;

One FireWire 400 and two USB 2.0 ports;

10/100 BASE-T Ethernet networking and 56K V.92 modem;

Internal support for AirPort Extreme wireless networking and Bluetooth;

DVI or VGA out (adapter included), composite/S-video out with optional adapter; and

Built-in speaker and headphone/line out.

Build-to-order options and accessories include up to 1GB of RAM, SuperDrive (DVDÂ±RW/CD-RW), AirPort Extreme Card, internal Bluetooth module, wired or wireless Apple Keyboard and Apple Mouse and the AppleCare Protection Plan.

56 Comments

fookz 5 comments · 21 Years

About 19 years ago

I'm sure someone else is thinking this:

If I put an Airport card in this thing and added some open source software, I'd have:

Firewall
Print Server
iTunes Server
Wireless Access Point
Secure File Server
Web Server [public and private]
and maybe a Mail Server...

In other words, I can have all the benefits of .mac, plus an Airport Express and a huge Network File Server, for $499 in a box that sits under the couch. That's not a mini mac... that's a Media Center / Home Server. All it needs is Tivo...Any thoughts on how hard it would be to set all that up (minus the Tivo)?

e1618978 5921 comments · 21 Years

About 19 years ago

This is going to kill the prices of used old macs -
who would buy a G3 tower or Cube anymore when you
can get this for $499. I wouldn't be surprised if they
sold 1 million units in the first week.

My order is scheduled for Janruary 22 delivery -
I ordered a 1.42/512/80/Airport/Bluetooth/Superdrive
unit - can't wait!

zunx 619 comments · 20 Years

About 19 years ago

Two Firewire ports. I need two firewire ports for external booting!

macmike 84 comments · 22 Years

About 19 years ago

I think Apple might have missed a few things on this one. Add in a small iPod like scroll wheel on the front, a remote control (sure, make it an additional accessory if they want to) and a few more audio/video input/output jacks, and I would put this thing in my entertainment center...

It would take the place of a CD player, DVD player, video recorder, it could play my iMovies, iPhotos on my TV with my surround sound, I could run iTunes through my home stereo speakers (with the cool visualizer on the big screen).... I think if they added a couple of things, this isn't just a cool, cheap Mac... but it's a cool, full-functioned, entertainment unit from Apple!