Lesson 21. About Mac mini Models

On January 11, 2005, Apple unveiled the Mac mini, a new desktop computer designed specifically for the consumer and education markets. Mac mini features a radically different form factor and an aggressive pricing structure. Additionally, a keyboard and mouse are not included with the system; they must be purchased separately.

Visually, the Mac mini is comparable to the Power Mac G4 Cube since, most notably, it ships without a display and is small. The Mac mini footprint is an impressive 6.5 inches square by 2 inches tall, and it weighs only 2.9 pounds. (In reality, the Power Mac G4 Cube was quite a bit larger, coming in at a whopping 8 inches square by 10 inches tall and weighing 28.7 pounds.)

The following chart outlines the major technical differences among the Mac mini models. Use this chart to distinguish between various models and to determine the capabilities of each.