There was no 2008 mini, but there was a 2007 and a 2009. I have one of the latter on El Capitan. Speedy it's not but it does work. It also runs Linux. OK, it 'walks briskly' on Linux Mint MATE.I had the 2008 Mini. Putting Lion on it was a big mistake though 😬
Edit: I misread which Mini the fine article is talking about! 😆 But it is still true that Lion was a mistake on that poor thing.