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Apple launched the original Mac mini 20 years ago today, kickstarting a trend of small but powerful computers.

Mac-mini-20-Years-Feature.jpg

The Mac mini was originally designed as a gateway for users to enter the Apple ecosystem without the expense associated with the company's higher-end offerings of the time, such as the Power Mac G5 and iMac G5, and costly peripherals. Apple's then-CEO Steve Jobs described the Mac mini as "the most affordable Mac ever" during its unveiling at Macworld Expo 2005, noting that its $499 starting price was intended to appeal to PC users looking to switch to the Mac platform. Today's base model Mac mini with the M4 chip costs just $599.

The original Mac mini featured a PowerPC G4 processor available in 1.25 GHz and 1.42 GHz configurations, an ATI Radeon 9200 GPU, 256MB of DDR SDRAM (expandable to 1GB), and 40GB or 80GB of HDD storage. Connectivity included two USB 2.0 ports, a FireWire 400 port, and DVI output. It shipped with Mac OS X Panther and iLife '05. The Mac mini's aluminum and polycarbonate casing measured just 6.5 x 6.5 x 2 inches—far smaller than the bulky tower PCs and even many contemporary Macs of the time.

Today's Mac mini has evolved considerably from the model introduced in 2005, featuring an even smaller casing, recycled aluminum, Thunderbolt 5 connectivity, and Apple's custom silicon for a massive leap in performance and efficiency. While the first-generation Mac mini was powered by the PowerPC architecture, Apple transitioned to Intel processors in 2006 and its own custom silicon in 2020. Today's high-end version can be equipped with the M4 Pro chip and up to 64GB of memory, offering a super-compact workstation that rivals even the Mac Studio.

Article Link: Apple's Mac Mini Turns 20 Today
 
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I've owned or used basically every model of Mac mini from the original G4 all the way to the current M4 - and I love them. The only time I've ever had to open one for any reason is to remove the hard disk for disposal, or to upgrade the RAM back when that was possible. I still remember when Steve Jobs stood on the stage at MacWorld and said "BYODKM"
 
I upgraded from my first Mac, a G4 'Sawtooth' PowerMac to a Core2Duo Mac mini. The G4 was my entry into the world of Macs, OS X on PowerPC won me over as it was such a better experience than Windows XP (on a PC many times more powerful), and the Mac mini ensured that I stayed.

I'd love to get another Mac mini, and keep my MacBook Pro for using on the go, but I can't justify it at the moment. I'll have to wait and see what the next few years bring.
 
I just bought a G4 mac mini *today* off Facebook marketplace! I've been looking for one because I thought I'd be fun to try and run OS 9.2.2 on it - I've never owned or really used classic mac os.

 
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My fist Mac was a 2006 mini running Tiger. Noticed that it was way more pleasant to use than Windows. I had a couple of MacBooks after then returned in 2012 with a 4 core Mac Mini that I still use to this day in OS Mojave (I am an iTunes holdout and a bit of an iTunes “power user,” and the Apple Music app just doesn’t cut the mustard).
 
The Mac mini is the perfect blend of affordability and premium quality hardware / software. My first Mac was a new £500 2012 mini and it’s one of the best value machines I’ve ever bought. After a 5,1 Mac Pro (great power and gaming performance but a pain in the backside) and a MacBook Air M1 I’ve come full circle and I’m gearing up to buy a fully loaded Mac mini M4 in a couple of days!
 
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The Mac mini is a result of Steve Jobs being a visionary as well as prioritizing ordinary customers over shareholders. If Tim Cook was CEO back then, the Mac mini may have never been released because Cook doesn't care about people who cannot afford more expensive products.

I wish Jobs had chosen Scott Forstall to succeed him as CEO. Forstall is a visionary who would've likely released products just as innovative as the Mac mini.
 
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