Apple kills off G4 Mac mini

If you were hoping the launch of Apple's Intel-based Mac mini would be your chance to pick up a bargain-basement G4 mini, you're out of luck. Though Apple was selling the mini for full price on its online store earlier today, once the Intel version came out, the G4 version vanished. Of course, you can still buy a G4 mini for about $499 from a third-party dealer, many of whom seem to have plenty of unsold inventory. But to bring its specs even close to those of the $599 Core Solo version (which includes Bluetooth, WiFi, 512MB RAM and an 80GB hard drive in its base configuration), you're going to have to spend at least another $100, negating any savings. Give those dealers a couple of weeks, though. Chances are those prices will come down pretty quickly.

[mba_overlord @ Feb 28th 2006 2:53PM]

first on base.

[dcartguy @ Feb 28th 2006 2:56PM]

It's funny how everyone is commenting about the iPod Hi-Fi but no one has anything to say about the intel mac mini.

[Brian @ Feb 28th 2006 3:09PM]

I'm not so sure about the Intel Graphics Chip and the "Shared 64MB DDR2" it uses.

[Sagar @ Feb 28th 2006 3:10PM]

Nothing to say except integrated graphics with shared memory.

[JamesBrown @ Feb 28th 2006 3:28PM]

i don't care what anyone says, the original mac mini had a good run. now you'll be able to get a used one for dirt cheap. put it in your kitchen or something. hook it to your tv. get a cheap pvr. a good low-end media center as far as i'm concerned.

[Timothy @ Feb 28th 2006 3:42PM]

Solo version has a 60 gig drive, not an 80 gig, that's reserved for the core duo. Just so ya know there Engadget.

[Sagar @ Feb 28th 2006 3:45PM]

It just stinks that Apple stopped selling the G4 imac. I figured they would do this until their supply ran out. I intended getting one for around 400, and a refurb one for 300-350.

Now I guess I will get the new Intel one with my ADC membership for 530 bucks.

[Jordan @ Feb 28th 2006 6:51PM]

Mac Mini G4 you had a good run. Why did they end selling them? RIP MAC MINI G4 January 22,2005-February 28,2006. WILL ALWAYS BE REMEBERED BY ALL MAC FANS.

[Jim @ Feb 28th 2006 7:15PM]

The Mac Mini G4 may not be available at the Apple Online Store anymore, but I'm sure Apple Retail Stores will still have some stock of them for a limited time. Price probably won't drop too much though since the old base model was always a hundred bucks cheaper than the new model is now... By the way, as a mac fan I have no real experience with "shared" graphics memory. Does this mean there is no RAM on the graphics card itself?...

[dave @ Feb 28th 2006 9:40PM]

Price better come down quick, I've been putting off buying one waiting for the price drop once the Intels sprung out.

[darryl @ Feb 28th 2006 9:51PM]

The MacMini G4 also makes a great webserver.

[Alex @ Mar 1st 2006 6:54AM]

Actualy you can buy today mac mini (G4) at UK refurbished stroe for 250 GBP

[Dharmesh @ Mar 1st 2006 7:05AM]

I have been waiting for some time to place a Mac under my new LCD TV with Front Row & integrated DVR, but things are going the other way.

I think it's time to pay attention to Win-Tel media centre PCs I have been ignoring lately.

[Cecelia @ Mar 5th 2006 1:50AM]

Well, the G4 Mac mini is available from the specials/sale section of the site.

[Gino Gusmano @ Mar 5th 2006 11:34AM]

The G4 Mac Mini is no barn burner, but the machine is quite capable, small, attractive and extremely quiet. I'm glad to see an Intel version and I'll wait to see performance reviews before casting any stones at the integrated graphics.

[Marisa Giesey @ Mar 16th 2006 12:20AM]

I want to replace a G4 silverdoor that died due to a power surge when power went out in a storm, would the mini mac be a possible replacement? Just the logic board replacement is over 600 smackers, if you can even find one. I can't find a 1.42.