Mac mini · The Digital Hub · 2005
Mac mini (G4)
Apple’s pitch to switchers: a tiny box that let Windows users try the Mac without ditching their monitor and keyboard, for $499. A line that survives today.
The cheapest Mac ever, or "BYODKM": bring your own display, keyboard and mouse.
Mac mini (2012) (2012)
Mac mini (G4): key facts
When was the Mac mini (G4) released?
The Mac mini (G4) arrived on January 22, 2005. Apple discontinued it in September 2006.
How much did the Mac mini (G4) cost?
The Mac mini (G4) launched at $499 in 2005, about $818 in today’s money (approximate, US CPI).
What specs stand out?
Key specs: PowerPC G4 at 1.25 GHz, 256 MB RAM, 39.1 GB storage, External display.
Why does the Mac mini (G4) matter?
The cheapest Mac ever, or "BYODKM": bring your own display, keyboard and mouse.
Full specifications
| CPU | PowerPC G4 · 1.25 GHz |
|---|---|
| Cores | 1 |
| Memory (RAM) | 256 MB (up to 1 GB) |
| Storage | 39.1 GB |
| Display | External |
| GPU | ATI Radeon 9200 |
| Ports | USB 2.0, FireWire 400, DVI, Ethernet |
| Weight | 1.3 kg |
| Dimensions | 16.5×16.5×5.1 cm |
| Operating system | Mac OS X 10.3 Panther |
| Released | January 22, 2005 |
| Discontinued | September 2006 |
| Launch price | $499 |
How the Mac mini (G4) compares to today
A 16 GB Apple Silicon MacBook Pro has about 64× more memory than this device shipped with.
At 1.25 GHz, the clock is roughly 2.6× slower than a single performance core of a 16 GB Apple Silicon MacBook Pro, and that is before counting cores, width and IPC.
This held about 10,000 modern phone photos, a respectable library even today.
Launched at $499 in 2005, about $818 in today’s money (approx., US CPI).
Method note: clock comparisons use frequency only; price conversions use US CPI.
Sources
Specs checked against Apple technical specifications archive, EveryMac, Mactracker, Wikimedia Commons image credits.
Did you know?
It was smaller than the stack of manuals that came with a typical PC.
Related Mac mini models
Open the Mac mini (G4) in the interactive archive →
Last updated: 2026-08-11