The Mac Mini was modeled on the shape of a standard digital media player, and runs the macOS operating system (previously Mac OS X and OS X). 5 Fourth generation (Space Gray Unibody).3 Second generation (Intel-based Polycarbonate).The Mac Minis received generally tepid reviews except for the fifth-generation model, which was praised for its compatibility, performance, processor, price, and power efficiencies, though it drew some occasional criticisms for its ports, speaker, integrated graphics, non-user-upgradable RAM and storage, and the expensive cost to buy associated accessories and displays. A server version of the Mac Mini that is bundled with the Server edition of the OS X operating system was offered from 2009 to 2014. The fourth-generation model has remained available alongside this. The fifth-generation lineup, featuring Apple Silicon, was introduced in November 2020 in the original silver style. This model also has solid-state storage and replaces most of the data ports with USB-C sockets. The 2018 fourth-generation Mac Mini model has Thunderbolt, an Intel Core i5 or i7 CPU, and also changed the case's default silver for space gray. The third-generation, which was unveiled in June 2010, had a thinner, unibody aluminum case and an HDMI port, and was more readily positioned as a home theater device and an alternative to the Apple TV.

It featured more advanced components and internal software updates, and it switched the CPU to the Intel Core Solo. In February 2006, Apple announced the second-generation lineup. In January 2005, the original Mac Mini was introduced with the PowerPC G4 CPU. The machine was initially branded as 'BYODKM' (Bring Your Own Display, Keyboard, and Mouse) as a strategic pitch to encourage users to switch from PCs running operating systems such as Microsoft Windows and Linux. Since launch, it has shipped without a display, keyboard, and mouse. As of 2022, it is positioned between the consumer all-in-one iMac and the professional Mac Studio and Mac Pro as one of four current Macintosh desktop computers. Mac Mini (stylized as Mac mini) is a small form factor desktop computer developed and marketed by Apple Inc. IMac, Mac Pro, iMac Pro, Developer Transition Kit, Mac Studio PowerPC G4, Intel Core Solo, Core Duo, Core 2 Duo and Core i3 (previously).

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