Apple unveils $499 PC

The rumors were true:

Apple unveils $499 PC: "The new Mac Mini will go on sale Jan. 22 and will cost $499 for the base model, or $599 for one with a bigger hard drive. The device marks one of Apple's boldest moves yet to expand PC sales beyond a loyal but limited market of Mac addicts. The iPod and Apple's iTunes music store have been responsible for a dramatic surge in Apple revenue, but to date there has been little evidence that those products have done anything for Apple's PC business.
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This is an extremely cool and important product for Apple. Missing from most of the stories about the product, but buried in the details on the Apple store site, is the fact that this is also an extremely scalable product. It is possible to order this computer configured with extra memory, high end drives, and wireless options that some Mac lovers consider
indispensable. (I love my wireless keyboard and mouse).

The floodgates have already opened, with reports of the first day of orders bringing the Apple Store website to it's knees. Unfortunate, but always a good sign.

Most importantly, this is another product that stimulates that most important marketing tool: Mac Envy. Hell, I've got a Powerbook and I've got Mac Envy! I'd really be dead if they had a spreadsheet in iWork.