Apple to Sell Mac Mini at Best Buy

Apple on Tuesday confirmed that its $499 Mac Mini has begun shipping to Best Buy retail outlets nationwide. The move exposes the new Mac, which is targeted at Windows users, to a wider consumer base the same way Apple has done with its iPod. Best Buy previously sold Macs in 2003, but the program was ended.

"We are pleased to offer Mac Mini at Best Buy stores nationwide," Apple said in a statement. Mac enthusiast sites first reported on the Mini's retail appearance last week. However, it's not clear whether Apple will wait to push the low-cost Windows alternative until Mac OS X 10.4, known as Tiger, makes its debut later this month.