Instead of simply allowing today’s iPhone 4 pre-order to keep us Apple fanboys happy, Steve also felt it necessary to unveil the new Mac Mini. This new desktop computer now comes with a 2.4GHz Intel Core 2 Duo processor, 320GB memory, and NVIDIA GeForce 320M graphics. However, that’s not the best part. At only $699, the cheapest Mac available also comes with an HDMI port and SD card reader on the back. Quite impressive.

We have rumors gone true, folks. I like to call those trumors. Just as predicted, we have new unibody MacBooks (not Pro), Mac Minis (including a Server version), iMacs and the Magic Mouse. Quite a round of updates for Apple. I’m very surprised there wasn’t a press event or the like. Either way, I think Apple will be seeing a lot of our money today. Early details and photos past the jump.

It seems that John Gruber could, in fact, be correct with his ideas that Apple will release new iMacs, MacBooks (the white plastic model), Mac Minis, and of course a new Mighty Mouse. Almost as though he knew something, the Apple store has indeed gone down this morning, which leads to either maintenance (yeah, right) or the possibility of new toys from Apple.

Yes, it seems that Apple plans to refresh or update every product you already own in an attempt to make you lust for a new ones. We’re talking about new Mac Minis, iMacs and even a new iMouse! At least, that’s what the latest rumor says, and it’s all set to go down today.

Is it just me, or is there something completely different about taking a new piece of Apple hardware from its box and introducing it to the real world? Perhaps the same goes for every box full of $900 worth of stuff. In any event, I thought you might be interested to see the latest Mac Mini being ripped from it’s minimalistic packaging and being examined on video. After all, half the fun of buying something new is unboxing it…and video taping it?

I love to follow the rumors and guess at product lines from Apple just as much as anyone. I am proclaiming my fanboyism. I think I just made up a word. A bad one at that. Anyway I think that we have come to expect to much from our beloved folks at 1 Infinite Way out in Cupertino. They have absolutely destroyed the competitive companies on so many platforms that we come to expect it from every product that comes from Ives & Co.

After the updates Apple released to their desktop lines on Tuesday, it left many people wondering what happened to the Mac Mini. Sure, it’s got a faster processor and better graphics capability, but it still looks the same as it did back in July 2007. It has to be said, a few quiet updates with no notification wasn’t quite what we were expecting.

In the midst of a recession, the worst in a while, Apple manages to update three of their most prominent product lines: new Mac Minis, new Mac Pros, and new iMacs. If you ask me, this is a pretty risky endeavor on Apple’s part. Sure, it’s great to keep product lines fresh with the most up-to-date hardware, but during a recession such as this, not as many people are willing to throw down a couple thousand for a new computer. In my opinion, this is the time where the Mac Mini really gets to shine and show Apple what it is worth for their company. By being only $599 for the lowest end model, it is just as cheap as a desktop computer can come (given it has no keyboard, mouse, screen, etc., but many people already have those).

So, the Mac Mini finally received its much wanted update; rather quietly, with no events or notifications. Judging by the front exterior, there’s not that much different. So, what has actually changed? Is it worth investing in now, or should hold off for later models? To give you some idea, the rumored images that you likely saw around the net these past few weeks were, in fact, the new Mac Mini. Well, not the version with 17 USB ports unfortunately.

The Apple store is back up, and pretty much every Macintosh that doesn’t have the word “Book” in it has received an upgrade. The Mac mini, iMac and Mac Pro all have new models at various price points, with the iMac seeing the most models (four). But were the Mac mini predictions right? Are there really five USB ports? HDMI? Well…yes, no, and just head inside for more.