Apple announced an updated Mac Mini today with a starting price of $599. Apple has not updated the Mac Mini since mid-2011, so today’s announcement was not only timely, but also necessary. The update brings the Mac Mini in line with the rest of their product range and includes Ivy Bridge with Intel HD 4000 GPU and an available quad-core i7 model. Hard drives range from 500GB to 1TB, including Apple’s new Fusion hard drive, which combines a conventional HDD with an SSD for the best of both worlds.

The Mac Mini has Firewire 800, Thunderbolt, HDMI, 4 USB 3.0, and an SDXC card slot, along with the usual Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, and Ethernet connectivity.

There are actually three versions: a base Core i5, an optional Core i7 model and the long standing Server model to round out the range.

In a very non-Applesque move, Apple has made it very easy to open the Mac Mini and replace or upgrade the RAM. Included RAM is a stock 4GB, but it is upgradeable to an impressive 16GB.

The Mac Mini has always been Apple’s least expensive Mac and affords almost anyone the chance to get into the Apple line-up very inexpensively. If you are thinking about switching to Apple and need a desktop, or know anyone that is, the Mac Mini is a very capable machine and is well worth a look. This is especially true if you already have a mouse, keyboard, and monitor sitting around the home or office.

The upgraded Mac Mini is available today at the Apple store or online starting at a VERY reasonable $599.