Now, Apple has quietly updated the Mac mini line, as the Apple shopping page attests: a vote of support to a product that's hidden in the shadow of Apple's more successful offerings.

The Mac mini is still offered in two models, priced at $599 and $799. Both now include Intel's Core 2 Duo processor, however, at 1.83 GHz and 2.0 GHz, respectively. The memory has been bumped as well, to 1 Gbyte on each. An additional stick of 1-Gbyte memory costs $150.

Storage options include an 80-Gbyte 5,400RPM SATA drive plus a DVD-ROM/CD-RW drive on the cheaper model, while the more expensive $799 version combines a 120-Gbyte drive with Apple's "SuperDrive". The hard drive can be replaced with a 160-Gbyte SATA drive for $75.

While the Mac mini ships with Mac OS X "Tiger" (not Leopard as I originally stated), the iWork software package costs an additional $79. iLife 08 comes preinstalled, however.

*Argh. Initially, this post went out with "iMac" in the headline. I blame lack of sleep...