When it was introduced during the white plastic heyday of peak iPod-era Apple, the Mac mini was pitched as the cheapest way to buy into the Mac ecosystem. It was $499. And despite some fluctuation (as high as $799 for the entry-level 2018 mini, $599 for this year's refresh), the Mac mini has stayed the cheapest entry-level Mac ever since.

Apple's latest M4 Mac Mini, with its starting price of just $600, represents a significant shift in the computing landscape. This compact and powerful

It’s easy to love Apple’s powerful little desktop computer, as long as you can avoid buying more RAM or storage.