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Apple launched its Mac mini computer at MacWorld in January 2005, with Steve Jobs hailing the system as "the most affordable way to enjoy Mac OS X and iLife".

Today, priced from £399, the Mac mini remains the cheapest desktop system on offer from Apple but its lacklustre specification has resulted in poor sales. Unlike the popular iMac and MacBook systems, the Mac mini has rarely been mentioned at recent Apple events and hasn't seen a hardware upgrade for as long as we can remember.

The system has been rumoured to be on the path to discontinuation for some time, but Gizmodo now reports that a pair of unnamed European retailers have stated that Apple has ceased shipping the device to stores. The Mac mini is still available to order from Apple's online outlet, but should shipments be drawing to a close, we could see the little system being dropped, or replaced.

At a recent event held at its Cupertino, California headquarters, Apple announced plentiful new additions to its MacBook range, but many had been hoping for a low-cost competitor to the increasingly-popular netbook.

With prices of new systems remaining high, Apple products remain a premium purchase. However, at a Q&A session that followed the event, Steve Jobs openly stated that Apple's designers have "some pretty interesting ideas" for a low-cost Mac.

The Mac mini might be on its way out, but in the current economic climate, can Apple afford to completely ignore the sub-£500 market? We think not, and we'd expect to see either an upgraded Mac mini, or a low-cost replacement.

Official product page: Apple.com

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