Among the new announcements at the MacWorld Expo, Apple released the Mac mini. I haven’t been able to read any professional reviews or even examine the specs in detail myself, but it seems like a brilliant idea.

The key, of course, to this new child in the Mac family, is the price tag. Indeed, the price tag is what drew so many rumors and the ThinkSecret.com lawsuit fiasco. By Apple’s response, you would have thought that ThinkSecret.com spilled all the beans. But one element of the release that may seem simple–although simplicity is not to be underrated with a company known for its powerful leverage over simplicity–is the name of this new product.

Yes, naming it “Mac mini”, akin to the iPod’s younger sibling, the “iPod mini” is simply genius. Apple’s family of computers and MP3 players hasn’t looked more handsome in years. Have you read any articles suggesting that Apple should find ways to emphasize the success of the iPod by drawing iPod fans to Apple’s computer line? For those that the price point doesn’t draw in, the amazing size and style of the Mac mini will seal their fate.

And why not release a headless and affordable Mac? After all, converted Windows users won’t need the Mac to come with a monitor when they can just use their existing monitor from their now-defunct PC. ;-D