Steve Jobs Unveils $499 Apple Mini Mac

Steve Jobs unveiled a very small $499 computer that aims to make inroads against the traditionally more affordable PC market.

The Mini Mac, for sale beginning Jan. 22, is smaller than even some standalone external computer drives. It lacks a monitor, keyboard and mouse.

The $499 model has a 40-gigabyte version. Cupertino-based Apple will also sell an 80-gigabyte model for $599.

"People who are thinking of switching will have no more excuses," Jobs said during a keynote speech at Macworld and Expo. "It's the newest and most affordable Mac ever."

Thed idea is to put Apple for the first time in the budget desktop PC arena dominated by rivals making personal computers that rely on Microsoft Corp.'s Windows operating system.

With the new computer, Apple's charismatic chief executive is hoping to keep his 29-year-old company on a roll.

Jobs, Apple's co-founder and chief executive, has recently infused the company with new life with hot new products such as the iMac computer and the iPod portable music player.

In the past year, the company's stock has tripled on strong sales of those digital devices.

Now, Jobs appears determined to expand Apple's 3 percent share of the U.S.