Apple events always spur rumors. Thus, it is no real surprise that with Macworld Expo just three weeks away such rumors are already starting to emerge. Just yesterday we were hearing about a purported iPhone "nano" device being prepped for release soon - which sounds quite unlikely in my opinion - and now a new source speaking to Wired.com claims that Apple's long-overdue revision of the Mac mini will make its appearance early next month.


The source asked to remain anonymous "to keep his job" and revealed no further details about the revamped system other than its upcoming announcement at Macworld Expo. However, if the latest notebook refresh is anything to go by, we can probably expect the Mac Mini to sport an Intel 45nm processor paired with the Nvidia 9400M chipset for improved graphics and a Mini DisplayPort.

The new rumor is backed in part by an earlier report that two major European retailers were told not to expect any further stock of the Mac Mini. This initially led many to believe Apple was going to drop the product altogether, but it is entirely possible the company was simply gearing up to update the internal hardware in the small desktop - which hasn't seen a refresh since August 2007.