Well, that was quick. A couple of days ago Apple started a Mac mini Test Drive program, allowing customers to try out a mini for 30 days before returning it. The promotion was to last until October 31, 2005. Instead, Apple stopped the promotion dead in its tracks the day after it started, sending this email to Apple affiliates. All references to the Test Drive have disappeared from Apple’s website.

Of course, the promotion was nothing more than an extended return policy. The Mac mini is normally returnable within 14 days after purchase, and the Test Drive essentially doubled that. However, if you go and buy a Mac mini from any other store that isn’t Apple, you will more than likely end up with a 30-day return period anyway.