While this is the Lockergnome Windows Fanatic, it’s well worth noting that two heralded Apple products are hitting the streets this weekend. The least expensive Macintosh ever (dare we say ‘cheapest’), the diminutive Mac Mini, makes its retail debut along with the iPod shuffle, Apple’s latest salvo in its digital music phenomafamily.

Those lovely Apple Stores are going to be quite busy.

The ‘headless’ Mac Mini has drawn raves for both its tiny footprint and (for Apple) teenie price. The elegant little box is sure to draw a crowd of folks disenchanted with their old spyware and virus-ridden PCs. I’ve heard a number of stories firsthand from folks who were so frustrated with their spyware-crippled PCs that they ditched their old machines for new boxes. While I’ve happily shared my recipe to keep my PC spyware-free, I’m not shy about mentioning the fact that Macs are impervious to the onslaught of those Windows-only nasties.

With price no longer a barrier, the ranks of the switchers will swell.

In case you’ve missed the hoopla, the iPod shuffle is a nifty little flash-based MP3 player. Its pack ‘o gum sized case can be filled with either half or a full gig of digital music. Apple took a gamble on this one by leaving out the display screen. To counter the shortcoming in navigation, Apple serves up a random play mode, hence the ’shuffle’ tag. Hey, it’s a feature!

Of course, if you can’t make it out to an Apple Store, you can always browse online. You may find it easier to hold onto your wallet that way … (I admit to being overcome by technolust every time I walk into an Apple Store) …