The saga of My Mac Mini continues. The Mac mini I ordered on 21st September - the day before I read about the rumours of an upgrade - arrived three weeks later (yesterday)!

I had hoped that the delay mean that the mini would be from the new stock but the serial number - YM531xxxxxxx - was the same that apppeared on the invoice I received in the mail at the start of last week and confirms it's an August build and before the YM535xxxxxxx and after that signifies the upgraded models. So I didn't even bother unpacking it and have left it in the unopened delivery box.

This morning I phoned the Apple Store (UK) to get a Return Material Authorisation (RMA) number so that I could return it. I was immediately offered a £50 refund if I agreed to keep it. I got the impression that Apple are about to discount the EOL rev B minis and that the announcement of the new models is imminent. Of course, this was not actually said just my reading between the lines of the reaction I got to my 'predicament'

I decided to decline the offer of the £50 refund since I'd rather have an upgraded mini.

Incidentally(!) the £40 'restocking/pickup' fee was waived too - without me asking!! Dunno if this was because of the delay in delivery of the mini and/or the fact I'd not even opened the box and/or the fact that delivery took place on the day that Apple sales staff have been briefed on the new products but whatever the reason it was an unexpected, and welcome, offer. Well done Apple.

I'll hanging fire on ordering another mini until it's officially announced. Rumours abound but perhaps the macosXrumors.com report that Internal meeting schedule hints at further product releases is the best indication that mini, {Power,i}Book, and Power Mac ranges are due for an imminent upgrade. Here's hoping.