Today’s newsletter is brought to you by Incogni.

The Mac mini is easily the best value in all of computing right now.

The latest M4 version — which is frequently on sale for just $499 — is a tiny workhorse of a machine. Thanks to Apple silicon, it’s easily capable of even the most demanding professional workflows, especially if you trick it out.

When it comes to punch for price, there’s nothing comparable on the Windows side — the Mac mini is in a class of its own.

Of course, the mini is famously a BYOKAM machine (bring your own keyboard and mouse), which is great if you have extra peripherals (and a monitor) lying around.

But if not, getting a Mac mini serves as a great excuse to acquire or upgrade your gear.

We’ve been covering great Mac work-from-home setups for many years, and here are 10 of the best Mac mini workstations we’ve seen, along with breakdowns of the finest peripherals to complement them. Good luck not getting too envious at some of these gorgeous WFH setups!

Also in today’s newsletter:

  • It’s a ways away, but here’s why Apple might skip the iPhone 19 entirely.

  • Does Apple make too many iPhone models? We argue that, yes, it does.

  • Incogni’s data-scrubbing service removes your personal info from the web (and even the dark web). And that protects you from spam and scams. Get 55% off Incogni using code CULTOFMAC. Thanks to Incogni for sponsoring this week’s newsletter.

  • Another state just added support for digital driver’s licenses and IDs. Here’s how to add your digital ID to Apple Wallet (and when other states are likely to get on board).

  • Aside from Peanuts holiday specials and some other classics, Apple TV doesn’t offer any legacy content — almost its entire library is original. That could be about to change if Apple buys Warner Bros. Discovery, a media conglomerate whose catalog includes some of TV’s most prestigious and popular content, including HBO hits like Game of Thrones, The White Lotus and Silicon Valley.

  • Today’s the day in Apple history when Steve Jobs unveiled the first iPod. I remember being the tech editor at Wired.com at the time, and coming soon after September 11, none of the reporters were particularly interested in covering the product launch. I had to bully someone into going, and their write-up concentrated mostly on the backlash from Apple fans, who were disappointed that Apple failed to resurrect the Newton MessagePad in favor of making a not-very-exciting MP3 player. No one had any idea the iPod would turn into a monster hit, pave the way for the iPhone, and utterly transform Apple from a niche and struggling computer maker into a consumer electronics powerhouse.

  • We got about a million comments on yesterday’s poll about the iPhone Air being a flop. We posted a few of the best below.

— Leander Kahney, EIC.

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Top 10 mighty Mac mini workstations [Setups]

Into Mac mini setups? Lucky you. The little powerhouse is one of the best desktop computers you can buy. Check out our top 10 looks.

Why Apple might kick the iPhone 19 to the curb

Apple is apparently really, really eager to get to the iPhone 20, to the point that the model will arrive much sooner than expected.

iPhone Air flop proves Apple should make fewer phone models

While the iPhone Air is beautiful, Apple makes more types of handsets than customers are interested in. It’s time to pare down the list.

A message from the Cult of Mac Deals team

New deal drops latest MacBook Air to just $849.99

The M4 MacBook Air is Apple’s best notebook for most people. It’s already affordable, and a deal knocks 15% off the price.

West Virginia is the latest state to allow driver’s licenses in Apple Wallet

West Virginia just became the 13th U.S. state or territory to support digital driver’s licenses and IDs stored in the Wallet app.

Apple TV might try to buy massive Warner Bros. Discovery content library

An acquisition could bolster the Apple TV content library with HBO titles and more.

A message from the Cult of Mac Deals team

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How to add your ID to Apple Wallet

In several states, iPhone and Apple Watch users can add their ID to the Wallet app, just like a credit card. Here's how.

When will your state let you add your ID to Apple Wallet?

When will you be able to add your driver’s license or state ID to Apple Wallet on your iPhone? It varies by where you live.

How to unsend iPhone messages to avoid blowing up your life

The ability to edit or unsend iMessages on your iPhone could come in clutch. Thankfully, it’s easy to rewrite history in iMessage.

Today in Apple history: Apple puts 1,000 songs in your pocket with first-gen iPod

On this day in 2001, Steve Jobs introduced the first iPod, a portable device capable of storing an entire music library. A look at the iPod launch.

Cult of Mac’s buyback program

We pay top dollar for used Apple gear

Sell your old iPhone, iPad, MacBook and more through Cult of Mac. Free shipping, fast payment!

Tweets of the day

Wallpaper of the day

One more thing ...

❝

I was blown away [by the Lucasfilm computer division that would become Pixar], and I came back and tried to convince Sculley to buy it for Apple. But the folks running Apple weren’t interested, and they were busy kicking me out anyway.

— Steve Jobs, 2011.

Today’s poll

Results from yesterday’s poll: Be truthful: Did you know the iPhone Air would flop?

Best reader comments

Subscribe to The Weekender — Get the week's best Apple news, reviews and how-tos from Cult of Mac, every Saturday morning. Our readers say: "Thank you guys for always posting cool stuff" -- Vaughn Nevins. "Very informative" -- Kenly Xavier.

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