Apple delivers value, but many folks are still priced out of Mac ownership. That’s where refurbished Apple gear enters the picture — same hardware, same warranty, same best-in-class operating system often for a hundred and more off the original suggested retail price.

Easily the lowest cost Mac available right now is the 2011 Mac mini for just $469, which comes with free shipping and a free copy of OS X Mountain Lion (available separately) — a sweet little computer that’s perfect for home, dorm or man cave.

• [11] Mac mini 2.3GHz i5, $469 (599)
— 2GB, 500GB, Thunderbolt, HDMI, HD Graphics 3000

• [12] Mac mini 2.5GHz i5, $509 (599)
— 4GB, 500GB, Thunderbolt, HDMI, HD Graphics 4000

• [12] Mac mini 2.3GHz quad-core i7, $679 (799)
— 4GB, 1TB, Thunderbolt, HDMI, HD Graphics 4000

• [11] Mac mini w/ Lion Server 2.0GHz quad-core i7, $759 (999)
— 4GB, Dual 500GB, Thunderbolt, HDMI, HD Graphics 3000
— Eligible for OS X Mountain Lion Up-to-Date Program

• [12] 11-inch MacBook Air 1.7GHz i5, $849 (999)
— 4GB, 64GB SSD, HD Graphics 4000
— Eligible for OS X Mountain Lion Up-to-Date Program

 • [12] 11-inch MacBook Air 1.7GHz i5, $929 (1099)
— 4GB, 128GB SSD, HD Graphics 4000
— Eligible for OS X Mountain Lion Up-to-Date Program

Though Santa didn’t bring any refurbished Macs to the Fairer Platform ranch in 2012, we did pick up a pair of refurbished iPad 3s — I recommend, buy and use refurbished Apple gear.

[12] 2012 model year, [11] 2011 model year. Configurations shown in stock when published.

Related posts:
— iTunes Sale: Best Albums of 2012 for $6.99
— 2012 iPod touch Deals: New from $185; Refurbished, $129
— MacKiev Christmas App Sale, Save Up to 50%
— Refurbished iPad 2 from $319
— Refurbished AirPort from $69; Thunderbolt Display, $829