Apple is offering a test drive of its Mac Mini computer for 30 days, after which consumers can either keep or return the unit with no questions asked.

The company is clearly confident that consumers will hold on to the models once they have tried them. Handling any returns could be an expensive affair because any rejected computers have to be returned, stored and later sold at a discount.

Apple unveiled the Mac Mini in January 2005. With its low price, the device is aimed at Windows users who want to take Apple for a spin but were held back by the vendor's expensive hardware.

The test drive offer is limited to models bought from Apple's US online store and does not apply to customised models. Keyboards and computer mice are also covered by the programme, which runs until 31 October. 

Apple's initiative is well timed, according to Joe Wilcox, a senior research analyst at Jupiter Research, offering a potential sales boost between the 'back to school' and holiday shopping seasons.

"This is the lull period before the holiday sales pick up," Wilcox told vnunet.com. "There will also be more noise around Windows Vista, and Apple has plenty of reasons why it makes sense now to try something like this."

More details about the offer are available here. Apple's US online store can be reached here.