Apple is readying to release an improved version of both its iMac and Mac mini lineups by the next few weeks, sources indicated MacScoop.

A Penryn refresh

The refresh will mainly bring Intel's 45nm Penryn chip accross the line for both the iMac and the Mac mini, MacScoop was told.

The Mac mini's Intel GMA 950 integrated graphics chip should also be replaced by the GMA X3100 currently used in the MacBook and the MacBook Air. MacScoop couldn't obtain specific information regarding the graphic chips we may expect in the forthcoming iMacs.

Though we don't have a precise release date, we expect the iMac and the Mac mini refreshes to happen within the next four weeks, inventory clearing being the only constraint.

The Mac mini to stay in Apple's offering?

As you might have noticed, our report comes in total contradiction to what has been reported [1] and re-iterated [2] by AppleInsider. The soon-to-be-released Mac minis will represent the second update on the lineup, almost a year after the site claimed its imminent demise.

It's possible that Apple has only delayed the Mac mini's end of life, or the company realized it could make a great choice for small-budget switchers and for all those new developers coming to the platform thanks to the recently announced iPhone/iPod SDK.

New, thinner enclosures in the works?

Although MacScoop has recently obtained reports indicating Apple has been working on making the enclosure of the iMac even thinner than it currently is, we're not sure whether or not this improvement will be part of this spring's refresh.

As for the Mac mini, we had no word on design changes but considering the thickness Apple achieved with the MacBook Air, it is now obvious that it's technically possible to do better, assuming the company still wants a headless Mac in its offering.