This won't be possible with the Atom CPU.

Don't forget there is Firewire800 in it for the important fast backup-and-restore. The SD card-slot(max 32GB SDHC) gives an additional convenient backup-restore option.

Bluetooth and Wlan are also interesting features for wireless kb/mouse, rc or wireless rfid application.

Adding the applecare might give many users a bit more security.

I would not compare this Apple off-spring with the Intel Atom CPU based system for the above reasons.

Greetings from an Open Source Software integrator.

I am not anti Apple and I understand the reasons why they implement the strict policies they have, but I prefer the freedom of choice. I, personally, don't want someone telling me what is best for me. That is the only thing that holds me back from buying an apple product (outside of my now retired iPhone). Thankfully Stevie boy is relaxing some of his policies slowly as illustrated by the mildly relaxed policies for apps on the app store for iPhone/iPod and iPad. Let's see where that goes…

In my opinion, an HTPC doesn't need a Core 2 Duo to stream movies, play music, and surf the web; an Atom processor is just fine. If I can save 400.00 and get what I need, that is the route I am suggesting as my pockets are filled with more lint than money.

Newegg has the XS35:

Shuttle XS35GT-804 Intel Atom D510 (1.66GHz, dual-core) Intel NM10 Next-generation NVIDIA ION graphics 1 x HDMI Barebone

Average Rating

5 out of 5 eggs 5/5(3 reviews)

Includes ION II, 500GB HDD, 2GB RAM, DVD RW, No OS

379.99

Unfortunately, it is barebone (NO OS). That means if I were to buy an OS it would be around $550 total for the pc and Windows 7 home Pro making it around $150 less than a Mac Mini running Mac OS.

As the smoke clears, the price will drop.

Except for the ability to choose Mac OSX – which the Mini provides. You may not care about Mac OSX – and that's fine – but to credit this system for providing the "freedom to choose our OS" when it actually offers less choice is pretty darn ironic/hilarious.

Also the CPU and GPU in the Mini are far more capable than in the unit you are profiling, and HDMI isn't optional – if you add all that up the price difference is substantially less. And the fan in the mini is neigh impossible to hear – it runs at a very low RPM and vents through the back through a wide grill – indeed it's hard to tell that it's moving air at all.

I get it that you aren't an Apple fan and have no interest in running Mac OSX – but even if you used it only for Windows the Mini (especially the newest model) is a pretty sweet piece of kit, and a far more viable platform than an atom based machine – unless you are just using it as an extender. And if you are going to do that a sub $200 Xbox 360 is a far more sane choice than an underpowered single purpose Atom desktop.

"Apple is the only one that makes Mac stuff so they can inflate it however they see fit."

Except as fum pointed out, your price comparison delta is grossly exaggerated. Time and time again the "Apple tax" argument gets shot down in flames upon closer scrutiny to the comparisons being performed – to only resurface like a zombie out of a b grade sci-fi flick.

It's not so much that Apple overcharges, it's more that they don't sell cheap, compromise solutions. And that's fine – for many people (heck, even me in some instances) cheap solutions that have compromises are perfectly appropriate and have value. It doesn't mean Apple is overpriced, just that they don't offer solutions for everyone.