Mac mini vs nano itx

[Binky]

Need to swap out my vaio laptop for a more static device. Primary Use is to be my HDMI media source for my ripped DVD's.

What are the major limitations of the mac mini? Thoughts on the comparison?

I dont plan on storing anything on the device as all the files are on my server.

[jakesford]

It is a little pricey and it doesn't have an optical drive/ blu-ray drive. That said it is small and silent, and the wireless keyboard and multi-touch pad are really nice to to use on the couch.

[ram57ta]

Mac Mini is a great little computer if the Blu-Ray support isn't something you are that concerned about. HOWEVER...I will tell you that if you are concerned about Blu-Ray support you DO have that option even with a Mac-Mini if you are willing to dual boot using Boot Camp and whatever minimal version of Windows you want to use. Just as a test to see if my Macbook Pro had the hardware capability to play them I used Boot Camp to install Win7 Premium on mine and used a USB external Blu-Ray drive to see if it would play and it looked fantastic on my Macbook Pro 13 (C2D 2.4ghz w/4gb ram). The NEWEST Mac-Mini is available now with the Core I5 which I would imagine is even MORE capable than my C2D...and the upper range mini even has Radeon HD graphics built in. Mac-Minis make fantastic media centers.

[red95gts]

It'll only do 720p, but an AppleTV would work for an HDMI media source. I've got one and love it and at $99 is probably the cheapest thing apple makes. Definitely not a PC replacement but maybe it fills the niche you are looking for?

Good luck

[VaderTT]

The new gen mac mini is pretty cool and easily upgradable too. I have the core duo mini and its my media center, pretty awesome.

Just stay away from the mini's with the apple g4 processor.

[Sgt Beavis]

Don't you have an Xbox? Your media server is Windows, right? Is there any reason you can't use Windows Media Extender to serve up your videos?

[scootro]

It'll only do 720p, but an AppleTV would work for an HDMI media source. I've got one and love it and at $99 is probably the cheapest thing apple makes. Definitely not a PC replacement but maybe it fills the niche you are looking for?

Good luck

roku is better

[Binky]

Don't you have an Xbox? Your media server is Windows, right? Is there any reason you can't use Windows Media Extender to serve up your videos?

The original xbox and a wii. Not a 360. Not a big console gamer, i think the xbox was last powered on a year ago and i only use the wii for when my friends kids come over with him.

I've got a powerful win7 pro that i could upgrade to ultimate, but it sucks so much power i dont leave it running all the time. I've got an 8TB NAS i can leave on that holds all my files, so if i can find a decent device to just share off it i'll be set.

Ive it a bluray player tat i use for my netlix, so having a dvd/blueray in this dvice will be moot.

[Jose]

As much as I love Apple products, they are pricey for what they are and the lack of OEM Blu-Ray support is a let down (especially when considering this for an HTPC). One other option I would consider is the Dell Zino HD. Optional Quad Core AMD processor, Win7, up to 8GB RAM, up to 100 GB HD (I'd run a networked HD or an external), HDMI, and Blu-Ray (optional). It has a little bit of a larger form factor than the Mini but still acceptable IMO.