@SolidSnake Mac OSX does not have native HTPC functionality built into the operating system, and the free options don't stack up to Windows Media Center, which also has a large market of WMC peripherals designed for the OS, such as the Gyration air-mouse remote control and keyboard I'm typing on right now.
The 5400rpm laptop harddrive is also going to represent a bottleneck, and its capacity is also limited compared to competitors that use desktop harddrives in their micro-PCs (like the Dell Zino) which are faster and come in 2TB capacities which is nice when used as a DVR or to store large movie collections.
"And unlike the Atom- or Ion-based nettops you might consider putting under your TV, the mini is also more than capable of running HD Flash video without any hesitation"
I have a feeling that Nilay does know that this was an issue before 10.1 Flash hardware acceleration on Atom processors, and is thus very misleading. It is only the Mac which doesn't have hardware acceleration, which will place great strain on the CPU.
The CPU in the Mac Mini btw was also released within weeks of the rumored Intel Z530 that might be in the HP Slate device. Although they are both quite old Intel stock, in the HP it was described as "hopelessly out of date"... yet here there is no mention of why Apple didn't use a modern processor, considering the price premium (it is over a thousand dollars after giving it a normal 4GB of memory and a wireless keyboard and mouse).
@Ducman69 Your ass must hurt from talking out of it. But Mac os has had built in htpc functionality since tiger with front row and that comes with every Mac you didn't have to buy a "media center edition" to get that functionality. Also the third party solutions are way better then media center please. Plex, xbmc to name a couple please get your facts straight and stop your nonsense.
@nando2323 There's been no special "MCE" since XP, bra. And stop with the front row nonsense. At least the last version I've used was nothing more than a up down scroller on a barebones menu w/ limited functionality. I admit I haven't used xbmc, but plex is nowhere near WMC7, which I can only imagine you haven't ever interacted with to make that claim with a straight face. ;)
@SolidSnake lol what?! what option for recording tv does it have? where are the hd movie options...i'm sorry but this isn't even a LOW end htcp...total fail here apple, tho i see you've managed to get all the 'oooooh that is sexy' comments as usual. which speaks nothing as to actual functionality, the truth is i wouldn't ever want my htcp to even be visible, so the extra $300 i'd be paying for your beauty would be totally lost on me. this computer could be built for $400 with a ton more functionality for any DIY'er.
Media centre is fine, but I have found that XBMC is the bomb.
I built a computer that is being used as a HTPC but didn't like the playing around that MythTV and the like required. Windows 7 and XBMC look great and are very simple to use.
You obviously belong to the HTPC DIY crowd. This is not a very big market. Apple wants to sell their wares throughout the world. If they were to build a TV tuner that won't be applicable to all the markets in the world. If already have a HDHomeRun for TV recording and I can use that with Mac Mini and eyeTV software. Bluray is not the only source for HD video. There is iTunes, camcorders, youTube, etc. While I really wish Apple had included a Bluray drive, this does not make it a deal breaker for everyone. The fact it is silent and consumes less than 10 watts when idle has to count for something.
Sony's just released a 15.5-inch addition to its VAIO S Series that not only adds a crucial bit of extra display acreage, but also bumps things up to a full 1080p.
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It took long enough.
This is a TRUE htpc.
Wish it was cheaper though....
@SolidSnake
I'm sorry snake, but I don't think you'll be able to fit into this box anytime soon...
@SolidSnake Mac OSX does not have native HTPC functionality built into the operating system, and the free options don't stack up to Windows Media Center, which also has a large market of WMC peripherals designed for the OS, such as the Gyration air-mouse remote control and keyboard I'm typing on right now.
The 5400rpm laptop harddrive is also going to represent a bottleneck, and its capacity is also limited compared to competitors that use desktop harddrives in their micro-PCs (like the Dell Zino) which are faster and come in 2TB capacities which is nice when used as a DVR or to store large movie collections.
"And unlike the Atom- or Ion-based nettops you might consider putting under your TV, the mini is also more than capable of running HD Flash video without any hesitation"
I have a feeling that Nilay does know that this was an issue before 10.1 Flash hardware acceleration on Atom processors, and is thus very misleading. It is only the Mac which doesn't have hardware acceleration, which will place great strain on the CPU.
The CPU in the Mac Mini btw was also released within weeks of the rumored Intel Z530 that might be in the HP Slate device. Although they are both quite old Intel stock, in the HP it was described as "hopelessly out of date"... yet here there is no mention of why Apple didn't use a modern processor, considering the price premium (it is over a thousand dollars after giving it a normal 4GB of memory and a wireless keyboard and mouse).
@Ducman69 Your ass must hurt from talking out of it. But Mac os has had built in htpc functionality since tiger with front row and that comes with every Mac you didn't have to buy a "media center edition" to get that functionality. Also the third party solutions are way better then media center please. Plex, xbmc to name a couple please get your facts straight and stop your nonsense.
@nando2323 There's been no special "MCE" since XP, bra. And stop with the front row nonsense. At least the last version I've used was nothing more than a up down scroller on a barebones menu w/ limited functionality. I admit I haven't used xbmc, but plex is nowhere near WMC7, which I can only imagine you haven't ever interacted with to make that claim with a straight face. ;)
@SolidSnake A TRUE HTPC needs a Blu-ray player. This is a low-end specs HTPC with a high-end price tag.
@SolidSnake lol what?! what option for recording tv does it have? where are the hd movie options...i'm sorry but this isn't even a LOW end htcp...total fail here apple, tho i see you've managed to get all the 'oooooh that is sexy' comments as usual. which speaks nothing as to actual functionality, the truth is i wouldn't ever want my htcp to even be visible, so the extra $300 i'd be paying for your beauty would be totally lost on me. this computer could be built for $400 with a ton more functionality for any DIY'er.
@Ducman69
Media centre is fine, but I have found that XBMC is the bomb.
I built a computer that is being used as a HTPC but didn't like the playing around that MythTV and the like required. Windows 7 and XBMC look great and are very simple to use.
@kdp
You obviously belong to the HTPC DIY crowd. This is not a very big market. Apple wants to sell their wares throughout the world. If they were to build a TV tuner that won't be applicable to all the markets in the world. If already have a HDHomeRun for TV recording and I can use that with Mac Mini and eyeTV software. Bluray is not the only source for HD video. There is iTunes, camcorders, youTube, etc. While I really wish Apple had included a Bluray drive, this does not make it a deal breaker for everyone. The fact it is silent and consumes less than 10 watts when idle has to count for something.