Notebook instead
After looking at a Mac Mini, these mini ITX systems, I wonder a little bit why folks don't just get a notebook instead. Essentially most of the technology limits get solved by low power notebook technology anyway and you get a free screen you can use on the road too.
Dell has the Inspiron 1150 Notebook in fact that I would say makes a great HTPC as well as something for the road. It is not as small, but it does have a 14" LCD screen. That in itself is not a bad TV:
| Apple | Dell |
| $500 | $700 |
| 1.2GHx G4 | 2.4GHz Celeron |
| 256MB | 256MB |
| 40GB | 40GB |
| DVD-ROM | DVD-ROM |
| None | 14" LCD |
| Ethernet | Ethernet |
| Modem | Modem |
| None | Keyboard |
| USB | USB |
| Firewire | None |
| None | PC Card |
| S-Video | None |
The main advantage of course is that the Apple is so small at 6"×6", but the Dell is portable and you can watch it elsewhere. Something to think about if performance isn't a big issue. Also, the outputs for the Dell are only mini-pin analog output and it doesn't have S-video, but not a big issue is you are output to HDTV.