I looked at getting a mini Mac for the home theater, but the economics just were not that good when I added up all the extras. It makes a lot of sense to be deployed as a media device, much like network attached storage. With the iPod Video requiring source beyond what is available on iTunes, it makes all the more sense for Apple to reposition the Mini as a media device once they move it to Intel processors.
One factor that is hard to handicap in this race for the digital living room is how much of a force the Xbox360 and upcoming PS3 will be on Apple. If I was to select the Xbox or the MiniMac (in any flavor) right now, I'd definitely go with the Xbox. How Microsoft leverages the Xbox into a home entertainment device beyond gaming is an open question.
Link via tech.memeorandum: Think Secret - Road to Expo: Reborn Mac mini set to take over the living room.
Apple's Mac mini will be reborn as the digital hub centerpiece it was originally conceived to be, Think Secret sources have disclosed. The new Mac mini project, code-named Kaleidoscope, will feature an Intel processor and include both Front Row 2.0 and TiVo-like DVR functionality.
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