Come on: This machine is faster than what 95% of the population need. Actually I think for any usage as a kind of media center it's more overpowered.

Christof

[quote user="elephant"]

Indeed it is.

Resolutions beyond 1080p through two interfaces.

HDMI with audio and still retains the optical mini-jack option.

And an SD card slot (but at the back of the machine).

My only disappointment is that it remains a core duo machine with a small speed bump and a moderate disk upgrade.

A lot of surprise in the Macrumor forums over the USD100 price increase.

[/quote]

I am kind of attracted to it, I might replace my Apple TV with it since it can do so much more and can be controlled from my BV8 and Beo 4.

[quote user="didole"]

Come on: This machine is faster than what 95% of the population need. Actually I think for any usage as a kind of media center it's more overpowered.

Christof

[/quote]

My concern Christof, is should I just have it as a server ... and get something else as the end-point media interface ?

I would be a lot happier if I new the specifications of the rumoured replacement for the Apple TV.

What was at the back of my mind when I was writing my first set of comments was the new MacMini playing a 1080p movie and then recieving requests from other users for large files ... should I be planning for a separation of duties ?

First of all, I strongly recommend the Apple TV as a device to bring your iTunes content (local or on the store) to the B&O world. It is very B&O-like: You just plug in the power chord, the HDMI cable, and the PUC cable, and everything just works. No software installation, nothing. Plus it is SO much cheaper: 260€ vs. 800€.

The new Mac mini is a strange beast to me: Yes, I like the looks a lot, and the specs are also great. But 800€ for JUST a basic computer? The previous model was ok (started at 600). Remember that you will need additional RAM, a keyboard and a mouse, and you will still not be able to enjoy the (to me) beautiful UI of the Apple TV.

This being said, I unfortunately cannot tell you whether the CPU of the new Mac Mini is capable of decoding Full HD and serving large files over the network at the same time. I assume this mainly depends on the Codec used for the movie file.

[quote user="elephant"]

My concern Christof, is should I just have it as a server ... and get something else as the end-point media interface ?

I would be a lot happier if I new the specifications of the rumoured replacement for the Apple TV.

What was at the back of my mind when I was writing my first set of comments was the new MacMini playing a 1080p movie and then recieving requests from other users for large files ... should I be planning for a separation of duties ?

[/quote]

I actually agree with your recommendation; I am just waiting to see what form the rumoured ATV 2.0 looks like.  If it appears in the form of the rumours I think I can see myself buying at least 3.

I am in the "lucky" position that I already have an bluetooth Apple keyboard and two bluetooth mice.  One consideration you have not mentioned which is probably important for me is heat - my hand-on-the-top test indicates that an ATV runs hotter than a MacMini, and I think the new one should be cooler (certainly it takes less power). 

However you are right (and I had forgotten) that the ATV 1.3 interface is better than the Front Row that I have today (and which I associate with the ATV).  But on the other hand I am a proud user of Phillipe's LinkPlayer . . . 

I found this post a very useful analysis of the difference between the various recent announcements: