02-20-2007, 02:50 PM
Anyone know if there is a good comparison of features and practical usability of a Mac Mini vs. the AppleTV for use as a home media "PC"?
There are a few key features missing from the AppleTV such as 1080p output and DVD optical disc playing/recording that I'd really like in an all-in-one solution.
The mini on the other hands seems to lack the Toslink digital audio out for Dolby Digital 5.1 and DTS audio (unless there is an adapter for the combined analog/digital port included). Also, I'm not sure how the built-in UI of the AppleTV compares to what is in FrontRow. I'd think the ability to upgrade FrontRow would be easier than the UI in AppleTV, but since there is no track record yet for @TV, that's just a guess... they *could* make it upgradeable I'm sure, but will they? If they follow suit as they did with the iPods, they'll make each successive revision better, but leave previous versions unimproved vis-a-vis the software and features they run.
Finally, are there any "must-have" features of the AppleTV that just can't be had in a Mac Mini (either as a reasonable add on purchase... or would be too clunky to be useful).
I sense that the AppleTV is intended to be simple to use and elegant... like the iPod, but I'm concerned it also be out-dated very quickly if Apple isn't committed to allowing users to augment it's features over time.
A Mini on the other hand offer a lot more flexibility, but may be a bit more complex in terms of making sure it "just works" when using it in a way similar to the AppleTV.
Any thoughts?
There are a few key features missing from the AppleTV such as 1080p output and DVD optical disc playing/recording that I'd really like in an all-in-one solution.
The mini on the other hands seems to lack the Toslink digital audio out for Dolby Digital 5.1 and DTS audio (unless there is an adapter for the combined analog/digital port included). Also, I'm not sure how the built-in UI of the AppleTV compares to what is in FrontRow. I'd think the ability to upgrade FrontRow would be easier than the UI in AppleTV, but since there is no track record yet for @TV, that's just a guess... they *could* make it upgradeable I'm sure, but will they? If they follow suit as they did with the iPods, they'll make each successive revision better, but leave previous versions unimproved vis-a-vis the software and features they run.
Finally, are there any "must-have" features of the AppleTV that just can't be had in a Mac Mini (either as a reasonable add on purchase... or would be too clunky to be useful).
I sense that the AppleTV is intended to be simple to use and elegant... like the iPod, but I'm concerned it also be out-dated very quickly if Apple isn't committed to allowing users to augment it's features over time.
A Mini on the other hand offer a lot more flexibility, but may be a bit more complex in terms of making sure it "just works" when using it in a way similar to the AppleTV.
Any thoughts?