Such a devil's advocate you are when it comes to these things.
Originally Posted by ScottC
So, when you said that is where the true value is, it turns out that the mini isn't that much of a deal?
Out of the box it can't really do too much
ok, ok, so I accidentally include 2 out of around 15 apps that you don't get out of the box, but that doesn't null out the value. Everyone will find something different that they appreciate and place the most value upon out of the iapps that are included. For me it's Mail, iPhoto, iTunes and especially iChat. I use my .mac homepage for positing all my pictures. To give you an idea of how simple it is, I actually imported my digital pics into iPhoto and created a web site from New Year's Eve while drunk off of my A** around 3 AM New Year's Morning. A few days later, I stumbled across the new page on my web site, unaware that I had created it!
If that's not a ringing product endorsement, I don't know what is.
Others really get into the video editing and DVD burning in iMovie and iDVD. And then I know some folks who absolutely love Garage Band. Each to his or her own, sober or sloshed.
Nevertheless, it might be a nice media center as I find XP MCE to be a POS.
Does Apple have a decent media center software package yet?
What media center-type activities would you want it for? DVR? Jukebox for the stereo/a place for holding your music collection? Ripping DVDs?
People do it, and there are 3rd party apps out that'll make it work just fine. I think I read a post in the thread on Slashdot that mentioned how someone had an old G4 set up for this purpose. ..... .....
Found it.
For a PVR solution, I kinda like
this one.
I'm planning on holding out, as there will surely be more elegant, integrated options available at some point.
So to answer your question, Apple doesn't have an integrated package like that yet, but there are third party options available.