Yes, you should've mentioned you wanted a laptop up front...makes a big difference in functions and cost.

Otherwise, the mini hasn't been upgraded with Duo2 chips, and really isn't any more cost effective than the basic entry level all-in-one 17" iMac at C$1099 once you start adding on the appropriate monitor, keyboard and mouse. If you need a DVD record drive, add another $200 to the base price for the couped up 17" version. It has just about everything this person could want, albeit you'd need Office2004 or some other suite of applications. (If a student, they can buy Office for about $170 and get a $30 mail-in rebate.) Another addition (at $150) is EyeTV which will feed TV signals into the Mac for viewing while working, or even recording.

The laptops are nice and serve their purpose, but money-wise the iMac is the way to go unless you want the portability versus desktop larger screen. Of course, they will handle video nicely, and we've even edited professional productions with Final Cut Pro on a PowerBook, so even the new base level Intels will do this.

Bought my iMac about a month ago and have no regrets, nor even buyer's remorse. CompuSmart will throw in an iPod with their iMacs and laptops, and also have printer combos at a good price. Or do it all online at the Apple Store...don't know if there's a physical store in Vancouver yet. Or head down to Seattle and buy it there for a few dollars less than the Canadian prices, with tax, etc.