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Story: Is the Mac mini good value?

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It is absurd to compare this to a pc. the only thing that it shares with a pc is what's inside. the concept behind it is to make a computer that isn't a computer but is a consumer device like the ipod. this is not a computer for a desk. this is a computer that you attach to your stereo system or your tv or put in your kitchen or bedside table. the entire "i just need to do what i need to do with my computer and if it gets it done, that's fine," is completely moot on a consumer device. People instead ask, "will it be easy to use? will it fit in where i want to put it? does it look nice? Will I be able to do neat things more easily?"

Imagine having this, a computer smaller than an xBox, on top of your high def tv. you flip TV video on your remote and suddenly, because of how intuitive and integrated all of apple's software is, you are doing a video chat with your friend on your tv! It's almost like he's in the room with you!. Better yet, you pull up all your music on the screen via itunes and make playlists or even purchase new music, all sitting on your couch with your wireless keyboard. Use it as a dvd player, show a slide show. All this always available right at your fingertips! You can receive emailed videos and play them on the big screen or watch them on the little lcd in your kitchen or on the table by your couch. This liberates the computer to be the device that it always had the potential to be for everyone but that it always felt like a too much of a drag to implement. And because it doesn't ship with any extras, people can add the extras that suit their needs. Besides, there are websites that are already offering a free keyboard and mouse with every mac mini order. Apple is the only one who makes software easy enough so that this has the potential to catch on in a huge way. And as they say, once you go mac, you never go back. I don't know a single person who has spent extensive time using Mac OS X who doesn't prefer it to Windows.

Yes, the technology to do this has been around for years. yes, individuals have done it before. But i defy you to find me a successful consumer device that requires a tech saavy person to make it effective.

Apple did with the ipod and music, apple is once again doing with the computer - bringing in the next evolution of computing and creating an entirely new market.

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