PG

Hi all,

I am considering getting the above machine to sit in the av stack in the lounge.
Thus far all my computing equipment has been PC/Windows and I know HTPC could be built specifically however they seem pricey by comparrison.
Is it worthwhile? What extras would I need to buy to have a 'complete' system and let the Mac intergrate with my existing network?

Cheers

Paul

Markus

Mac Mini does not come with a keyboard or mouse, so you'd want those, perhaps of a blue tooth variety so they are completely wireless. You would also need an output display cable that would allow you to plug the mini into your TV, the component out lead would probably be the best bet. It does (well certainly the latest intel mini's) have digital audio out via the headphone socket, so grab a special cable there to allow you to plug the digital audio into your AV amp.

The only thing I can really think of that you might want to do is to make the DVD drive region free. Some of the drives can, some cannot. If you know the model number of the mac mini you'd purchase, do a search to find out the optical drive model number then have a look and see if a firmware patch is available. Of course, if you're a region 2 only person then you'd not need to do this.

It also comes with built in ethernet and airport card, so it can be wired and/or wireless, so it should integrate with your existing network.

Software wise, well, Front Row would be the HTPC type interface, allowing you to view and listen to movies, music and pictures. The only other software you'd probably want would be flip4mac to allow QuickTime to handle Windows media files, and also VLC, another media player that should handle anything the QT + flip4mac cannot.

Another alternative to this might be to get a second hand xbox and modchip it (if it's not chipped already). Fit a larger hard drive and get the Advanced AV output lead and install XBMC on it. With this you have a pretty capable HTPC, digital audio out, region free without firmware hacks.

I guess it depends on exactly what you want from a HTPC.

jowl

Does the Mini G4 come with remote/front row?

Some models didn't come with Bluetooth and Airport. I know mine didn't (can't remember about remote though!!)

The pre-intel ones do not have digital audio tough

ScoobyDoo555

The new ones do

Front Row is part of OSX - I've got an enabler if anybody wants it. It allows the use of Front Row without the remote

Dan

PG

Thanks for the info.
It's this one and I thought it represented good value.
Hmmmm do I, don't I ??

ScoobyDoo555

Looks good for the money - BUT I'd be asking what the processor speed is......

1.42 or 1.45 or what?

Also won't use the infra red control though. (Non-Intel Duo Core job)

Good machine tho

DAn

jowl

Personally I think you'd be better going for a new Intel one. 'Only' £100ish more.

You'd get much better performance (even tho the G4 is okay) as well a good amount of RAM (that only has 256) and a remote with Front row.

In fact I'd say that that G4 isn' worth it. I'll sell you mine for that price though - with 512mb RAM

Markus

The other advantage of going with an Intel Mac Mini is that it can dual boot XP/Vista. I think, and I may be wrong though, that the region free stuff out there will work under XP but not Mac OS X, so you could use software rather than patching the drives firmware.

Simon C

You can dual boot on a mini intel.