When Apple released the Mac Mini on Tuesday at the MWSF Keynote, my thoughts instantly went to two things: a computer for “the rest of world” and as a Home Theater PC. Currently, I’m living in the United Arab Emirates, and services like TiVo aren’t available here. What follows are my thoughts on how to make this work.

My requirements for a HTPC are as follows:

1. Able to play my entire iTunes music collection, including songs purchased from the iTunes Music Store
   • Able to play DVD movies and DivX content that I have legally converted from DVD’s I own
   • S-Video or Component Video output
   • Optical audio output (TOS-link, ideally)
   • A remote control, so the device can be used as a component in my home theater system
   • High speed network access for files stored on my other computers
   • As quiet as possible, as to not take anything away from the experience

At first, I thought my G5 Tower would be up to the task, at least in part, as it has Optical Audio jacks. However, it is large, hard to maneuver, and a pain to access the rear panels when something needs to be added or rewired. I had also considered a SFF Windows or Linux box, but the idea of all the extra work for something that should be simple has been delaying me for the last three months. Now, the Mac Mini has been released, and as it fits most of the base specs I needed, it seems to be my box. Additional items purchased would make the system exactly what I want and need.

Initial configuration:

1. 512 MB RAM or more.
2. Airport Extreme upgrade

(The bluetooth adapter, larger hard drive, DVD-R drive, and faster processor I don’t think would make a significant impact on the system’s ability to do what I need.)

Other Required Items:

1. M-Audio Transit for optical output
   • KeySpan Express Remote
     • VideoLAN Client for DVD and DivX playback
       • Apple DVI to Video Adapter

Upgrades that would be nice, but not required:

1. PowerMate – a jog shuttle for volume control or video scrubbing
2. A 4 port powered USB hub
3. An iSight video camera for iChat AV
4. A firewire hub
5. Extra iPod Dock

From what I can tell, with the listed items, this system would be exactly suited to my needs, but now I need to come up with a chunk of change to make it all work. And, of course, pray that Apple indeed ships the Mini on the 22nd of January and doesn’t suffer from the usual delay in shipping that has plagued them for the last several years.