Mac Mini as Media Center is Mediocre at the Moment

Michael Gartenberg | February 02, 2005, 10:12 AM

First, it's important to note that the Mac Mini wasn't designed to be home media center and hooked up to a TV and used across the room, so this isn't a ding on the product. Having said that, the form factor is so cute and the connections for things like DVI, WiFi, Bluetooth are all there so it really begs to be tried out. I tried using it connected to a 30" HiDef LCD plasma, connected to my home network and using a BT mouse and keyboard for control. Everything works fine but the experience as whole just doesn't work. The same UI that is lovely from a 2" experience just doesn't work across the room. Too many times you need to use the mouse AND keyboard to make something happen. The text is just too hard to read (and unlike Windows, there's no global way I have found to make everything readable). This machine is just begging for a 10" UI to control things like iLife and allow for IM, Web and Email use. The good news is that if Apple isn't interested in bringing this to market, it's a huge opportunity for third parties. Add in an El-Gato DVR solution to the mix and you have a platform that could give MSFT a real run for the money as a home media hub. But not in the current incarnation.