I have a Mac mini with both Plex and Boxee, and at least 50 movies and 65 TV shows in my Movies folder. With the advent of AirPlay; the upcoming ATVFlash; and possibility of iOS apps for Apple TV, would there be any advantages to purchasing an Apple TV?
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Advantages of Apple TV over Mac mini?
- Thread starter ginopiazza49
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Not really. You've got local storage and way better codec support. A Mac Mini with Remote Buddy is imo the ultimate HTPC. ATV is cheaper.
Depends on how you use it. You don't say, but is the mini your main computer or an extension of another computer that manages your iTunes library? If the latter, the ATV can do most of what you get now in an easier to control environment, while consuming only 1-6 watts. The ATV also shows up as a location you can play audio and video content to from the remote app which the mini can't do if it's an additional client. Otherwise, the mini is obviously far more flexible, but the ATV packs an awful lot into that small box.
with the addition of airfoil you can have the mini function as remote speakers, and hopefully since apple has opened airplay (unlike airtunes), they'll be able to make it work directly from iTunes soon. or apple will release an airplay client for mac (but doubtful, since they never did for airtunes)
i've got a current gen mini with plex and remote buddy, can't be beat. use a wii-mote to control it all.