I'm currently using a dying PowerBook G4 as a HTPC on my Sharp 46D64U. In addition to being able to play some HD content on a new Mac Mini, does the mini have enough resources to do a few other things? Mainly I'd like to run a torrent client on it and apache (for iCal sharing).

Also, does anyone have any experience with using Leopard Server as a HTPC OS on a Mini? I noticed that Leopard has an iCal server and xGrid (which I've wanted to experiment with).

Lastly, is there a big benefit to going with the 2.0ghz as opposed to the 1.83ghz?

Answers depend on what you want to do.

As just a home network media player, the 1.83 GH Mini will do a nice job for you. upgrade the RAM to 2G, but instead of getting a bigger drive, buy an external drive to store all your media. 500G is now less than $200. and buy another one for Time Machine if you don't have it already to back up everything.

however, if you want to process video a lot - iMovie, convert files to H264, etc. - especially in hi-def, then you want more horsepower, because unfortunately USB hardware like Elgato's Turbo 264 still does not do hi-def, and the Mini alone is a lot slower crunching files than an iMac.

in that case, rather than 2.0 GH Mini, i'd wait until the next Mini upgrade comes out, probably in January (maybe a total makeover) to get at least another speed bump to 2.4 GH and also (n) wireless. a better built in graphics card would be nice too.

Is there any solid information that the mini will be updated? I have looked all over for this and want to wait if they are indeed going to revamp the mini. Personally, It will probably be fast enough to do most things but the only thing that concerns me is the graphics.

Is there any solid information that the mini will be updated?No. Given that MacWorld '08 is sneaking up on us, rumors will be rampant. I'm sure we'll have a thread dedicated to MacWorld '08 rumor-mongering shortly. But I really doubt we'll have any hardware info until then.