mini refurbs at Apple Store

Just a reminder the newest minis will not accept the mini-pcie card that allows for accelerated HD movie playback.

Bought one last week, runs great, I have Plex running on it, second system configured this way.

True the new minis don't allow the card, but, the new minis have a better GPU which now has an interface so that software can be updated to use them. So, without messing with the mini, eventually, you'll get accelerated playback.

Yeah the new one is much better especially for HTPC users. I was going to build a Mini-ITX and thought why bother when the Mac Mini can get the job done?

I don't know if I would say much better. They have some upgrades such as the cpu (not much of speed upgrade), a newer integrated graphics chip, and, probably the big item, the HDMI port. The HDMI port will send the audio and video which is cool if you equipment for it. Then again, as of this date, no HD audio over the HDMI, which for some is a big problem.

My guess, a lot of people just want the latest and greatest. Apple has done a good with getting people like that.

If you have a mini, or older TVs or AVRs, the 2009 mini refurbs are fine, and you can save a good chunk of money too.

If you have a whole house HDMI switch, you NEED the new Mini since otherwise, my switch doesn't work. Surprisingly, the new Mini is twice the framerate when doing Handbrake encodes of my old 2Ghz mini. Not sure why it gets twice, but, it does. This is a major difference for me. Encodes that took 2 days now take < 1. On the 2Ghz mini I had, if I was doing an encode and I wanted to watch a movie, it would stutter, so I had to pause my encodes. Not with the new mini.

I also have the ability to hook HDMI up as mentioned, AND, put optical out into my AV receiver. I can then play music through the receiver as well through the optical.

So, those were the major features of the new Mini for me. Definitely worth the $200+. I sold the old one on Ebay for $460.