[nathos]

I find a Mac mini + Plex to be an excellent home media center: http://www.plexapp.com/

The new media management features in the upcoming Plex/Nine release look great: http://vimeo.com/11880867

The Apple Bluetooth keyboard is small enough to be living room friendly.

Overall, a Mac mini isn't quite as simple as AppleTV, but it's far more functional.

[obelix]

Yes, it definitely is more functional. Every now and then I am tempted to spend the $600 for a dedicated mini, but why bother?

If a boxee box does the job for $200, has 1080p, 7.1 out, 802.11n / Gig.E why bother spending $600?

I hope the Logitech setup GoogleTv box does the job.

[nathos]

For me, the mini performs other tasks.

It's always on, so it's a great home storage server (I have a Drobo w/ 4.5TB of storage attached via FireWire 800).

It downloads torrents & podcasts nicely.

Also, the shared library support coming in Plex/Nine looks killer. I'm looking forward to running Plex on my MacBook without having to maintain a separate metadata library.

[obelix]

I have two iMacs which already do what you say (Drobo as well). Don't want another device hooked there.

[timcederman]

I also have a Mac Mini with Plex - it's an awesome arrangement, and I also have the Mini repurposed as a NAS of sorts.