PC Competition for the Mac mini?

Omega1045 asks: "When Apple announced their Mac mini last week for US$499, it caught my eye. Wanting to buy/build a small PC for my already cramped breakfast bar, I started pricing out similar PC hardware. The results startled me. It was very difficult to price a PC as small (6.5" x 6.5" x 2") as the Mac mini with comparable equipment cheaper than the Mac mini. Indeed, most of the configurations I found were more than the humble $499 of the Mac, often much more. To match price I often had to configure with a much bigger shuttle-style case. What computers are currently on the market to compete with this? When my wife asks for the 'cute little Mac', what PC can I buy instead that will take up as little space and do as much for the same price (or less)?" How long do you think it will take PC manufacturers to answer Apple's latest entry into the market?

Comments

Re:an obvious flame inducing topic...

[NotoriousQ]

Well you are inducing a flame...

As a Hummer owner, I will not even think about dribing those cars more powerful and more fuel efficient than a Hummer, for the simple reason that it will not be a Hummer.

You made an argument that is as dumb as the other one. You do imply that there is some extra value to it...be it ease of use, or set of applications that you like. I will even accept that you like how it looks as a good reason. (Personally, I hate how os x looks and works. I hate the extra layout confusion where some apps are in /bin and some are /Applications. It is not for me. Maybe with enough customization I can make it tolerable...but)

However, if your reason is just it won't be running OS X, you are a dumb fanboy.