The only real problem is that Apple’s Mac Mini is what everyone had as a starting point, and what is also held up as the pinnacle of small system design, with everyone else’s efforts pretty much looking like Mac Mini derivatives of one kind or another.

That said, the real challenge has been to get true computing power into such a small box, instead of the often cut-down specs that have been in such boxes to date, as they have been hampered by a lack of space to offer higher end parts that not only needed more space but would generate more heat, thus requiring more fans, and thereby generating more noise – something that you don’t want in a small computer designed to live in the living room next to the TV.

There is also the issue of Intel’s Viiv technology, which is specially tweaked to allow computers to offer a much better PC-TV experience. Plug a Viiv-equipped box into a flat-screen TV, and it will work better and more smoothly than a regular PC that has Windows Media Center (from XP or Vista) running on it. At least, that’s the theory, with Viiv failing to truly ignite the imagination of consumers.

Nevertheless, despite a bit of a slow start to Viiv, the Viiv platform was actually a great development for Media Center computers, as it gave manufacturers a standard reference platform to build upon, specially designed to cope with the extra demands that digital media places on everyday computers.

There are some out there that hate the fact that Viiv has DRM within, as does the Windows Media Center, but as long as hackers are out there finding ways around DRM systems, I’m personally not too worried, especially with EMI deciding to finally start offering DRM-free music. Hopefully, it is the tipping point for hardware and software companies AND content creators to realise that consumers simply aren’t interested in DRM, although there’s still a lot of work to be done before a DRM-free world is truly embraced by the global companies concerned.

Korea's TriGem - Home Theatre Lluon 'Black Crystal'

You can see high-res versions at Intel’s website.

While they both look relatively snazzy, they really do have the Mac Mini to thank for inspiration, don’t you think? But then, this is a problem that anyone will have. After all, most DVD players look the same, most mp3 players look the same, most phones look the same.

Please read onto the conclusion on page 2 to see why I'm not that impressed.