Apple Mac Mini (1.83GHz Intel Core 2 Duo)

Pros: Easy to setup and use.

Cons: No, you can't do heavy gaming or video editing.

Summary: A mini to a Power Mac is like a Humvee to a tank. It doesn't come with a lot of firepower, horsepower, or armor but if you need to get over rough terrain, you'll be more successful then driving a cheaper Jeep.

The mini is an entry-level Apple at minimal expense. The mini allows people to surf the net and download mail without all the risks that comes with XP or Vista. Users are not exposed to the typical system lockups and blue screens of death of Windows.

Entry-level computer buyers are not likely wanting a high-level gaming or video editing machine. They want a computer for basic functions like word processing, photo-storage banking, interneting, etc.

Processor speed is a relative thing. A computer beginner won't know the difference between 1.8 and 2 ghz. So it's not a real issue.

If you want a reliagle, state-of-the-art Apple computer without spending a lot of money, try the mini.