Apple Mac Mini (2.0GHz Intel Core 2 Duo, 120GB, Winter 2009)

Pros: Fast graphics card (finally), Firewire 800, dual monitor support.

Cons: Apple cheaped-out on the remote control. (additional purchase, $20)

Summary: I own three Mac minis. The mini is a practical machine that can sit at a desk, under a TV, or in a bedroom without making noise or drawing attention to itself.

Think of the Mac mini as a multimedia appliance, not a hobbyist's upgradable computer.

Put the Mini under your HDTV, add a wireless keyboard, sit back and enjoy web surfing, iTunes, iPhoto, YouTube, DVD playing, EyeTV, and boxee. Forget the technical, hairsplitting, benchmarks. Day-to-day you can't tell 5400 RPM from 7200 RPM when surfing the web or updating Twitter.

It's perfect for a dorm room, small apartment, or the energy-conscious consumer, and if you want to run Windows, it will do that too.

[This review was written on a mini from the family room couch with a garage-sale wireless keyboard ($15).]