Good suggestion but I want one more thing, don’t take the firewire port out, please. Or Apple can take FW 400 out but give us FW 800 instead. Oh! I’m just dreaming.

Nice ideas, but it sounds like what you really want is an upgraded Apple TV, not a Mac mini.

Some of the features you ask for are already covered, while others are non-starters:

With DVI already included, there’s no need for an HDMI port, since the Mini is a computer not a component.

BackRow is unnecessary as Front Row is already an included app, along with remote control.

Buyers can currently purchase a Bluetooth wireless keyboard/mouse for the Mini. The concept is Bring-your-own-keyboard-mouse-and-display.

NVidia video chips are likely, as Apple tends to switch between video chip lines every few years.

However, Blu-ray is a no-go on the low-cost Mini. Jobs already nixed that notion.

One thing that the Mini *should* include is a front USB connection and an optical audio output.

In short, though, it seems what you’d like is Apple’s version of the Dell Studio Hybrid: http://www.dell.com/hybrid

I’ll tell you one thing the Mac Mini needs - a lower price tag. I can get a £300 PC with LOTS more features. Why does Apple always think a shiny box will make me hand over my credit card? computers are for using, not expensive paperweights. idiots.

This is tricky. Personally, I’d rather have DVI than DisplayPort on the Mac mini.

Remember that this is a low-end machine for the cost conscious who are going to be a little miffed to get it home and discover that it only works with an $899 Apple display, or that you had to buy a $29 to work with the DVI display at home.

Have a DVI to DisplayPort adapter for those who want to buy an Apple display with their Mac mini.

I think that HDMI and E-SATA connectivity are esssential upgrades needed for the MacMini.
The NVidia and CPU upgrades are a no-brainer but the two above would support for EVERY plasma and LCDTV out there and provide FAST external HDD access (3.2G bps vs 400mbps for Firewire 400). Don’t upgrade the firewire - give us ESATA!!!
If they want to sell the MacMinis by the truckload that is what I would add. The HDMI would cost less than $20 to add (licensing costs) the ESata less that $1. The SATA chipset is already on the mobo all they need is an external connector. The third thing to add would be TV in support but ElGato do a great job with their Eye-TV - maybe Apple could bundle the Eye-TV for a supported Home Media Center setup. This would be sweet.

PeterSW

The mac mini (intel) has already an optical audio output, via TOS-link