You mentioned a Mac Mini handing the streaming of media just fine as an alternative to the Time Capsule. I am curious, was the Mini streaming video, backing up multiple computers, and serving as your point-of-access for your multiple devices' internet connection? Even if it was, that COMPUTER is more capable to handle the amount of information going on with the extra power added by the processsor/memory/wireless hardware.

I understand your desire to have a device that can actually handle all of the information simultaneously being synced/streamed/stored/saved, but the hardware technology does not exist to actually manage that much data on one device's bandwidth. Even with an iMac, try backing up to a wired hard drive, downloading some music in iTunes, syncing contacts/calendars/email accounts, and streaming content from Hulu or some other video content and I'm pretty sure that as that device starts to multi-task at that rate.. it will inevitably choke and buffer (no matter if it's a netbook, MacBook Pro, -or- Intel i7).

Cut Apple some slack and just spring for a dedicated media server, keep that Mac Mini, or even consider looking at the 160gb Apple TV. It's the same reason why professional music studios run dedicated towers to their craft… you have certain devices for specific purposes (not putting all your eggs in 1 basket).

And last but not least, you could always even think about getting a real computer as opposed to that lightweight MacBook Air you've got as your wimpy iTunes machine.

PS: Congrats on the techthehalls engagement.

You mentioned a Mac Mini handing the streaming of media just fine as an alternative to the Time Capsule. I am curious, was the Mini streaming video, backing up multiple computers, and serving as your point-of-access for your multiple devices' internet connection? Even if it was, that COMPUTER is more capable to handle the amount of information going on with the extra power added by the processsor/memory/wireless hardware.

I understand your desire to have a device that can actually handle all of the information simultaneously being synced/streamed/stored/saved, but the hardware technology does not exist to actually manage that much data on one device's bandwidth. Even with an iMac, try backing up to a wired hard drive, downloading some music in iTunes, syncing contacts/calendars/email accounts, and streaming content from Hulu or some other video content and I'm pretty sure that as that device starts to multi-task at that rate.. it will inevitably choke and buffer (no matter if it's a netbook, MacBook Pro, -or- Intel i7).

Cut Apple some slack and just spring for a dedicated media server, keep that Mac Mini, or even consider looking at the 160gb Apple TV. It's the same reason why professional music studios run dedicated towers to their craft… you have certain devices for specific purposes (not putting all your eggs in 1 basket).

And last but not least, you could always even think about getting a real computer as opposed to that lightweight MacBook Air you've got as your wimpy iTunes machine.

PS: Congrats on the techthehalls engagement.