Mac Mini: Best HTPC On The Market?

I used to run Boxee and XBMC on an older (but still Intel based) Mac Book Pro. Compared to the Windows HTPCs i'd built in the past this thing rarely crashed. And with the minimalist remote it was perfect for the main TV in house and the family was happy. It did experience a crash once in a while and I kept thinking about the power I must be wasting, not to mention all of the other cool things a Mac Book Pro could be used for. So i ended up buying a Boxee Box.

What I didn't know is if i'd miss having a full computer connected to my TV. So the experiment started. Turns out I didn't miss it at all. That's why I struggle now when looking at this beautiful box and ask myself do i really need it? Here's why I might:

1. TV: by far the biggest reason is this . . . with all the great things about Boxee it still can't do over the air and DVR like this box could. 
2. Web browsing much easier: While Boxee does have the interface, its just easier to do on a HTPC. 
3.  Flexiblity: I could try Plex, XBMC, etc, any interface i'd want to play with that could be easier for the family

I like the idea of consolidating everything (TV and playback) through a single box. That's why i can make the argument it'd be work the $599 price tag. Plus it looks phenomenal.