The thing with the mac mini is I would be forced to buy an external USB/Firewire interface like an mbox or digi002.

Plus after configuring the mac mini with a gig of ram and the burner drive,it breaks a $1000 usd.The computer I could assemble myself is thus...

Athlon 64 3000+(1.8Ghz)
1 Gig of Ram
200 Gig HD
Dual layer dvd/cd-rw burner
XP pro
M-audio pci-Delta 1010LT sound card

and that runs in at just under a $1000 and is fully upgradable.

So I guess its PC land for me.