In its first Mac review, Tom’s Hardware Guide compares the Mac Mini to Small Form-Factor Windows PCs, concluding:
Compared to the well-known SFF PCs, Apple’s Mac Mini stands out with its exceptional design. The choice of color, form and materials literally puts the Mini into a class of its own. The high build quality and overall charm are also points in its favor, especially compared to other SFF PCs. Its very compact dimensions, its near-silent operation and the low power draw of roughly 20 W make its rivals from the Windows world look like amateurs.