You can add Paul Thurrott to the list.
"Compared to other living room solutions, the Apple TV falls flat unless, again, you've really made a commitment to iTunes and have decided that's the way to consume TV and movie content. (If so, you're kind of a
tool, actually.) For the same price, you could get an Xbox 360..."
http://www.winsupersite.com/reviews/appletv.asp
This was my email response to that review:
Well, Paul you had a laughably pathetic review of the apple TV. For me it is the easiest and most simple way to get my iTunes centric content off my computer and into the living room. Ive been toying with getting a MacMini and doing things that way, but for me this is so much simpler and I expect it will only grow in function as HD content become available on iTunes. For all your bitterness that Apple and iTunes tends to be a closed shop (which is true), the pay off comes from the integration and ease of use. Judging from your Kool-Aid and in the companys back pocket comments, I can only guess that you will be grinding your teeth in anguish as this product starts to take off. Make no mistake, this product will evolve, but its current form is the foundation for a very successful future. That, at least, is my prediction.
What most of the Redmond based folks fail to realize is that there is a consumer sweet spot that Apple has more consistently been able to hit. The MS approach is to try to move the masses to their point of view. It is like saying hey yeah, this is an inelegant interface, complicated, and a bit hard to use, but if you want to stream movies, music, photos and the like, then this is what you gotta do! What do you think we have technology consultants for?
Anyway, Im saving your Apple TV review and I will love to re-read it in 3 years.
ctakim