I don't understand how the mini could get more than 6/10 stars. I mean... how could it do better?
Industrial design. 1 star that most PC boxes lack.
OS X AND Windows. 1 star that PC boxes lack.
Now, lets compare it to a PC box.
Less upgradable. Minus a star.
Overpriced for what's in it. Minus a star.
Underspec'd for a 2011 computer. Minus another star.
No ODD. Minus a star.
Not easily upgradable. Minus a star.
Assuming a computer starts with a 10/10 at baseline, a 6/10 sounds pretty solid to me. How many people are going to buy a Mac Mini because they can't fit a $300 slim mini-tower (your typical PC from Best Buy) on their desk. How many people aren't going to buy a mini because it doesn't play blu-ray or can't run their games.
No, it's an overpriced, over-spec'd machine that's not good for much besides number crunching... if you can even install Office on it.
You're entitled to your opinion, but it seems you have it in for the mini from the start. You have the mini getting 2 plusses and 5 minuses. That would be a 7/10 if you start at 10/10. Also, you've dinged the mini for "Less Upgradeable" and "Not Easily Upgradeable" ... aren't they the same thing? In addition, "Overpriced" and "Underspec'd" are the same thing in my mind.
So to me, if I re-do the math, the mini should get a 9/10.
Hey, like I said before, you're entitled to your opinion. I personally don't think the mini is worth the money either, but some folks value the design of the mini more than others. The lack of the ODD is disturbing to me, but I see Apple's direction here.
If you look at hardware specs alone, Macs will rarely ever be the value play. But Macs aren't just about hardware ... it's about the overall package.
One last thing, what's with the Office comment? Macs can install Office just fine.