I have a mini pc for about a year now.
There are loads on ebay and amazon, different makes, but the chips are the same. I believe that there are only 2 different chips the RK3066 (dual core) and the RK3166 (quad core). If they are not loaded with xbmc its easy to do. Recently xbmc have posted an idiots guide on the net of there latest update, that even I could follow.
There is a learning curve with these devices and there not absolutely perfect, but they do the job, and once you have paid your £60 or so, all steaming is absolutely free. They are also 'google play' compatible, that allows you to down load 1,000's of aps as well as Filmon, BBci player etc.
Through xbmc you can download 1channel, icefilms, navi-x etc. Basically you can watch live or stream in virtually every film or TV programme that's ever been made (most of the time). They are not perfect, have to be re-booted at times and take some getting used to, but on the whole well worth the £60.
I have a Trosmart MK 908 (RK3166 quad core) comes fully loaded with xbmc and loads more.
Gary Goody is installing similar devices, and I believe he is loading them up with all the aps that each individual requires.