Not necessarily. Just because a first gen product doesn't have overheating issues doesn't mean successive generations are exempt from heating issues. Look at the claims for instance of heating issues with the iPhone 3GS, the third iteration of the iPhone. I'm not saying the Mini is known for overheating (at least to my knowledge) but just because something in the past didn't have a problem doesn't mean it won't now.
Nothing in this world is perfect...but I would like to think that if a company wants to continue selling a product & remain profitable...that they continue to improve their products.
Maybe you do or maybe you don't remember when Apple back in the Mid-90's or so had a problem with batteries "bursting into flames" in some of their laptops.
Well how long to you think that could go on unresolved?...well Apple addressed the problem in a BIG hurry!!!
Give this a read:
PowerBook at AllExperts
If Mac Mini's had an over-heating problem...as the original poster's "PC World" friend suggested...then I'm sure Apple would be very sure that successive products did not have the same problem.
Yes I agree that successive generations of Mac Mini's would not be exempt from heating issues just because previous generation's were free of problems.
But when a product like the Mac Mini that was first released in early 2005...and is currently on something like it's 5th generation WITHOUT over-heating issues...that's a pretty darn good track record to expect that generation #6 will also be free of over-heating issue's.
The main point is...the original poster's "PC World" friend was wrong about saying that Mac-Mini's have over-heating problems...and no one should decide against a Mac Mini due to heat related issues.
- Nick