Mac mini spawns Wintel "clone"
Category: Tech...
Posted Wednesday, June 01, 2005 at 05:51 PM [GMT-6]

Taiwanese computer manufacturer AOpen is showing a Mac mini-style CPU at the the Computex Taipei 2005 tradeshow. The "Mini PC" is actually slightly smaller than Apple's offering, and uses Intel's Pentium M processor. From the Macworld article:

The AOpen “Mini PC” touts a DVD-RW drive, 802.11 a/b/g wireless networking and support for Bluetooth. It also features DVI, S-Video and component video support, making it capable of connecting to an HDTV, plasma display or large screen display panel, according to the manufacturer. It measures 5.9 inches square and 1.97 inches tall, almost the same size but just slightly smaller than the Mac mini.

Here's how AOpen describes this "breakthrough" product:

“Measuring 15 cm by 15 cm by 5 cm, Mini PC is not only the world’s smallest Intel PC platform, but also smaller than a similar model on the market,” says Vincent Cho, VP and GM of Solution Products Business Unit. “What is more important, billions of Win-tel users in the world no longer have to tolerate the hassle of switching operating systems just to take advantage of the miniaturized and stylish personal computing devices,” he continues.

I like that reference to "...a similar model on the market." How very coy. I'm sure that "billions of Win-tel" users are eagerly lining up, now that they can finally get stylish personal computing devices.

Analysts don't think Apple will be sweating too much over this new competition.

IDC analyst Roger Kay said: "I don't think the two - Mac mini and whatever Intel puts out - are really in the same market; that is, of course, unless Apple starts running OS X on x86 hardware."

Kay does not expect Intel to benefit from the success of the Mac mini – said to be selling at the rate of 40,000 a month. "The Pentium M and Windows XP are pretty expensive components. It would be hard to hit the Mac mini's $499 price point with that combo," wrote IDC's Kay.

Pricing and other specs for the "Mini PC" have not been released, but when was the last time Apple was being touted as a low-cost leader in any category?

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Comments

There are "billions" of Windows users?

Wow. Who knew?

Posted by: Brian at June 1, 2005 07:17 PM

No wonder the Chinese seem to be in a persistent state of annoyance.

Posted by: Eric at June 1, 2005 10:24 PM

I can see it's PC bashing time. ;-)

The Chinese use Linux, so it isn't their OS that's got them all worked up. It's not like they're having A Microsoft Moment?. They've got tons of bootleg CDs and DVDs, so it's not their entertainment that's lacking, either.

It's the food.

There isn't one good steak house or rib joint in the whole country. What Texans take for granted must be a torture to the Chinese. Every one of them knows that somewhere, out there, those nasty Americans with big hats are wolfing down real food and not dried dog dumplings and skinned cat surprise.

Sure, Snopes says, "...it's not a widespread practice and by many reports remains limited to certain far-flung backwards regions." Uh huh. Cultural apologists aside, a blogger has pics of the raw ingredients being sold on the open market. (click at your own risk).

There's a couple other reasons (like their tiny portions), but the food they eat is the biggie. :p

Posted by: Mr. Freen at June 2, 2005 01:05 AM

I can see it's PC bashing time.

Well...well...they started it. <petulant sniff>

Posted by: Eric at June 2, 2005 08:34 AM
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