Intel Preps Mac Mini Look-Alike

digerati · May 30, 2005, 09:34 PM

A new Wintel prototype that openly apes Apple Computer's popular Mac mini is due out this week, sources told Wired News, giving Intel a showcase to prove its chips are a match for anyone when it comes to tiny PC designs. Working prototypes of the Mac mini look-alike running Microsoft Windows and based on Intel's Pentium M CPU have already been built by Taiwan-based PC maker AOpen, according to two sources in Taiwan's PC manufacturing industry who have seen them. These sources added that the prototype was built at Intel's request, and will be unveiled here at the Computex trade show, which runs May 31 through June 4.

Apple has been using the Mac mini to encourage users of Intel-based PCs running Windows to "switch," a campaign Intel hopes to blunt. But analysts said they don't see big consumer demand for a clone of the stylish and popular box, or much of a threat to Apple. "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," said IDC analyst Roger Kay.

Intel did not respond to a request for comment on this story.
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Read More: Wired News

Tipstaff · May 30, 2005, 11:55 PM

Most likely it will look like THIS.. or at least very similar (this one is a Wintel Celeron based mini, but I think this was the prototype).

A lot of my corporate clients look to get as small a case as possible for the ability to 'hide' the units, and thereby giving allowing them to have more desktop space available, or more space period. Recently we sold 20 computers for use in a kiosk type environment where the PCs would be locked up in a cabinet. Trying to find a small enough PC case that would accept a micro ATX board was a pain in the @$$, and one that didn't block the CPU or vent holes was almost double the trouble. The biggest concern was heat, and these guys were just cheap. Just couldn't get them to go for the Pentium M based machines. To me this looks to be promising as long as it's viable... and cheap.

My only concern is quality (capacitors, design), and what parts it uses. If the power supply goes I would have to make sure that I had a replacement since you could almost bet they would be proprietary. God knows I've been in that situation before.

-Tip

May 30, 2005, 09:34 PM	#1
digerati Everyones life has worth Join Date: May 2003 Location: My Yellow Bug Posts: 3,779 Rep Power: 0	Intel Preps Mac Mini Look-Alike A new Wintel prototype that openly apes Apple Computer's popular Mac mini is due out this week, sources told Wired News, giving Intel a showcase to prove its chips are a match for anyone when it comes to tiny PC designs. Working prototypes of the Mac mini look-alike running Microsoft Windows and based on Intel's Pentium M CPU have already been built by Taiwan-based PC maker AOpen, according to two sources in Taiwan's PC manufacturing industry who have seen them. These sources added that the prototype was built at Intel's request, and will be unveiled here at the Computex trade show, which runs May 31 through June 4. Apple has been using the Mac mini to encourage users of Intel-based PCs running Windows to "switch," a campaign Intel hopes to blunt. But analysts said they don't see big consumer demand for a clone of the stylish and popular box, or much of a threat to Apple. "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," said IDC analyst Roger Kay. Intel did not respond to a request for comment on this story. ___________________________ Read More: Wired News

May 30, 2005, 11:55 PM	#2
Tipstaff HardwareHeaven Extreme Member Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Real capital of Canada: Torauna Posts: 6,773 Rep Power: 191 System Specs	Most likely it will look like THIS.. or at least very similar (this one is a Wintel Celeron based mini, but I think this was the prototype). A lot of my corporate clients look to get as small a case as possible for the ability to 'hide' the units, and thereby giving allowing them to have more desktop space available, or more space period. Recently we sold 20 computers for use in a kiosk type environment where the PCs would be locked up in a cabinet. Trying to find a small enough PC case that would accept a micro ATX board was a pain in the @$$, and one that didn't block the CPU or vent holes was almost double the trouble. The biggest concern was heat, and these guys were just cheap. Just couldn't get them to go for the Pentium M based machines. To me this looks to be promising as long as it's viable... and cheap. My only concern is quality (capacitors, design), and what parts it uses. If the power supply goes I would have to make sure that I had a replacement since you could almost bet they would be proprietary. God knows I've been in that situation before. -Tip __________________ Portal: The Flash Version _________________________________ Brain: So, you sacked the cocky khaki Kicky Sack sock plucker? Mr. Sackett: The second cocky khaki Kicky Sack sock plucker I've sacked since the sixth sitting sheet slitter got sick.