Updated: AOpen MiniPC – Imitation is the Sincerest Form of Flattery
by Jarred Walton on March 3, 2006 12:05 AM EST- Posted in
- Systems
Conclusion
The AOpen MiniPC leaves an overall mixed impression. On the one hand, it's fast enough for a lot of uses and it's extremely small. It definitely has the "cool factor" going for it - which isn't particularly surprising since it clones the Mac Mini. That's another potential point in its favor: it's faster than the older Mac Minis, and if you prefer Windows XP over Mac OS X, you really don't have many other options for ultra small computers. There are also more options available in terms of appearance and components for the MiniPC; with a Mac, you're often stuck with what Apple chooses to sell. That said, the new Mac Mini Core Duo at $800 is obviously the better bargain right now, and AOpen (and their partners) will need to look at matching the Mac Minis in price and features.
Another problem with the design is that it really is just a laptop without a screen and a keyboard, and it performs as you'd expect. Combine that with the fact that you can currently get a similarly equipped laptop for about the same price as the MiniPC, and it's difficult to see a large market for such a computer. Even if you're okay with the limitations, we'd recommend waiting for the Core Duo model instead of buying the current version, and it might be a few more months before that comes out. Also worth mentioning is that with Apple's Mac Mini, you get the OS and a decent amount of software as part of the package. Yes, you can find many freeware equivalents for Windows (or even go with *NIX), but at present Apple certainly has the price and overall package advantage.
AOpen really needs more partners shipping pre-configured systems, and ideally, we would like to see something exactly like the unit that we're reviewing for around $650 (including Windows XP). A faster CPU really isn't a major concern, as the intended use (office/internet) works fine as is. What we want is some place where we can send mom, dad, grandma, grandpa, or whoever happens to ask, and they can buy a ready-to-run system and have it delivered within a week. This unit is more than capable of handling all of the usual office tasks, and it has the smallest footprint of any computer on the market. Plug in a nice LCD, connect your network, keyboard, and mouse, and it's ready to go.
We've mentioned laptops a couple times, but not everyone needs portability. Besides, typing on a laptop keyboard and using a trackpad isn't my ideal interface for computers. If you're planning on hooking up a regular keyboard and mouse to your laptop, and perhaps you'd like one of those 20 inch widescreen LCDs as well, it seems like this would be an interesting alternative. Most laptops only come with a VGA connection and sometimes TV-Out, so you do get DVI as well as Component support with the MiniPC, and that counts for a lot in the HTPC market. Get the Core Duo version and connect it to such a display, and you have a compact mini theater. That might be something for college dorm rooms. The enthusiast that has multiple PCs in the home might also find the MiniPC to be worth getting, if only for bragging rights.
Right now, it's difficult to say how successful this product will be. If the price were a bit lower, it becomes more attractive. If it's readily available as a pre-built system, that could help as well. It is a pretty fun toy to have around, and something of a conversation piece. However, where the Mac Mini is a great way for people to try out OS X at a lower price point, most people are already familiar with Windows XP and the final price is still more than a budget PC. The Mac Minis are also a more complete package, and since gaming - one of the few areas where OS X really falls short - is a non-issue on these systems, we would recommend the Apple units for the time being.
For those that really like super small computers and insist on a Windows OS, this product is certain to make them happy. For most other people, a Mac Mini, laptop, or regular SFF is probably a better alternative. If the MP945 can match Apple on price, though, it becomes a lot more viable.
The AOpen MiniPC leaves an overall mixed impression. On the one hand, it's fast enough for a lot of uses and it's extremely small. It definitely has the "cool factor" going for it - which isn't particularly surprising since it clones the Mac Mini. That's another potential point in its favor: it's faster than the older Mac Minis, and if you prefer Windows XP over Mac OS X, you really don't have many other options for ultra small computers. There are also more options available in terms of appearance and components for the MiniPC; with a Mac, you're often stuck with what Apple chooses to sell. That said, the new Mac Mini Core Duo at $800 is obviously the better bargain right now, and AOpen (and their partners) will need to look at matching the Mac Minis in price and features.
Another problem with the design is that it really is just a laptop without a screen and a keyboard, and it performs as you'd expect. Combine that with the fact that you can currently get a similarly equipped laptop for about the same price as the MiniPC, and it's difficult to see a large market for such a computer. Even if you're okay with the limitations, we'd recommend waiting for the Core Duo model instead of buying the current version, and it might be a few more months before that comes out. Also worth mentioning is that with Apple's Mac Mini, you get the OS and a decent amount of software as part of the package. Yes, you can find many freeware equivalents for Windows (or even go with *NIX), but at present Apple certainly has the price and overall package advantage.
AOpen really needs more partners shipping pre-configured systems, and ideally, we would like to see something exactly like the unit that we're reviewing for around $650 (including Windows XP). A faster CPU really isn't a major concern, as the intended use (office/internet) works fine as is. What we want is some place where we can send mom, dad, grandma, grandpa, or whoever happens to ask, and they can buy a ready-to-run system and have it delivered within a week. This unit is more than capable of handling all of the usual office tasks, and it has the smallest footprint of any computer on the market. Plug in a nice LCD, connect your network, keyboard, and mouse, and it's ready to go.
We've mentioned laptops a couple times, but not everyone needs portability. Besides, typing on a laptop keyboard and using a trackpad isn't my ideal interface for computers. If you're planning on hooking up a regular keyboard and mouse to your laptop, and perhaps you'd like one of those 20 inch widescreen LCDs as well, it seems like this would be an interesting alternative. Most laptops only come with a VGA connection and sometimes TV-Out, so you do get DVI as well as Component support with the MiniPC, and that counts for a lot in the HTPC market. Get the Core Duo version and connect it to such a display, and you have a compact mini theater. That might be something for college dorm rooms. The enthusiast that has multiple PCs in the home might also find the MiniPC to be worth getting, if only for bragging rights.
Right now, it's difficult to say how successful this product will be. If the price were a bit lower, it becomes more attractive. If it's readily available as a pre-built system, that could help as well. It is a pretty fun toy to have around, and something of a conversation piece. However, where the Mac Mini is a great way for people to try out OS X at a lower price point, most people are already familiar with Windows XP and the final price is still more than a budget PC. The Mac Minis are also a more complete package, and since gaming - one of the few areas where OS X really falls short - is a non-issue on these systems, we would recommend the Apple units for the time being.
For those that really like super small computers and insist on a Windows OS, this product is certain to make them happy. For most other people, a Mac Mini, laptop, or regular SFF is probably a better alternative. If the MP945 can match Apple on price, though, it becomes a lot more viable.
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bldckstark - Saturday, March 4, 2006 - link
Maybe lots and lots of people do care, but I couldn't give a crap less about what the back panel of any computer looks like. Maybe someone could tell me why they do.As for it not looking better, that would be a subjective opinion.
Snuffalufagus - Saturday, March 4, 2006 - link
Just for the sake of the 'Company that sucks' copied the 'company that had the idea first' argument, what, in a low profile box, of the same approximate dimensions, could they have done to make people not claim it was a duplicate? Change the color? Change the rubber foot pads? Revert back to PS2 connections? This idea that one company shouldn't build off the strengths found in another is stupid, and would ultimately lead to stagnation if no company learned from the mistakes and successes of another.Copying form doesn't really mean shit as far as one being better. Hell, I think the Mac Mini is a piece of crap due to it's lack of versatility, but now its being praised for that capability now that this new piece of crap is out (i.e. two vs. one mem slot).
FWIW - this wasn't purely a response to your post, it was just a covenient place to put the comment.
JarredWalton - Saturday, March 4, 2006 - link
I couldn't care less about copying. Whoever does it best gets my vote. The lack of versatility really isn't a major lack, though. The only things the MiniPC can't do are:1) Gaming (other than old games or 2D stuff)
2) High-end audio (without USB add-on)
3) TV Tuner stuff
4) High performance computing.
Most people don't need any of those things. Given that it's small, reasonably fast, and reasonably quiet (and all of the above pretty much applies to the Mac Minis as well), these things could be great for the less power hungry people.
Unfortunately, my mom still can't use a computer worth a darn, so reducing hardware complexity isn't going to help her with the software side. (And please don't bother suggesting OSX; she really is clueless about computers, and we're just happy when she can manage to read/write email!)
Herrterror - Friday, March 3, 2006 - link
yeah, poor Apple. They wanted to introduce Sloanism to the computer industry and ended up losing out to copycats.kmmatney - Friday, March 3, 2006 - link
The price of this has to be at least lower than a laptop. You can get a decent laptop for the same price, with a built-in LCD and Keyboard, and a lot more IO. You can still just hook up a Keyboard and Monitor with a laptop, as I do at work everyday, plus you get portability if you need it.JarredWalton - Saturday, March 4, 2006 - link
A few things laptops are generally lacking:1) DVI output
2) Component output
3) Anything more than 2.1 audio output
So, the HDTV connections of the MiniPC are definitely something to think about. Component out is probably the best way to guarantee a system can function as an HTPC (though the whole HDCP issue is looming on the horizon....) Also, these systems (Mac Mini/MiniPC) are both smaller than a laptop - why have a screen if you're not going to use it, right? But I do agree that the price needs to at least match an equivalent laptop.
WhoBeDaPlaya - Monday, March 6, 2006 - link
The Audigy 2 ZS PCMCIA has #3 covered ;)Been using it with my trusty 'ol eMachines m6805 since late 2004.
Snuffalufagus - Friday, March 3, 2006 - link
but fill a particular niche market that's appealing for certain applications.joey2264 - Friday, March 3, 2006 - link
I was just thinking ... what if they did an end run around apple by making this a dvr? Apple's stupid allegiance with the content providers practically guarantees they will never put out a true dvr, but aopen obviously has no such qualms. They need to make a version with core duo, decent tv tuner built-in(preferably ati 550 pro if that was possible), 2 ram slots, at least 4 usb ports, and spdif (basically the same ports as the mac mini + a tv in).How cool would that be? It might even put the pressure on apple to produce a dvr of their own.
joey2264 - Friday, March 3, 2006 - link
I think the key thing here, the reason why Apple can charge such a low price, is because you are not paying for the os with the mac mini. This price advantage does not factor itself into every other Apple product, because of Apple's crazy profit margins. But this is the one product where they are willing to make little to no profit, and so, who whodathunkit, they are price competitive. If only they would take a similar strategy (although obviously not to this extreme) with their other products).The only way the wintel world could compete is if Microsoft designed a mini pc of their own, or gave it away to an extra special favorite manufacturer of theirs.