Updated: AOpen MiniPC – Imitation is the Sincerest Form of Flattery

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.