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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plinden - Friday, March 3, 2006 - link
Yeah, when are we getting the ability to edit our posts?siliconthoughts - Friday, March 3, 2006 - link
When a genuine mac mini costs less, is more upgradeable (dual core, 2 DDR slots, digital audio, WiFi, Bluetooth, 4 USB ports, faster graphics) comes with a nifty secure OS and includes a whole suite of apps, why would anyone buy this? XP just isn't that great that I'd spend a $300 premium for it on an inferior box.Googer - Friday, March 3, 2006 - link
These are nice, but It is my suspicion that a Turon in an Mini PC would be the faster choice.NegativeEntropy - Saturday, March 4, 2006 - link
Agreed -- a Turion "version" would be interesting. That said, I think this statement from the review could use a bit of modifying:"...if you really want low power, you can go with one of the Pentium M platforms. End of discussion. "Tech Report recently found that the Turion can compete pretty well with the PM on power consumption http://techreport.com/reviews/2006q1/pentiumm-vs-t...">http://techreport.com/reviews/2006q1/pentiumm-vs-t...
JarredWalton - Saturday, March 4, 2006 - link
This isn't meant as a far-reaching statement. What I'm talking about is small form factors, or systems that will compete with the MiniPC. Turion support on socket 754 platforms is lacking, meaning that there are boards that support it but there are definitely boards that won't support it. Most of the socket 754 small form factors are pretty old, so I don't know how many of them would support Turion.The article at Tech Report is interesting, but idle power draw is only half of the question. 94 W at full load really isn't that much better than the rest of the Athlon 64 line. I mean, the HP DX5150 with an old ClawHammer core running at 2.4 GHz is only about 20 W higher. If you were to use a 90 nm Athlon 64, that would cut off 10 W or so right there.
Basically, the Athlon 64 design is really good, and it doesn't require all that much power. However, it still can't really compete with the Pentium M. when you shift to laptops, the whole system probably doesn't consume more than 45 W, so 20 W more for the processor is a major deal. Using desktop systems to try and determine laptop suitability is definitely not the best way to go about it. Ideally, you would want identical laptops, with the only difference being motherboard, chipset, and memory. But that's a story for another day.
Googer - Friday, March 3, 2006 - link
I would love to see this Aopen MINI PC rebench marked with a Pentium M 733 or 753 Ultra Low Voltage Processor that has a Maximum of 5W TDP! I would love to see it compaired against the higher 27W TDP Pentium M 740 in both Power Consumtion and Application benchmarks.I bet that at full load the power usage on full load will drop from 38W (with 740) down to 16w and even lower at IDLE! (10W maybe?) With a processor like that this would be the perfect pc for those guys who like to intergrate computers with their cars. Bye bye VIA C3! (C3 Will have http://www.metku.net/index.html?sect=view&n=1&...">other uses though)
JarredWalton - Friday, March 3, 2006 - link
Actually, with the HDD and other components, the system is probably using around 18W for the system and 7 to 20W for the CPU. It might even be 20-22W for the system. Still, 38W at maximum load (i.e. HDD activity along with 100% CPU) is hardly going to tax a car, I don't think. (But I'm not a car A/V guy, so maybe I'm wrong.)michael2k - Friday, March 3, 2006 - link
You would think, with AOpen's resources, that the AOpen MiniPC would be cheaper than the more powerful and featureful Mac mini.What is AOpen doing that is making it more expensive? It's got an older chipset, slower CPU, less USB ports, no rewritable optical drive, no bluetooth, and no wireless networking.
It's an odd day when buying a Mac is cheaper AND more powerful.
Questar - Friday, March 3, 2006 - link
AOpen isn't isn't a computer manufacturer, they are a board maker. What could they do to bring down the price of a system?jconan - Friday, March 3, 2006 - link
It's the economy of scale! Apple definitely has this contract manufacturing capacity considering its hardware/software business as well as its distribution channels. AOpen is just a manufacturing firm and is not in the software business to install an in house OS and plus it doesn't have sufficient sales offices out in the distribution side to push its wares. They have to rely on major OEMs to buy in bulk quantity to leverage prices with them.