AOpen, a member company of the world’s leading IT products supplier Acer Group, drops one of its blockbusters – Mini PC — at Computex Taipei 2005.
Mini PC, a revolutionary IT products developed in cooperation with Intel Corp., proclaims the advent of the “miniaturized personal computing age”, according to Bernie Tsai, president of AOpen Inc.
“The launch of the unique Mini PC testifies the strong R&D capability of AOpen and demonstrates that the product development expertise of our company takes the leading position in the world,” Tsai elaborates.
“Because AOpen’s R&D strength has been recognized by Intel, AOpen was pin-pointed by Intel as a partner in the development of Mini PC,” Tsai explains.
“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.
“The significance is that Mini PC provides an ideal solution to Windows users aspiring miniaturized personal computing devices,” Cho adds.
AOpen’s Mini PC is powered by Intel Pentium M processors with built-in DVD-RW and 2.5-inch hard drive. Its power is the equivalent to that of a desktop PC, and meets the computing needs of most PC users.
The product is built with mini-PCI 804.11 a/b/g wireless communication module and Bluetooth support. It can also transfer data wirelessly to and from personal computing and communication devices such as PDA and smart phone.
The Mini PC also provides DVI, S-Video, and YPbPr connectors so that it can be connected to HDTV, plasma display monitor, large screen display panels, and high definition audio products. A user can turn the Mini PC into the control hub of a digital home entertainment center.
“AOpen’s R&D expertise has progressed from desktop platforms to small form factor platforms. Now AOpen takes a giant leap forward to develop consumer and ultra small form factor platforms,” says Tony Yang, marketing director of AOpen. “The development of Mini PC proves that the product strategy of AOpen goes in the right direction and AOpen has the capability to develop completely new platforms.”
Excerpts from press reports of Mini PC:
Intel Preparing Release of Mac mini Look Alike
by Staff, 3:15 AM EDT, May 31st, 2005
Intel is expected to release a prototype PC this week which looks similar to the Apple Mac mini, a published reported said over the Memorial weekend. A Mac mini look-alike is set to be unveiled at a trade show this week.
According to Wired, the Mac-mini wannabe uses Intel’s Pentium M CPU and is built by Taiwanese PC manufacturer AOpen – affiliated to Acer – at Intel’s request.
A prototype is currently being shown at the Computex trade show. The show runs until June 4.
Apple need not fear. Analysts don’t expect much consumer demand for the “clone”, writes Wired.
Fear not
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.
To suggest that the Mac mini should have a competitor in the Wintel market could be seen as ironic, considering that the Mac mini was designed to compete in exactly that market.
Intel first showed its tiny Concept Entertainment PC three months ago. At the time it said that it was “just a concept” and it is unlikely it would build such a device.
About AOpen
AOpen is a member company of the world’s leading IT products supplier Acer Group which has other frontrunning affiliates like Acer Inc., Wistron, BenQ, and AU Optronics. AOpen ranks as one of the top computer solutions and components suppliers in the world, offering micro barebone systems, notebook PCs, PC motherboards, imaging products, VGA/multimedia cards, keyboards, mice, optical storage devices, monitors, and a full range of computer components. With strong R&D and manufacturing experience, AOpen is aggressively expanding its market worldwide, offering local services, and providing 3C parts and components solutions for small, medium, and large businesses.
Press release link here.
Related MacDailyNews articles:
Intel’s prototype AOpen ‘Pandora’ ripoff of Apple’s Mac mini photos posted online – May 31, 2005
AOpen Mac mini look-alike unveiled; based on Intel Pentium M, runs Windows – May 30, 2005