“AOpen has announced prices and a ship date for its ‘Pandora’ box, the Intel-based clone of the Apple Mac mini,” Mark Hachman reports for ExtremeTech.
“The Pandora will be sold as a complete system, according to a note from the OEM that was sent to reporters this week. The Pandora will sell for an estimated price of $499 for a Windows-based configuration, and $399 for one configured around Linux. Systems will be available by Christmas, the company said,” Hachman reports.
Full article here.
MacDailyNews Note: From a press release issued by AOpen earlier this year: AOpen’s Mini PC is powered by Intel Pentium M processors with built-in DVD-RW and 2.5-inch hard drive. 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. More info in related articles below.
Advertisement: The new Mac Mini. Still starting at $499. Free shipping from The Apple Store.
Related MacDailyNews articles:
AOpen Mac mini look-alike to be named ‘Mini PC’ – June 03, 2005
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
Jeff writes: “Very interesting. I was waiting for an Intel based Mac mini so I could use it as a server. But I planned on putting Debian Linux on it. So this interests me tremendously. Sorry but I prefer Linux to OS X for servers.”
To each their own, but this is a little like trading a $100 bill for a $10. Linux is the Windoze of the Unix world. BSD for servers, Linux for toasters or other exotic hardware that BSD doesn’t run on.
One thing you might want to consider is that Apple keeps up with security advisories, and makes it very easy to update your software. I’ve decided to move from OpenBSD to MacOS X for my server because of this. While OpenBSD is arguably the most secure server platform known to mankind, updates are more troublesome than MacOS X. Nothing beats MacOS X for ease of updating, IMO. Even the most secure OS isn’t secure if you don’t keep it up-to-date with the latest security fixes. Servers need to be kept secure.
“Not similar?
What are you smoking??
Apple legal is going to be all over these guys like water on a fish!
I seriously doubt the version shown will ever see the light of day.”
Why, rolleyes? Similar yes, but stealing anything that could be patented or copyrighted, no.
Wanna see what windoze machines will be like in a few years? Look at a Mac today.
Let me see if I can get the name right…
Open Pandora’s box?
Let me try that again..
AOpen Pandora box?
Somebody had to be a genius to name a machine after the cause of all the trouble in the world.
I’m sure their next machine will be called Virus.
Brein writes: Somebody had to be a genius to name a machine after the cause of all the trouble in the world. I’m sure their next machine will be called Virus.
Yes followed by the update Pestilence! Windoze users have that already and are into their advanced stages of rotting away.
Though the Mini lacks a digital output, spdif or optical out this is the main reason for me holding out on buying the Mini for my home theatre for watching dvd movies. Not that I’d get the Pestilence from Pandora by AOpen instead for my theatre, no way!
I am ever hopeful Apple will announce at Macworld San Francisco a new Mini with digital audio out. Remember it is taking this long to make addtions such as this to the Mini because Apple designed the Mini to be the cheapest route to the Mac platform after years of complaints for being too expensive.
Apple never thought the Mini would make an excellent DVR/server. Not a difficult fix to enable greater use of the Mini in this respect.
C’mon Apple please add an optical out socket!!
And again, the peecee world is watching the Apple tail-lights…!
Now Apple, put the hardware and OS into these designs that will smoke all the competition once and for all…
DO for the computer market what you have done to the music player market. Then we’ll REALLY have the last laugh.
clone: a microcomputer designed to simulate exactly the operation of another
This computer besides the outside is in now way a clone of the mini. It is a rip off of the mini. It doesnt run the Mac OS. I think its a disservice to the mini to say this is a clone. Wannabe, counterfeit, rip off, imitation any of these would be suitable.
Firt off, anyone else notice that the entire top of this POS is perforated. Must have some heat issues.
I also don’t understand how anyone would consider this (or a mac mini) for a server or entertainment center. In most cases, a 2.5 inch 5400 RPM drive is useless for these purposes.
Dude, Apple needs to get their own Intel-based Mac minis out ASAP…
so these would be the same thing AFTER you remove all of the software that comes bundled with OS X. This should put the “more expensive: myth to bed once and for all. Now you have identical hardware and the price difference is negligible and the value difference is obvious – even to crazy people like sputnik.
I also oneself something would want to find out on this theme. Very attentively I will read every post…. http://www.agdrtv.com/