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Intel Preparing Release of Mac mini Look Alike
by , 3:15 AM EDT, May 31st, 2005
Intel is expected to release a prototype PC this week which looks similiar to the Apple Mac mini, a published reported said over the Memorial weekend.
Wired News reported Monday "working prototypes of the Mac mini look-alike running Microsoft Windows and based on Intel's Pentium M CPU have already been built by Taiwan-based PC maker AOpen, according to two sources in Taiwan's PC manufacturing industry who have seen them."
The sources also said a prototype was built at Intel's request, and that the Mac mini clone will be announced at the Computex trade show, which runs May 31 through June 4 in Taipei, Taiwan.
AOpen manufactures PC and components as a subsidiary of the Taiwanese corporation Wistron, and is affiliated with the giant Acer group.
The Mac mini was launched in January by Apple CEO and company co-founder Steve Jobs.
Analysts contacted for this story said they did not believe Intel will easily coattail on Apple's Mac mini success. "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," said IDC analyst Roger Kay.
Another problem with a Mac mini-like Windows PC: it's small size will limit expansion, something larger PC boxes have played up as a marketing plus over Macs like the Mac mini, eMac, and iMac.
Observer Comments
You can see some photos here:
http://www.silentpcreview.com/
Tue May 31, 2005 8:29 am Subject: "Pandora" ...looks like a mac mini....
As usual, the flood of imitators follows, but this is only a prototype. I'm sure the price point will take square aim at the sub six hundred dollar market. Too bad the OS cannot be "styled" with the security and usefulness of a Mac. On viewing the photos, I couldn't help but think this was the Mini's ugly clumsy cousin. Once again, they're on the hunt for the lowest common denominator (uninformed) consumer.
This box may not be bad for apple, as it is a clear nod to Apple's superior industrial design. This in some ways may work as advertising not unlike the kids who woke up Christmas morning and got a near-iPod. Everyone knows the original is the best. Apple may even have lead-time to strategize about how to use this oddly flattering development.
QuoteAnonymous wrote:
It's just a silver Mac Mini case with holes in the top. That's about as shameless and pathetic as eMachines' bootleg iMac.
Well, be fair. There are other differences. For example, it seems to be slightly BIGGER than the Mac Mini. That has to count as a difference, right?
Quotefartheststar wrote:QuoteGuest wrote:
That's about as shameless and pathetic as eMachines' bootleg iMac.
Hadn't heard of that. Anyone got some pics or links?
http://ascii24.com/news/i/topi/article/1999/08/20/604010-000.html
Tue May 31, 2005 12:44 pm Subject: Re: "Pandora" ...looks like a mac mini...
Quote
Thanks.
I don't know the language, but it does say "eMachines iMac, and "eOne".
Lol. And it's STILL ugly. It's all in the detail baby. I love the old iMac... but that eMachine one is not good lookin'.
Don't people get it that you can't just take Apple's design and just "sorta" get it right?
Tue May 31, 2005 10:28 pm Subject: Re: You might find Windoze inside... or worse.
Tue May 31, 2005 10:50 pm Subject: It's just a prototype …
QuoteGuest wrote:
"Top Xbox execs admitted that their goal was to make the Xbox 360 "look like it was designed by Sony... or Apple.""
Microsoft's coming out and saying they copy the competition?
It's always been true, but to actually admit it... What are they thinking?
haha. It certainly won't run like Sony or Apple. I recall that at one time they were waiting to announce the specs of the XBOX 360 until the PS3 announced its specs - and then they would put in a better this or a better that.
Well, from what I understand this didn't work and I guess they wanted to get a jump on Sales. But I hear that the specs (and the look) of the PS3 are going to be better than that of the Xbox 360.
So, while XBOX may have been superior to PS2 graphically, PS3 is going to beat XBOX 360 on graphics, games , gameplay, design, aesthetics, etc etc etc.
Wed Jun 01, 2005 8:01 pm Subject: Apple ought to sue.
If the final, released box looks like the one that's posted on silentpcreview, I think Apple may have grounds for a lawsuit. And before somebody groans about our litigious society, there is plenty of precedent for such a case. It's despicable to blatantly rip-off someone else's creations for profit. Not to mention LA-A-AME.
OR, maybe that's what the Apple/Intel pow-wow was about - licensing the Mac mini design in exchange for some Intel technology? Doesn't seem too likely. But if Apple decides to sue Intel for this plagiarism, it would put a damper on any future colaborations.
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