DigiTimes: The Mac mini is Built Like a Laptop

by , 1:20 PM EDT, August 11th, 2005

DigiTimes' Michael McManus reports that iSuppli Corp. has conducted what it calls a Teardown Analysis of Apple's Mac mini. After dissecting the computer, iSuppli announced that "Apple has borrowed many attributes of mobile PCs" to cram all of its functionality into a small form factor.

Aside from an external power supply, which is commonly found in laptops, the Mac mini also uses highly integrated semiconductors. In addition, its hard drive and optical drive are in a laptop form factor. Mr. McManus notes that iSuppli estimated the materials used in the Mac mini cost US$274.69, which increases to $283.37 when manufacturing costs are added. The company did not include shipping, marketing and other expenses in either of those figures.