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Intel Flaunts Mac mini Knock-off

Posted by Zonk on from the when-you've-got-it dept.

Rollie Hawk writes "Remember how the Mac mini was designed by Apple to steal PC customers? Now Intel wants to steal them back. Adopting a shockingly similar lunch box shape and light-weight design, Intel's upcoming Mini PC features all the sleekness and portability (physical, that is) of the Mac mini with none of the Mac benefits. Well, at least it will probably have a faster processor. Now if only someone would make a Cobalt Qube knock-off for me."

11 of 1,092 comments (clear)

  1. I'm going to switch by SamSeaborn · · Score: 4, Interesting
    I'm a long-time PC user that's finally had enough. I'm switching to a Mac mini, but I'm waiting for the next hardware update (probably in August, I'm guessing?) and for Tiger to be released.

    Sam

    1. Re:I'm going to switch by TLSPRWR · · Score: 3, Interesting

      If you're a long time PC user, please make sure you spend some time doing real tasks on OS X before you consider switching. You'll save yourself a lot of time and money if you do.
      Here's my bias: I've used PCs since I was a young pup and have recently had to use some Macs for school work and presentations.
      Please note, the following is an opinion, based on personal experience. The usual Mac egotistic reply is not going to change my opinion, so please be insightful if you are going to reply. People always whine about their dislike of Windows, so don't flame me for a dislike of your prefered OS.
      Personally, I cannot stand the operating system. Unless you have a bunch of keyboard shortcuts memorized (-2 points for new users right there) and always have one hand on the keyboard, one on the mouse (please, no "where's the other hand" jokes), you lose a lot of efficiency. In Windows, everything's designed where it can pretty much be controlled by the mouse, with a need to sometimes use the keyboard for shortcuts or special functions, which I prefer. Keyboard shortcuts aren't bad, but I personally like being able to control from the mouse easily.
      The way OS X handles windows and programs is a lot different, and I find it uncomfortable. Everything is based off the "Finder" and.. I forget the name, but "Docking Station" is close enough. Docking Station is the closest you'll get to a task bar with a Quick Launch type thing taking up most of the space. The Finder is the closest you'll get to a start button. Growing up on PCs, this is awkward to switch to, especially since to use the Finder, you have to get back to the desktop (or use some hidden keyboard command, I dunno). Finding programs not on the desktop and not in the Quick launch part of the Docking Station, is slightly painful (akin having a shortcut to the "Program Files" folder in Windows to run all your programs).
      I love the software made by Apple. It's all pretty and can be efficient if you work with it a lot, but I just can't stand the OS. Apple used to be the industry leader, but nowadays PCs have caught up. There's no real reason to switch to a Mac unless you are really fed up with PC and want to try something different (which it sounds like you are).

      Again, please just make sure you really work with the OS before you switch. No sense in throwing $499 down on a machine you won't ever use. Again, this is all just my personal experience, and may not reflect your enjoyment of the OS. If I had grown up on Macintosh, perhaps my opinion would be different, but if you're not prepared to learn a completely different way of doing simple tasks then a Mac probably isn't right for you.

  2. Didn't people learn w/ the iMac? by hydroxy · · Score: 5, Interesting

    They always seem to want to copy what Apple does... but they muck it up and end up going nowhere with it. I would think that they would have learned after everyone and their mother tried to copy the iMac with no success.

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  3. Intel Repairs Segmentation Fault ? by ehack · · Score: 4, Interesting

    So far, Intel has enforced market segmentation: You could get a laptop *or* a space-heater. This model is an indication that laptop processors will now be allowed to trickle into the general market. Ipod sized servers and child-pizza sized desktop comps are well within Intel's ability - just look at the size of the "computer" in your laptop.

    Microsoft will doubtless resist the move: if it's not a "PC" then clients might not want "Windows", that clunky 19th century command center for a steam-powered computing box. Dell etc will also resist, because clients might get into the nasty habit of upgrading their CPUs only; even worse, some might dump laptops in favor of just taking their company "mini desktop" home in the backpack.

    Summary - the Mac mini has broken Apple's hi-price policy, but it has also broken many of the unwritten laws of the PC cartel. Clearly, a form factor who's time has come !

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  4. It's the operating system, stupid! by kajoob · · Score: 4, Interesting

    I was a Dos/Windows (then to some extent Linux) user my entire life. I now am the proud owner of a Mac Mini. I haven't booted into windows once since I got it. I got sick of all the viruses/spyware/malware in windows and the fact that , althought windows gets the job done, it's not enjoyable to use.

    I would have NEVER bought a mac had they not released the mini because I was not about to pay a premium for hardware when I don't do any graphic design work or play many games. So all these companies that are trying to release a Mac Mini killer are barking up the wrong tree when they just release a traditional pc with a small footprint. It's the operating system, stupid! I don't have an answer for them because I just don't think linux is ready for prime time yet, but I am evidence that people are ready for an alternative, but it has nothing to do with the fact that our computers are too big now. If apple had released a $499 machine that was the size of a G5 tower, I would have bought that as well.

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  5. Re:it's an empty case by johnpaul191 · · Score: 5, Interesting

    the current mini ITX board will not fit inside the Mac Mini's case if you are trying to get the same footprint.... remember when Kevin Rose from TechTV tried to put a windows running thing in the Mac Mini case? he used a pre-release nano-ITX mobo.
    This intel mockup is an empty plastic box with a wristwatch glued to the front. while Kevin could not fit in an optical drive, he got a lot farther than Intel did.
    on top of that the Mac Mini has some extra room and an unused internal firewire connection that this week sparked speculation of possible future revision, or that the rumored built in iPod dock was in the plans at some point.

    http://www.kevinrose.com/index.php/weblog/comments /project_mini_pc/

  6. Inspiration and Innovation by standards · · Score: 4, Interesting

    Sadly, it does seem to me that Apple is the only one out there that innovates and inspires.

    At one time, Compaq, Dell, and even Microsoft could be expected to innovate. Just look at the original Armada. Visual Basic 3.0. the Pre-inspiron laptops. Ya, they weren't the best products ever, but they were very innovative, industry-changing ideas at the time.

    Now they're just a slow evolution of an old idea. For people who don't like the press that Apple gets, and would like to see others garner some press time - well, what the hell has ANYONE in the industry done in the past 5 years?

    Intel does not need to inspire the industry with a Mac clone. The industry has seen it - and is merely betting that people won't switch.

    That's a good bet, but it shows me how much the PC industry has totally lost it's spark of innovation, despite loads of inspiration from a non-competitor.

  7. Intersting by SWTP_OS9 · · Score: 5, Interesting

    1) Imitation the sencerest form of flattery.

    2) Its not the power brick, powering this unit. But the cooling tower you also need to hang off of it! With the earplugs included in the box!

    3) Intel been doing this "odd shape case thing" for years and no one has coppied them yet. Remember the Aztec pyrimid? Uggly shape and colors.

    4) But Microsoft want to go to the "Teddybear" form factor case!
    http://abcnews.go.com/Technology/wireStory?id=5459 78&CMP=OTC-RSSFeeds0312/

    5) The "low heat" and also "low power" micro/Pico-ITX form factor MB are not made by Intel but are being driven by VIA CPU's and chipset!

    6) And is this from the same Intel that was hyping so much bleeding edge stuff, over the last few years. That after X months usually said we can't do it?

  8. Re:it's an empty case by Altus · · Score: 3, Interesting



    dont a lot of the mac desktops have internal firewire ports? Im pretty sure the G4 towers did although I am not sure about the G5. I wonder how much the presence of one really indicates that they intended to use it for an iPod doc.

    you do have to wonder why they would put one in the mini though. there is no hope of adding an internal firewire device.

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    "In America, first you get the sugar, then you get the power, then you get the women..." -H. Simpson

  9. Re:it's an empty case by Refrag · · Score: 3, Interesting

    Do you find the $999 iBook outrageously expensive? Most people find it gorgeous, but not expensive.

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  10. Salaries by simpl3x · · Score: 4, Interesting

    Ives likely makes more like three to five hundred thousand a year. He drives a Bentley...

    But custom as opposed to commodity parts cost quite a bit of coin. Of course, not the amount that would make up for a large cost diference, perhaps fifty bucks per. I remember going to the plant that produced the NeXT cube and well as Linn tonearms, and the mold was pretty amazing. The final piece also required custom finishing, as molds have seams, and Steve wanted a seamless design. The stuff is more costly than you think. Which is exactly why so few companies invest in the processes, people, and long term commitments to producing excellent design.