MiniPC goes Core Duo with the LF800

Japanese consumers looking for yet another Mac mini-style PC will soon be able to pick up the LF800 from miniPC, which won't run as silently as the ED612E we recently saw from this same company, but delivers a much more impressive set of specs. Instead of that pokey 1.2GHz VIA Eden processor powering the last offering, this model throws down a Core Duo T2300, while also doubling the RAM to 512MB and jacking up the hard drive capacity from 40GB to 250GB. If that particular configuration doesn't suit your needs then you're in luck, because you can also pick up a bare bones model that includes integrated Intel graphics, a PCI-Express x16 slot, and CF reader, along with gigabit Ethernet, FireWire, USB 2.0, S/PDIF, and S-Video ports. Both the fully assembled rig as well as the DIY version will be available sometime this month, with the former going for around $1,080 and the latter priced just under $600.

[Via Impress]

[TeleCustom @ Jul 10th 2006 11:25AM]

The DIY version actually doesn't sound that bad. Can plug in a good graphics card, a gig of RAM, and a 300 gig hard drive and keep the price at or below $1000.

[Craig @ Jul 10th 2006 11:25AM]

I think I'll take the Mini over this, come on what is up with that fan on the top???

[KawF @ Jul 10th 2006 11:40AM]

So it's got about the same spec. or possibly worse than a mac mini for the same price. Obviously Macs are more expensive.

[iHateMacs(not really) @ Jul 10th 2006 11:48AM]

Mac Mini killa in da house!

[daschupa @ Jul 10th 2006 11:51AM]

Mac Mini-ish?!?! That thing looks like a fricking fusebox.

[Jake @ Jul 10th 2006 12:11PM]

So I'm guessing that anything with a cube shape resembles a Mac Mini? You know there were cases like that before the Mini came out, right?

[DustinTarditi @ Jul 10th 2006 1:12PM]

I'm not a Mac fan by any means, but I do like how easily you can fab (or buy) a DIN sleeve for it to use for ICE. This PC may be dual core, but it looks too big to put anywehere in the interior of your car... maybe the trunk like the old CD shuttles.

[strider_mt2k @ Jul 10th 2006 1:23PM]

I would like to put a cooling tower over that fan.

[blackout @ Jul 10th 2006 1:45PM]

i'm a mac fan, but this shows what can be done.
i like the specs.
although, bump that up to 500gb or even 750gb with perpendicular
2 or 4gb of ram in that...
and a 2.0 core duo
*droools*


now that would be heaven

[Spyvie @ Jul 10th 2006 2:26PM]

You guys do realize there were small form factor PCs before the Mac Mini right?

[Joseph @ Jul 10th 2006 2:29PM]

I think that this would be a great media pc that you could possibly embed into the wall, or something equally maniacal.

[Hammo @ Jul 10th 2006 2:31PM]

Yes, we do realise that there were SFF machines prior to the mini. Very few were as powerful and useful for the size.

[cm @ Jul 10th 2006 2:42PM]

Is it just me, or does that look like a nice black ATX power supply? Normally I think that would look ugly, but that's actually kinda a cool shape. I like the fan on the top.

[blackout @ Jul 10th 2006 4:12PM]

i was just thinking that


it looks like the psu for my windows box.

[JoeBob @ Jul 11th 2006 11:11AM]

Uh, for $1100 I can get a MacBook. For the cost of this Heath Kit look-a-like (boy, I just dated myself) with V/K/M I can get the MacBook and an external drive and a copy of Windows and Parallel. If I'm in a modification mood, I can always get a Mac Mini and toss in a Core Duo. And the software.

[Cliksingles.com @ Jul 11th 2006 3:28PM]

Hmmmm - sounds kinda like a macbook but with no LCD but it does have a slot for a better video card. Bought a macbook for the Wife last week - its a very nice laptop. We have bootcamp installed and XP Pro. As far as I can tell the latest WoW patch (1.11.1) under XP SP2 or 10.4.7 performs pretty much the same. Maybe a few FPS more under XP but basically 10-15 FPS inn SW and 15-30fps outside the cities. I imagine this PC with a better graphics adapter could be a nice gaming rig for LAN parties.