MinipcDuo
Latest
AOpen intros Santa Rosa-based miniPC Duo
Given all the buzz surrounding Intel's new Santa Rosa platforms for laptops, it seemed like it was only a matter of time before some company would get the bright idea of re-purposing it for use in a pint-sized desktop PC. From the looks of it, AOpen is the first to go that route (though we somehow doubt it'll be the last), recently introducing its Santa Rosa-based miniPC Duo MP965-VDR. While complete specs are still a bit light, you can expect much of what we've been seeing in Santa Rosa laptops as of late, including Intel's 965GM chipset, support for the latest Core 2 Duo processors, 802.11n WiFi, and an Intel Turbo Memory cache card to speed things up a bit further. Still no word on pricing or availability, unfortunately, though we wouldn't expect AOpen to hold out too much longer on that.[Via 64-Bit Computers]
AOpen's MP945-VDR miniPC gets Vistad
AOpen's miniPC has come a long way since their first-gen crack at a miniature PC. The new MP945-VDR miniPC Duo builds upon the MP945-VXR platform by slamming the Vista OS, dual-channel DDR2 memory (4GB max), 6x USB 2.0 ports, and a beefier power supply into an all black chassis. Otherwise, nothing else has changed -- choice of Core 2 Duo procs, DVI and S/PDIF digital out, gigabit Ethernet, 802.11 b/g WiFi(optional), Bluetooth (optional), integrated Intel GMA 950 graphics, a mini PCI slot, DVD±RW optical drive, and choice of 2.5-inch SATA disk -- which isn't a bad thing.[Via Impress]
AOpen MiniPC Duo MP945-V reviewed
CNET put AOpen's MiniPC Duo MP945-V through their usual tough testing regimen and came away mightily impressed, saying it's "the clone that comes closest to the nearly flawless Mac Mini." They especially dug the speedy Core Duo processor, multiple video output options, and the fact that it's not much bigger than a Mini. On the downside, at $899 it's more expensive than a Mini, it only has two USB ports, doesn't have a remote control, and doesn't include much bundled software. They also list the fact that it's bring your own keyboard, mouse and monitor as a negative, although that apparently isn't a problem for the "nearly flawless" Mac Mini. Go fig.
