yowkee essential

Here’s the Mac Mini looks-alike MiniPC. More interesting, it is pre-installed with Linux by default. The Linux distribution came with it is Linspire, which claimed to be The World’s Easiest Desktop Linux.

It’s an interesting way AOpen approachs the mini-size desktop market. But why do they do that? Mac Mini might have some success, and that probably make some PC users wish they could have such a mini sized and cute PC at their desktop too (or laptop?). Is it the only reason Mac Mini making successful sales? I don’t think so. What Apple selling is the superb feel-good consumer experience —- a combination of great looking, cute Mac Mini with Mac OS X, and even their other product lines (iPod, high quality monitor…etc). An only look-alike PC might not replicate the same success sales on market. Moreover, what market are they targeting for? If it’s loaded with Linux by default, would normal PC users buy the idea? Would Linux hackers feel cool to get a cute looking cube but suffering lower performance (which they could get higher specification with lower price).

MiniPC is going to ship with price starting US399 (Linux) and US499 (Windows). Yes, it did come with Windows pre-loaded. It is in a more or less same pricing range with Mac Mini. On the other hand, small form factor PC has long been every where ever since Mac Mini out in the market. I don’t think PC users would be so excited then about a Mac Mini “replica”.

I just couldn’t agree to such an marketing idea.