Still mean the Mac mini ’s not a safe time value compare to budget PCs ? If you desire to compare Apples to , well , apples , you might want to have a look atAopen’snew MiniPC , once it ’s unveiled tomorrow at the Intel Developer ’s Forum in San Francisco , Calif.

In 2005 AOpen generated stake when it unveiled its MiniPC , a Pentium - based Windows - compatible personal computer computing machine with a stunningly similar design as Apple ’s Mac miniskirt . Now AOpen is countering Apple ’s Intel Mac mini introduction with its new MiniPC , the MP945 . It costs a bit more , but variation some features the new Mac miniskirt does n’t have .

AOpen said the newfangled MiniPC will be uncommitted in two configurations , a single - inwardness MP945 theoretical account for $ 699 and a dual - meat MP945 - quintuplet model for $ 899 — $ 100 more than Apple ’s offer . The computer is based on Intel ’s 945GM nitty-gritty logic — the same Apple uses in the Mac mini — and houses a Pentium M socket that can take over either Core Solo or Core Duo processors . The organisation ’s graphics speedup come from the same desegregate Intel GMA 950 potato chip that the Mac mini uses .

The MP945 still sport a Mac mini - like word form factor , valuate 6 x 6 inches , and shares many common characteristic with the Mac mini — Digital Visual Interface ( DVI ) , Gigabit Ethernet , one-armed bandit - loading visual drive , audio in and an infrared remote control interface .

The new example also has a mini PCI expansion porthole and an S - Video interface build in , two amenities Apple does n’t offer on the Mac mini . Apple offer a $ 19DVI to Video Adapterfor substance abuser who desire to connect their Mac mini to a tv set stage set or rest home theater system .

AOpen plans to formally introduce the new PC on Tuesday at the Intel Developer ’s Forum in San Francisco , Calif.

Architectural similarties aside , the large difference is seeming once you turn the MiniPC on : It comes equip with Microsoft ’s Windows Media Center Edition .