Aopen Pandora's box

Taiwanese computer maker AOpen is scheduled to release two versions of its Pandora desktop just in time for the holiday shopping season, the company said Thursday. The company said Apple Computer's Mac Mini inspired its latest desktop PC. Pandora is one of several 2-inch-tall computers being sold as home entertainment PCs.

A Linux-based version of the mini tower is expected to retail for US$399 (S$ 673.73 ) , while the Windows XP-based box will go for US$499 (S$ 842.59), the company said. Both are expected to be sold in the United States through an AOpen reseller.

	Looks like a Mac, thinks like a PC. (click for a larger image)

The Pandora device has a slot-load CD drive and a power button in the front, along with three USB ports, a keyboard hookup and a serial port in the back. The computer also has internal wireless networking connectors.

The Pandora's motherboards are based on Intel's latest Pentium D processors with 945G and 945P chipsets.

Although mini PCs have primarily caught on at business call centers and among enthusiasts who build their own machines, buyers have opened their wallets for small desktops from companies such as Shuttle Computer, which has an upcoming P2600 dual-core AMD Athlon box. Littlepc.com sells its Pentium 4-powered LPC-401X for US$1,095 (S$1848.96).

Where are the buttons? (click for a larger image)

The Mac Mini is a budget version of the Macintosh that debuted in January. The product, which does not come with a keyboard, mouse or monitor, was hailed at the time as the company's big foray into mass market desktop computers after focusing exclusively on luxury goods.

Almost immediately, Mac Mini knock-offs started appearing around the world, including a concept PC revealed by Intel at its Intel Developers Forum back in March.