Intel and AOpen at the Computex Tradeshow in Taiwan showed off the Pandora concept design that's nothing short from a Mac Mini knock off. Think slot loading CD/DVD drive and a cube design that's about the size of a DVD case. Just swap out the "Apple white" with a brushed metal look, judging from this picture).

The secret behind Pandora is Intel's Pentium M processor, a low power chip that prevents the mini computer from hitting roadblocks with heat dissipation in such a tight housings. Add the Intel 915G chipset offering 7.1 surround sound and a slew of video technologies, and you have a device that's ready for the digital living room.

AOpen could bring the concept to market later this year. Depending on the price, Pandora could kill the market for the Mac Mini by bringing a small, low cost computer combined with the familiarity of Windows to the living room.

But with Pentium M currently selling in the high end business laptop computers and the relative high price that Microsoft charges for its Windows operating system, there is little chance that Apple has much to fear from Pandora any time soon.

Steve Jobs at the unveiling of the Mac Mini in January.

01 Jun 2005