Mac Mini Rip-off

Tuesday, May. 31 2005 | Author: jeremy

No, that isn’t a Mac Mini. It is a new computer from AOpen called “Pandora”. It is based on Intel’s Pentium M processor, which was previously only used in mobile computers. It was unveiled at Computex 2005 and is slated for release in September of 2005.

I wonder how they avoided a lawsuit from Apple. Surely they have some sort of patent on that form.

Category: Gadgets

7 Responses for "Mac Mini Rip-off"

Jemaleddin

May 31st, 2005 at 1:41 pm
1

I wouldn’t be so sure they won’t get sued - the images were just released today, and I’ll bet that if Apple’s lawyers have a C&D at AOpen’s door by 5:00, they get a bonus.
erixer

May 31st, 2005 at 2:40 pm
2

Oh yeah, real slick. Putting in your refferal link. Any one want a Mac Mini?
John J.

May 31st, 2005 at 2:55 pm
3

Moble Pentiums and desktops are not a new thing, there are a couple of boards and even a socket adapter floating around… from what I hear they make pretty powerfull little low noise systems.
cliche

May 31st, 2005 at 3:43 pm
4

I’m not sure if they can be sued for the design. Even if Apple has a copyright of the Mini design, AOpen can argue that the Mini design isn’t substantial or creative enough to be protected by copyright law–and it often works for such simple design. If that fails, they can then argue that their own design is different enough from the Mini: There aren’t *that* many alternative shapes available for a tiny pc. Can a small metal box with a slot for cd really be copying someone?

Similarly, Mac Mini isn’t really a box full of innovation to begin with. Tiny PCs were around before (http://www.cappuccinopc.com/cappuccino.asp). OSX for $500 is the biggest, and perhaps the only selling point over other pcs.
Griffith

June 1st, 2005 at 4:44 am
5

Words fail me.
freddy

June 2nd, 2005 at 3:10 am
6

so sad jeremy.. still haven’t gotten your mac mini this way huh?!
Matt Galaviz

June 2nd, 2005 at 1:30 pm
7

I was going to say, that’s like Dell suing people because they have a black tower for their desktop. Personally, I like the mini, but if I wanted a powerful pc and the ability to upgrade any component, I wouldn’t get something so compact.