is there a PC version of the mac mini

[TheSiege]

a mac mini would be perfect for a carPC if it had the support of a PC
so is there case's motherboards that small?
im aware of micro atx but the cases still seem cumbersome

any ideas

 

[stevf]

there are many options for this. there is a sff that is about the overall size and shape of the mac mini but cant remember who makes it. Probably a better choice are mini-itx sized boards. Most support the via c7 processor(x86, but very low power and slower performance) some mini-itx boards do support intel. there are cases for these motherboards that are designed for car use and are quite small.

 

[chcarnage]

AOpen makes a small case, but you could install XP on the (x86) Mac Minis, too.

 

[Schadenfroh]

Shuttle makes something like that, IIRC.

 

[TheSiege]

links?

 

[bluemax]

Originally posted by: Schadenfroh
Shuttle makes something like that, IIRC.

No - the Shuttle SFF's are 2-3x larger than the Mac mini (but with better expansion.)
There are a number of options (Aopen makes the nicest-looking one) but until they engineer one that will use a Conroe CPU, the mini is much more powerful with its Core Duo processor.

Of course, this is for a car PC, so power isn't your 1st priority anyways - running cool and stable is. The VIA platforms are slow in comparison but fine for movies and MP3's and definately run cool and stable!

 

[TheSiege]

movies, mp3, and gps. so no i dont need anything spectactular, just something small stable and cool (tempature wise)

 

[theknight571]

Something like THIS

I haven't looked at it... I just happened to remember seeing it before.

Can check out the LittlePC site too.

Core 2 Duo compatible

 

[Raider1284]

You could just buy a mac mini and install Windows XP, boot camp works quite well.

 

[piasabird]

A-Open sells a small version similar to it.

Go to www.newegg.com and you can browse through the available Barebones computers many of which are Shuttle and other brands like Asus or whatever that sell the smaller sized Computers. You dont have to buy from any given website if you just want to see what is out there. I just like all of the pictures at the site.

Some of these smaller boxed computers use a Pentium M to keep down the heat and make it possible to use a smaller CPU Cooler.

The smaller something like that is the less you want to be trying to work on it. It could be really hard to add extra memory to a small box like that.

 

[Juno]

mini-itx.com ?

 

[randomlinh]

Originally posted by: Raider1284
You could just buy a mac mini and install Windows XP, boot camp works quite well.

yes, but the OP may want something cheaper, may not need core duo... and well frankly, bootcamp is still beta 🙂

 

[bluemax]

The VIA platform isn't a great deal cheaper than a Mac mini......

I believe there's a site called CARPC which covers all you're after.

 

[kami333]

mp3car Everything you want to know about dealing with carpcs.

mini-itx will be your option, especially in terms of power