toggle

AAPL Stock: 562.29 ( -3.03 )

Epson takes on Mac mini

updated 09:45 am EST, Wed November 22, 2006

Epson takes on Mac mini


Epson has launched its Endeavor ST100 PC, an ultra-compact desktop that competes directly with Apple's Mac mini in terms of aesthetics and features. Epson's new system is slightly heavier than the Mac mini, but ships standard with a 2GHz Core 2 Duo processor and support for a 2.33GHz version of the chip. The system is customizable for storage and can ship with as little as 40GB or as much as 160GB of hard disk storage, according to Electronista. All models ship with DVD burners, include two front-mounted USB ports in addition to four at the rear, include a 56K modem as well as Ethernet connectivity, and offers built-in VGA display output. Epson is shipping its ST100 in Japan for $510 for the base configuration.


by MacNN Staff

print
email
(21)

TAGS :

 industry

Related Articles

Recent Articles

toggle

Comments

  1. appleisgreat

    Fresh-Faced Recruit

    Joined: Feb 2006

    0
    11/22, 10:04am | report spam | Reply |

    Doesn't look too bad.

    Of course it doesn't have Apple's attention to detail but, it's not all bad. I wonder why Dell and HP haven't came out with ultra compact PCs. I'm sure they can do it for a lower price than Apple since they use cheaper components and they likely wouldn't put much style and aesthetics into the design.

  1. Feathers

    Grizzled Veteran

    Joined: Oct 1999

    0
    11/22, 10:11am | report spam | Reply |

    as if!

    Apple didn't invent the compact PC so why is it always suggested that when a new windows based version comes out, it's somehow a response to the Mac Mini? Is this Steve's reality distortion field at work or is it just that MacNN are more than slightly divorced from reality?

  1. boazh

    Fresh-Faced Recruit

    Joined: Jul 2004

    0
    11/22, 10:12am | report spam | Reply |

    One other BIG difference

    It doesn't run OS X. Why would someone want to buy this ugly thing when you can get a Mac Mini that can run both OS X and M$ Windows?

  1. l008com

    Addicted to MacNN

    Joined: Jan 2000

    0
    11/22, 10:13am | report spam | Reply |

    Espon

    Since when does epson make computers? I thought they made printers.

  1. bobolicious

    Fresh-Faced Recruit

    Joined: Aug 2002

    0
    11/22, 10:20am | report spam | Reply |

    just when...

    ...my sense is apple may revamp the mini to the rumoured slightly larger format to hold a 3.5 inch drive with capacities to 500gb or more... iTV anyone?

  1. Elektrix

    Dedicated MacNNer

    Joined: Sep 2001

    0
    11/22, 10:45am | report spam | Reply |

    Actually......

    Correct me if I'm wrong, but it seems like Apple has historically been leading the way in the areas of compact PC design.

    The G4 Cube in 2000 predates Shuttle's first compact PC enclosure (which came out in 2001), for example.

    And the Mac mini definitely raised the bar in terms of what could be done with a compact PC design.

    Anyway, people aren't saying that EVERY compact PC is an Apple rip off or something.

    But it is not a reality distortion to look at some of these systems and say that they are clearly based on the Mac mini design, which the Endeavor does seem to be, at least in terms of basic form factor.

  1. Elektrix

    Dedicated MacNNer

    Joined: Sep 2001

    0
    11/22, 10:47am | report spam | Reply |

    Also....

    I didn't see anyone suggest it was a "response" to the Mac mini. The MacNN content simply says that it will compete directly with it, which is clearly a true case.

    But again, it isn't a stretch to say that the Endeavor here is a "response" to the Mac mini. It is pretty clear that it is; this doesn't have anything to do with who invented what, etc....... but that you would have to have an even bigger reality distortion field of your own if you think that Epson didn't have the Mac mini in mind when they put this Endeavor mini PC together.

  1. slider

    Mac Elite

    Joined: Oct 1999

    0
    11/22, 10:52am | report spam | Reply |

    RE: as If!

    I think the point here is its resemblance to the Mac Mini, not the hi-jacking of the non-apple concept of a compact PC. It's more about execution and not concept really. The Mac Mini design is simple, and affordable, compact, headless mac that has a lot of punch. The epson is copying this execution, and I think they captured the overall goal of the mini, small, cheap, unobtrusive.

  1. jscotta

    Fresh-Faced Recruit

    Joined: Jun 2002

    0
    11/22, 10:52am | report spam | Reply |

    RE: as if!

    Feathers:

    No. Apple did not invent the compact PC. Apple also did not invent the portable MP3 player. However, in both cases they have been far more successful than the others who might claim to have invented both those items. So when comparisons come up, it is usually to Apple's wildly successful products instead of to products that most people don't even know about.

    Then there is the small issue that this *is* a Macintosh site. Did you expect them to compare the new Epson, which also looks similar to the Mac mini, to a Dell?

  1. iSkippy

    Fresh-Faced Recruit

    Joined: Nov 2004

    0
    11/22, 12:09pm | report spam | Reply |

    Re: epson computers

    l008com: "Since when does epson make computers? I thought they made printers."

    When I was in high school, there was an Epson 386-based system whose sole purpose was scanning with a Logitech handheld scanner.

Show More Comments

Login Here

Not a member of the MacNN forums? Register now for free.

 
close
Photo
toggle

Network Headlines

toggle

Most Popular

MacNN Sponsor

Recent Reviews

iHome iW2 AirPlay speaker

iHome generally isn't known as a luxury brand when it comes to audio, but it is prolific -- the company's docks and speakers are every ...

Logitech Ultrathin Keyboard Cover

One of the iPad's main weaknesses has always been productivity. It's not a question of apps; while it has taken a little time for a na ...

Logitech UE Air Speaker

If maybe a little more slowly than Apple would like, AirPlay is becoming a staple of the wireless speaker market for iOS devices. The ...

toggle

Most Commented

 

Popular News