AOpen MiniPC MP965-DR Small Form Factor Desktop PC

The Bottom Line
AOpen's MiniPC MP965-DR is a good option for those looking for a small desktop computer system for general purpose use. It's small size, quiet and energy efficient design allow it to be used in almost any environment. Those looking to use it for a home theater or gaming will definitely want to look at option small form factor options though.

Pros

* Extremely Small And Lightweight
* Low Power Consumption

Cons

* Limited Expansion
* Relies Solely on Notebook Components
* No TV Tuner Option

Description

* Intel Core 2 Duo T7300 Dual Core Mobile Processor
* 2GB PC2-53300 DDR2 Memory
* Toshiba 160GB 5400rpm 2.5" SATA Hard Drive
* 8x DVD+/-RW Dual Layer Slot Loading Burner
* Intel GMA 950 Integrated Graphics
* HDA Audio
* Gigabit Ethernet
* Four USB 2.0, 1 FireWire
* 6.5" x 6.5" x 2"
* Windows Vista Home Premium

Guide Review - AOpen MiniPC MP965-DR Small Form Factor Desktop PC

9/24/07 – The AOpen Mini PC MP965-DR is one of the smallest desktop systems available on the market. The reason that it is so small is that it is built from notebook components. This means that the performance is going to be less than that of a traditional desktop computer system and more on par with your average thin and light system. At least they are using the newer Intel Core 2 Duo processor lineup that uses the faster PC2-5300 DDR2 memory. On the plus side, if you are concerned about power consumption, the notebook components use much less power.

In order to fit in such a small package, the MP965-DR utilizes a slim notebook DVD burner as well as a 2.5” notebook hard drive. This limits the amount of storage available in the system and it is recommended that users select a larger 160GB hard drive with the 5400rpm spin rate. This will give the best overall performance from the system, but it still lacks compared to a desktop PC.

Don't expect much in terms of graphics with the MiniPC. AOpen has elected to use the Intel GMA 950 integrated graphics inside of the box. This means that it has very limited 3D capabilities and should not be considered for anyone looking at PC gaming even in a casual sense. This also highlights one of the issues with the expansion capabilities of the MP965-DR. Since it is so tightly integrated, there is no space for expansion beyond its limited number of USB and single FireWire ports.

One really disappointing aspect of the AOpen MP965-DR is the lack of an integrated TV tuner. This is an option with the kit itself, but it is not included as part of the system package. Users who want this feature must purchase and install it separately from the configuration tools.