Intel CEO offers $1M reward to challenge Mac mini
updated 04:40 pm EDT, Tue September 26, 2006
Intel Reward to Beat Mini
At the Intel Developer Forum in San Francisco today, Intel CEO Paul Otellini discussed the advancements in case design made possible by the lower power consumption of his company's Core processor. Smaller, more stylish PCs are needed to advance beyond the current standards of design, Otellini said. Notably, the Intel executive cited Apple's Mac product line as an example, allowing Apple senior VP Phil Schiller to make an unprecedented guest appearance during the Developer Forum keynote speech to explain how the Core architecture has helped Apple's design process. Otellini subsequently issued a challenge to other manufacturers: his company will offer a reward of $1 million to any manufacturer who develops a small, style-oriented PC using both Intel's Core chip and Viiv home theater technology. As described, the competition effectively asks system builders to compete against the compact, media-focused Mac mini, whose relatively unique construction already fits almost all the requirements of the contest except for the use of Windows XP Media Center. Companies have until the next Intel Developer Forum in March to create their finished designs, which will be judged by a group of computer and style experts based on the system's features and visual appeal.
