Apple Mini
A microcomputer is a standard desktop computer used at home and in business. The term minicomputer might be used in two completely different circumstances; either larger and more powerful than a microcomputer, or smaller and less powerful.
History
In late 1960s, engineers developed computers that could perform specific tasks for factories and businesses that had a much smaller footprint than mainframe computers. They called these machines minicomputers. Until recently, the term minicomputer represented a computer that was more powerful than a standard desktop, but smaller than a mainframe computer.
Trend
With the introduction of new technologies and reduction in footprint size of computer hardware, major PC manufacturers are offering minicomputer versions of their desktop and laptops (e.g. Mac Mini, Dell Studio Hybrid Mini and ASUS Eee Box Mini).
Advantages
The major advantages these new minicomputer machines have over their larger cousins is footprint size, weight and cost.
Disadvantage
The advantages listed above are not made without sacrifice; performance and storage is reduced along with footprint size.
Purchase
Ultimately it is up to you whether you should purchase a small footprint minicomputer. Even though you sacrifice performance for the smaller footprint size, most applications will run on them, and these machines are excellent for web browsing, email and standard word processing.
Tags: footprint size, more powerful, more powerful than, powerful than, sacrifice performance, smaller footprint, standard desktop