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im searching a computer (x86) with similar dimensions of the mac mini, popular and with the posibility to install windows or linux. Is out there any good options? Thanks for any help!

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Are you looking for an all-in-one solution like the Mac Mini or do you want to build your own? – White Phoenix Nov 26 '11 at 22:42
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closed as not constructive by slhck, sblair, Journeyman Geek, nhinkle♦ Nov 27 '11 at 1:32

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I'm not sure I understand your question. What do you mean by "open"?

The Mac mini is open in the sense that it is based on standard hardware and a standard firmware (EFI). It runs all x86-based operating systems (as long as they support EFI in some form, i.e. it might not run OS/2) including Windows and Linux.

And it also fits your other requirements: it has similar dimensions to itself and is popular.

Please define "open".

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I can say from personal experience that Apple does not want you to open these things, and it's really easy to break components in them compared to machines from other vendors. (I'm pretty sure I permanently physically damaged mine simply by adding more RAM, though it still works well enough.) From that standpoint I think maybe a good candidate for "open" is "user-serviceable". – asveikau Nov 26 '11 at 23:33
I don't think by "open" he meant "without cover". However, I cannot find your experiences typical. I always found all Macs I owned to be particularly easy to open physically and to replace components. I have often added and replaced RAM to all my Macs and added or replaced disks. It was always considerably easier than in non-Apple PCs I had access to. – Andrew J. Brehm Nov 27 '11 at 14:20
@AndrewJ.Brehm: Particularly easy?? I recall replacing the RAM in the Core 2 Mac Minis requiring you to remove the cover, unscrewing the DVD unit, then removing the wires with springs attached to them to get to the RAM. And their cover was fun to pull off. People used butter knives, steak knives, plastic card, even a putty knife to pull it off. Even the old Dell Ultra small Optiplexes were easier to work on. – surfasb Nov 27 '11 at 20:29
@AndrewJ.Brehm - Have you tried it on a Mac Mini? I did so with a 2009 model. I had to open the thing with a pizza slicer, had to be extremely careful not to cut the wifi antenna and other tight cabling that was there without warning, and in the end a piece of plastic from the DIMM slot chipped off inserting the memory. As I say, they did not make it easy. – asveikau Nov 28 '11 at 16:38
I have a Mac Pro. What you describe seem to be the typical problems of installing anything in a very compact machine. Nevertheless, I still don't think the OP meant "open" in the sense of "easily opened physically". – Andrew J. Brehm Nov 29 '11 at 9:40
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up vote 1 down vote

There are several "mini" or "media" computers that have the same form factor as the mini, and can serve as a Windows or Linux machine. The Dell Zino comes to mind, if you're looking for a brand name.

If you're looking for an OEM system, search Newegg.com (or any other online store) for barebone or mini systems. These can start for less than $100, but you'll need to supply RAM, HD and any other peripherals.

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