If you’d like to have a small and compact desktop computer which will not need a lot of space, maybe you could consider buying the Mac mini. That would be a very cheap solution and you don’t have a screen yet. So the trick here is, to combine the iPad with the Mac mini to create a very compact desktop computer. A mouse and keyboard make the package complete. You’ll have a miniature computer with the functionality of Mac OSX and a touchscreen interface.
The video below shows how this can be done. The guy uses VNC to connect the iPad with the Mac mini. It’s not very quick, but it is working and there are not many troubles. It’s also possible to connect an iPhone or iPod touch with the Mac mini at the same time.
There’s one more thing you need and that’s a iPad stand. The picture shown at the top of this article shows it can be done (developed by iPad Unwired). One downside; the price. The new Mac mini costs $699. The cheapest iPad costs $499. Together with the necessary accessories the price could be at least $1300 to $1400. But at least you’ll have a very sleek and compact desktop alternative.
