Almost three months ago, we heard of the next-gen AOpen MiniPC that promises to have its loud fan problem fixed. Today, AOpen officially announced this new MP945-VXR model, which sports a sleek black finish. Nice try to stay ahead of Apple, which seems to have taken on an interest in black even since the iPod 5th Gen.

The 16.5 x 16.5cm footprint MiniPC will feature a Core Duo processor, running Intel’s 945GM integrated chipset, together with Gigabit Ethernet, DVI output, Firewire, SATA hard drive, slot-loading DVD writer, 5.1 channel audio, built-in mic and Windows XP Media Center Edition.

The sad news is it’ll no longer be priced like the $500 first generation MiniPC. This one will carry a MSRP of €749 (~US$960).

Here’s a clever way to hide your Mac Mini behind any computer LCD monitors that has 100mm or 75mm mounting holes found at the back (most do). Not that the Mac Mini isn’t pretty, but the MiniHitch holder sure helps free up some desk space.

Notice the iSight mounted beside? That’s with the CamHitch, another holder that cleverly mounts the iSight on your LCD monitor.

Both products are made of clear acrylic, and they are available from Compwave at $49.95 for the MiniHitch and $15.95 for the CamHitch.

I’m guilty of being one of those who waved Peter Green away, the guy who created the Mac Mini Portable MkI two months ago. Well, mainly because it looks like crap. And it still does with MkII.

The mod allows Peter to turn his Mac Mini into a portable notebook-wannabe. It packs a nice 3 hours of Li-ion power, an 8-inch TFT display, a trackpad, a really small keyboard, speakers, dual display support and an USB hub. It is supposedly lighter than a 14-inch iBook as well.

So why feature MkII now? Well, because I’m beginning to recognize Peter’s efforts. He probably knew it looks like crap, and he’ll probably never bring it out his house. But he probably enjoyed doing it anyway. That’s the spirit I like! Furthermore, I believe some of you might actually find it totally awesome.