The miniPCI slot comes pre-loaded with an 802.11b/g wireless networking card. An external dipole antenna connects directly to the miniPCI card with a specialized coaxial cable. There is room for a secondary antenna, but this space is not used.

With everything removed from the Aopen Mp945-VX system, we get a better sense for how tightly components are packed into this small book sized computer. The Aopen Mp945-VX is built like a notebook really. Note the connect at the upper left for the optical and hard drives.

At the back of the AOpen MP945-VX Mini PC we find all the various system connectors. The layout is essentially the same as with the MP915-B reviewed earlier.

Starting from the left there is the Kensington lock, 12V DC power connector, Digital DVI video output, video-output jack (S-video, composite, component), Gigabit LAN connector, two USB 2.0 ports, one IEEE 1394a port and a collection of audio inputs (SPDIF out, audio out and a microphone jack). The gold connector is for the integrate wireless 802.11a/b/g NIC. The system comes with all necessary connectors/cables including a DVI splitter cable with both DVI and analog video outputs (system does not support dual monitors though) and a component video output cable.

Next up, a look at the High Definition HTPC applications the AOpen MiniPC MP945-VX might be suited for, and the one big thing we really didn't like about this compact computer system.... hint, it's not the size.