MiniPCs

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This community is dedicated to small form-factor computers. It's a place for enthusiasts, hobbyists, and professionals to discuss mini PCs, share builds, ask for technical advice, and stay updated on the latest in compact computing technology.

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Fanless Intel N100 stick PC bundles Windows 11, 16GB RAM and 256GB eMMC into a tiny form factor (www.tomshardware.com)

submitted 5 months ago by [email protected] to c/[email protected]

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[–] [email protected] 27 points 5 months ago (3 children)

You usually don't need a PC that small. For this price ($250) you can just get a Beelink with a better CPU. Or an older model mini PC for $120.

Don't let these manufacturers convince you that you need their latest and greatest whatever.

[–] [email protected] 19 points 5 months ago (1 children)

I’m still buying the older NUCs on eBay for crazy cheap prices and slapping in new nvme drives which have been cheap along with cheap RAM. I end up with 32gb memory 1tb cluster nodes for like $175. Works great in the KVM, VMW, and HyperV lab deployments I need to test in my home labs. I will say that with the AV1 codec support this is interesting as a Jellyfin server though with connection to my NAS. It’s been tough getting cheaper codec capable CPUs.

[–] [email protected] 3 points 5 months ago (1 children)

What procs do they have?

[–] [email protected] 3 points 5 months ago (1 children)

Looks like you can get 8th gens for roughly that range.

[–] [email protected] 2 points 5 months ago

Thanks!

[–] [email protected] 7 points 5 months ago (1 children)

But the form factor is gorgeous!

That said, do you mind if I pick your brain as you appear to be quite learned on the subject. What do you think of these? https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B096FQGLDK

[–] [email protected] 6 points 5 months ago (3 children)

Compare the stats for the CPU, memory, and hard drive. Every one is slightly different, so I can't tell you what to get.

Form factor usually doesn't matter. You're not going to be looking at it all the time and showing it to people. It's a desktop.

They're trying to trick you into not just comparing the specs and deciding on price. Pick a decent brand so you know the chipset is good and just look at the stats.

[–] [email protected] 5 points 5 months ago

They’re not doing anything evil offering another form factor.

These may very likely not be desktops for some people. First thing I thought of is mounting one of these behind TV as a Plex server.

People can buy something they cooose to for the reason they choose to buy that thing.

[–] [email protected] 2 points 5 months ago

In my head, I just want something I can leave plugged in for a few years. Something that can run Linux comfortably and can let me check out new cool things and do the occasional photo edit. My phone is very much my primary computing device.

[–] [email protected] 1 points 3 months ago

Pick a decent brand so you know the chipset is good and just look at the stats.

Is Minisforum a good brand? Do they use quality parts in their miniPCs?

Thinking of picking up one of those for server duty.

[–] [email protected] 3 points 5 months ago

I like the idea of fanless because it's one less thing to fail. With an SSD, it means no moving parts.