Intel NUC 4" x 4" micro-PC - $299 shipped (1.8ghz i3, motherboard, case, PSU)

[Aikouka]

Finally decided to buy a NUC, and I ended up going with the i3 Haswell model. Although, I decided to try and be crafty to make sure I'd get it before the weekend, but even though I placed my order fairly early in the afternoon (like I've done plenty of times in the past), it doesn't look like Newegg is going to ship it tonight. So, I'll have the NUC from Amazon with nothing to put in it.

Yeah, I'd kind of want an ethernet port on it. Irony in the "No HDMI" hot deals world... "No ethernet" is just about a deal breaker. Though I suppose I could live of Wifi since I haven't wired my house yet anyway... lol.

You could just use a USB-based Ethernet adapter. It may not be ideal, but it is a deal.

 

[SunnyD]

You could just use a USB-based Ethernet adapter. It may not be ideal, but it is a deal.

I would buy one just to get started, but since I just bought a car, kid is gonna get braces here in a week or so, and Xmas... I'm sort of tapped out at the moment for discretionary funds.

 

[Kaido]

I would buy one just to get started, but since I just bought a car, kid is gonna get braces here in a week or so, and Xmas... I'm sort of tapped out at the moment for discretionary funds.

I'd imagine we'll see a small pricedrop on the Haswell models when the 2.5" & Iris Pro NUCs come out too...

 

[pcmatt1024]

this thread deserves a birthday party next week

 

[Pheran]

this thread deserves a birthday party next week

It should also probably be moved to the SFF forum, it might have started as a hot deal but now it's just a good source of NUC info.

 

[Kaido]

this thread deserves a birthday party next week

Holy cow

 

[Kaido]

It should also probably be moved to the SFF forum, it might have started as a hot deal but now it's just a good source of NUC info.

Yeah. I'm thinking either move it, or I'll finish up the NUC Wiki over the holiday break & this can be a general discussion thread with pricing updates, since they do go on great sales from time to time (like the red-top Tbolt model for $170). It is getting a little huge for Hot Deals

 

[Aikouka]

I'd imagine we'll see a small pricedrop on the Haswell models when the 2.5" & Iris Pro NUCs come out too...

I don't see why they would though as I assume that those models would just be premium models -- especially with how expensive the HD 5200 graphics are!

 

[wb182]

the i3 Haswell Brix you have listed on the 1st page for $450 includes RAM, HDD, and Wifi.

True barebones is $299
http://www.amazon.com/Gigabyte-Bareb...d_sim_sbs_pc_1

 

[Kaido]

the i3 Haswell Brix you have listed on the 1st page for $450 includes RAM, HDD, and Wifi.

True barebones is $299
http://www.amazon.com/Gigabyte-Bareb...d_sim_sbs_pc_1

Something is weird here...my links are definitely showing a bundle now, and your link is showing up as a 3-pack:

http://i.imgur.com/qNu28Ze.jpg

Thanks for the heads up! Strange. Edit: Updated OP. I'm not sure if I've always been linking to the bundle or what. I thought I had the barebones, my apologies. Also, check out the review on the i3 Haswell BRIX:

it's good... but the previous generation is noticeable faster

I bought this one from another site, I already own the previous model gb-xm12-3227 which has a 3rd generation intel i3 3227 with 1.9 ghz and decided to buy a newer second unit, the GB BXI2-4010 which has an "updated" 4th generation Haswell 4010 rated at 1.7 ghz, but has now a dedicated audio output, 4 x USB3 and intel graphics 4400.

To be clear, I do not use it for gaming at most I edit pictures or convert audio files. Even though clock rates cannot be compared since they have different architectures, in most CPU benchmark websites the i3 3227 ranks consistently faster, but I thought I'd give it a chance since it might not be noticeable for everyday use... I WAS SO WRONG! For starters, it took the 3227 10.4 seconds to load windows 8.1 vs. 15 seconds with this newer model. The overall performance seemed noticeably slower on this new model.

To be fair, this newer model has a more quiet fan, better aluminium feel enclosure, extra USB ports, optical/analogue audio output and that's pretty much it. It comes with a Wifi / Bluetooth card, but it's performance is terrible! when downloading a file, my BT mouse will start to slow down.

Bottom line, get the older gb-xm12-3227, it clearly beats the GB-BXI3-4010, plus it's cheaper!

Also per my previous post with the listing of NUC models, there are 4 regular Haswell BRIX out now:

http://forums.anandtech.com/showpost.php?p=35729598&postcount=323

Edit: Wait, I was going to list them with links to Amazon, but it's showing more funky stuff now - a 2-pack of Celeron Haswell BRIX:

http://i.imgur.com/dxA5JzW.jpg

http://www.amazon.com/Gigabyte-Intel-Booksize-Barebone-System/dp/B00D19J53A/

I think we have a glitch in the matrix! Anyway, here are the 4 Haswell BRIX models from Gigabyte:

1. 1.4ghz Celeron: GB-BXCE-2955
2. 1.7ghz i3: GB-BXi3-4010
3. 1.6ghz i5: GB-BXi5-4200 (2.6ghz Turbo)
4. 1.8ghz i7: GB-BXi7-4500 (3.0ghz Turbo)

 

[ElFenix]

It comes with a Wifi / Bluetooth card, but it's performance is terrible! when downloading a file, my BT mouse will start to slow down.

i had an expensive logitech BT desktop set and noticed the mouse would die any time i was really using the wifi. problem turned out to be that they use the same band and the wifi was interfering with the BT. no real workaround.

 

[finbarqs]

any word on being a plex media server?

 

[Kaido]

any word on being a plex media server?

Sadly, still waiting on Mini-HDMI to HDMI cable. Cursed special plugs :biggrin:

 

[Kaido]

i had an expensive logitech BT desktop set and noticed the mouse would die any time i was really using the wifi. problem turned out to be that they use the same band and the wifi was interfering with the BT. no real workaround.

Well that makes two negative reports...bummer!

 

[ch33zw1z]

those Brix are looking pretty cool. I wish they had a non-wifi, but include a 64GB mSATA disk instead. I only need the wired

 

[AzNPinkTuv]

Mr Kaido the guru.

I got my thunderbolt edition i3 ivy bridge nuc and stuck in the internals i had laying around. Safe to say, plugged it into my receiver and have a new streaming machine + backup server. Wanted to thank you for that.

New question. I know theres monitors out there like the Gechic Onlap (AT did a review a year or so back). Essentially these are powered by USB but run off HDMI for video so its more like a real monitor. Long story short is I'm wondering if you know any other monitors like this? (USB powered and run off HDMI/MDP) because I'm thinking about building a very small nuc + monitor setup that would be both portable, light and easily moveable without clutter. Would be great because I can just leave one on the kitchen island for my parents and they could easily move it somewhere else while still having a desktop feel to it.

Thanks!

 

[EliteRetard]

Sadly, still waiting on Mini-HDMI to HDMI cable. Cursed special plugs :biggrin:

Use an adapter cable (not a hard adapter, to much stress on the small port). Specialty cables are a PITA and only work for the one specific use you bought them for. A week later when you need something else you've got to get a new cable. Example: Your TV has 2 HDMI inputs, one for the cable and one for your tablet, phone, laptop, USB MHL etc. So much easier to switch the small adapter cable on the dirt cheap long HDMI cable than futz around in the back of the TV trying to swap expensive long specialty cables.

I know you said mini but do you actually need micro?

 

[EliteRetard]

*snip*

...I'm thinking about building a very small nuc + monitor setup that would be both portable, light and easily moveable without clutter. Would be great because I can just leave one on the kitchen island for my parents and they could easily move it somewhere else while still having a desktop feel to it.

Thanks!

Better off with a budget laptop + SSD. The battery makes it easier to move without turning it off. 11-13" i3 for around 350$ and celeron/pentiums around 250$. With the RAM monitor and OS included its a better deal and a better option for around the kitchen.

 

[Ganeedi]

Marked for future reference!

Thanks...

 

[AzNPinkTuv]

Better off with a budget laptop + SSD. The battery makes it easier to move without turning it off. 11-13" i3 for around 350$ and celeron/pentiums around 250$. With the RAM monitor and OS included its a better deal and a better option for around the kitchen.

On one hand, I do very much agree, but I think its going to be one of those setups where you have the posibility of moving, but normally don't which makes the usb monitor + nuc arrangement attractive.

Anywho, if anyone knows anything like the GeChic but newer and better, i'd be much appreciative

 

[Kaido]

Use an adapter cable (not a hard adapter, to much stress on the small port). Specialty cables are a PITA and only work for the one specific use you bought them for. A week later when you need something else you've got to get a new cable. Example: Your TV has 2 HDMI inputs, one for the cable and one for your tablet, phone, laptop, USB MHL etc. So much easier to switch the small adapter cable on the dirt cheap long HDMI cable than futz around in the back of the TV trying to swap expensive long specialty cables.

I know you said mini but do you actually need micro?

Yes - Mini, not Micro:

http://www.intel.com/content/www/us/en/nuc/nuc-kit-d54250wyk.html

One mini DisplayPort 1.2 with audio support
One mini HDMI port 1.4a with audio support

I'm getting both the adapter + the Mini to Full cable because I want to test out multiple connection types (especially for the Thunderbolt & Mini-DisplayPort models, anxious to test those out!) - plus I have multiple versions coming in, so I can use them all!

 

[EliteRetard]

On one hand, I do very much agree, but I think its going to be one of those setups where you have the posibility of moving, but normally don't which makes the usb monitor + nuc arrangement attractive.

Anywho, if anyone knows anything like the GeChic but newer and better, i'd be much appreciative

Well I can tell you AOC has a newer USB 3.0 monitor with 75mm VESA mount:

http://www.amazon.com/AOC-e1659Fwu-1...6801799&sr=1-3

I still think a laptop would be better in this case, but I think this is your best option if you really want to go NUC.

 

[EliteRetard]

Yes - Mini, not Micro:

http://www.intel.com/content/www/us/en/nuc/nuc-kit-d54250wyk.html



I'm getting both the adapter + the Mini to Full cable because I want to test out multiple connection types (especially for the Thunderbolt & Mini-DisplayPort models, anxious to test those out!) - plus I have multiple versions coming in, so I can use them all!

I can do some browsing...have you checked monoprice for an adapter/cable?

 

[Kaido]

I can do some browsing...have you checked monoprice for an adapter/cable?

Yeah already have all of the cables & adapters in shipment :thumbsup:

 

[Kaido]

Better off with a budget laptop + SSD. The battery makes it easier to move without turning it off. 11-13" i3 for around 350$ and celeron/pentiums around 250$. With the RAM monitor and OS included its a better deal and a better option for around the kitchen.

I'm pretty happy with the $279 Lenovo I got for work:

http://forums.anandtech.com/showthread.php?t=2356480

USB to SATA adapter + USB to mSATA adapter + Macrium Reflect and I have a nice little portable cloning station. Amazing what you can get for the money now :thumbsup: