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

[Kaido]

It's official, the 1-terabyte Samsung mSATA SSD is available: (currently $526.82 shipped)

http://www.amazon.com/Samsung-MZ-MTE...dp/B00HWHVNUU/

The 2.5" 1TB model is also available: ($459 shipped)

http://www.amazon.com/Samsung-Electr.../dp/B00E3W16OU

So the mSATA version is about a $60 premium over the regular model, but both are still amazingly cheap for what you get! I'd love to slap both of those in an i7 BRIX Pro:

http://www.amazon.com/Gigabyte-GB-BX...dp/B00HWP6CMG/

 

[Kaido]

Guys the i5 nuc is $329 on amazon right now!

I've had a really good experience with the Haswell i5 NUC & BRIX models. The BRIX is my go-to box because it includes the Wifi card & I only have to purchase one video adapter for it (I usually set these up with dual HDMI monitors). My work clients REALLY like them - no noise & super fast = awesome!

 

[finbarqs]

okay, I was able to stream to my gen 1 ipad, and my iphone 4s through plex, same video, external USB 3.0 HDD without any hiccups. (to see if it would be a trancoding issue). Everything else would strictly be network!

 

[Kaido]

BRIX i5 Haswell got a 6.6 on the Windows rating scale (240gb Mushkin mSATA + 16GB RAM). The BIOS update procedure is archaic; they're not even using Qflash. Good tutorial here:

http://www.gigabytenordic.com/wordpress/update-bios-gigabyte-brix/

Basically prep a USB stick with an HP USB program along with some win98 boot files, then copy over a few BIOS files from Gigabyte's ZIP package for whichever system you're using. Just updated to F5 on my latest unit.

 

[alaricljs]

Or if you want a smoother option than hunting down HPs utils... yumi can be used to install FreeDOS onto a stick.

 

[you2]

It seems that now you can boot linux (work around the usb3 issue) on asus chrombox:
http://www.wiselyguide.com/asus-chromebox-has-full-linux-support/
--
better link:
http://www.deconetworks.com/chromebox-full-linux-desktop/

 

[Kaido]

New one out from Gigabyte:

http://www.gigabyte.com/products/product-page.aspx?pid=5038#ov

* 4.3w (!) 22nm Celeron N2807 (dual-core1.58ghz + 2.16ghz turbo)
* Dual displays via HDMI + VGA (VGA & headphone jack on the side...)
* (2) USB 2.0 ports (rear), (1) USB 3.0 port (front)
* 2.5" 9.5mm SATA2 (yes, 3Gbps)
* Max 8GB RAM (Intel says the CPU only supports 4GB?)

This is not 4K capable (1080p on HDMI, 2560x1600 on VGA oddly enough). It is apparently fanless: (no active cooling elements)

http://techreport.com/news/26484/bay-trail-brix-has-dual-cores-no-fans

More pics:

http://liliputing.com/2014/05/gigabyte-launches-brix-mini-pc-4-3w-celeron-bay-trail-cpu.html

Intel's version is selling for under $150 online; I don't see a price yet for the GB-BXBT-2807 here, but I'd imagine it would be around the same figure.

 

[EliteRetard]

Now who's gonna build a tiny custom PC with the OC Pentium and a 750ti?

 

[Kaido]

Now who's gonna build a tiny custom PC with the OC Pentium and a 750ti?

Daddy needs a Steambox :awe:

 

[you2]

One vendor has the GB-BXBT-2807 for $159. The intel version retail price is listed as $129. There is a slightly faster version (N2820) for $139 @ newegg (not sure if it is fanless). There is the asus chromebook for $169 (but it has some ram/tiny ssd).

 

[imaheadcase]

Maybe i'm missing something, but how does one remote desktop into the NUC with two win 8.1 machines? I have the NUC as a XBMC running, but can't get it to work from this machine. I thought it was as simple as enabling remote desktop but network won't find that PC, even though it shows up. I know its setup right on network because it updates XBMC and can use SABnzbd with it. (don't want to run downstairs every time i want to update an app on pc).

 

[cnjmorris]

I'm not by any means a pro but first thing that comes to mind is... have you set up a Homegroup?

 

[alaricljs]

Just FYI - that's the first thing I don't do... ever. So that's not it

Check the firewall, I don't know how enabling RDP interacts with that as it's another thing I shut off.

 

[av911]

Maybe i'm missing something, but how does one remote desktop into the NUC with two win 8.1 machines? I have the NUC as a XBMC running, but can't get it to work from this machine. I thought it was as simple as enabling remote desktop but network won't find that PC, even though it shows up. I know its setup right on network because it updates XBMC and can use SABnzbd with it. (don't want to run downstairs every time i want to update an app on pc).

Try typing in the IP address instead of the computer name in RDC.

 

[Nunya]

Check the firewall, I don't know how enabling RDP interacts with that as it's another thing I shut off.

This, most likely. Open port 3389.

 

[imaheadcase]

Try typing in the IP address instead of the computer name in RDC.

Still nothing. Not sure what is going on. No problems with connecting to WHS with remote desktop. Perhaps win 8 to win 8 is different somehow and does not use remote desktop?

 

[av911]

Still nothing. Not sure what is going on. No problems with connecting to WHS with remote desktop. Perhaps win 8 to win 8 is different somehow and does not use remote desktop?

Can you ping to it? Do a traceroute, too.

 

[you2]

Ok advice folks why get the n2820 nuc over the asus chromebox. What am I missing. It seems to me the chrombox is the better deal esp given that the processor (I *THINK*) is 30% faster (celeron vs atom).

 

[ponyo]

Ok advice folks why get the n2820 nuc over the asus chromebox. What am I missing. It seems to me the chrombox is the better deal esp given that the processor (I *THINK*) is 30% faster (celeron vs atom).

If you want to run Windows. N2830 is also fanless and draws less power.

 

[Kaido]

Still nothing. Not sure what is going on. No problems with connecting to WHS with remote desktop. Perhaps win 8 to win 8 is different somehow and does not use remote desktop?

Just to verify, do you have it turned on?

http://www.guidingtech.com/13469/how-to-enable-remote-desktop-in-windows-8/

It should look like this:

http://www.guidingtech.com/assets/postimages/2012/07/allow-on-this-computer.png

Make sure the computer isn't setup to go to sleep or hibernate. If you're still having issues, just throw VNC on it:

http://www.tightvnc.com/

Also, are you running any security software - antivirus, firewall, etc.?

 

[Kaido]

Ok advice folks why get the n2820 nuc over the asus chromebox. What am I missing. It seems to me the chrombox is the better deal esp given that the processor (I *THINK*) is 30% faster (celeron vs atom).

The Chromebox is all locked up; you can install whatever OS you want OOTB on the DN2820FYKH:

http://www.amazon.com/Intel-DN2820FY.../dp/B00HVKLSVC

For $135, it's a pretty good deal:

* Dual-core 2.13ghz Celeron
* Wifi card included
* Support for a standard 2.5" drive
* XBMC runs great on it (according to reviewers)

It's just hard to cost-justify that for most people, given the current laptop prices & the fact that you still need an OS license, a stick of RAM, plus peripherals (keyboard, mouse, monitor, speakers, etc.). For $249, you can get an entire 15" Toshiba laptop with all of that stuff built-in (including a Windows 8 license), plus the ability to hookup to a standard monitor or television via VGA or HDMI: (or DVI via adapter)

http://www.bestbuy.com/site/satellit...=1219116001209

* Dual-core 2.17ghz Celeron
* Wifi
* 500GB HDD
* DVD burner
* 4GB RAM
* Windows 8.1
* Card reader

Plus you essentially get a built-in UPS, built-in monitor, built-in keyboard, built-in mouse (trackpad), etc. A Windows 8 OEM license is $90-ish, a 4GB stick of RAM is $40, a 120gb 2.5" SATA HDD is $30, so you're already at nearly $300 just for a ready-to-run box without any peripherals, vs. a laptop that you can simply close the lid & then use an external monitor with, desktop-style.

 

[you2]

Just an FYI: The chromebox is NOT locked-up; there was an updated firmware that will now allow you to install windows or linux. As far as I can tell the processor is 30-40% faster and for $178 you get 2 gig of ram and 16GB ssd. Not a lot but enough for linux. Ub addition it has better port selection (hdmi and display port) which in theory means it could drive a 27 inch monitor (the n2820 only has 1080p hdmi). I am not claiming the chromebox is the better option but rather it is a question; what am I missing.

Btw your lik to best buy appears to be broken; but your point is taken for $100 more you get a display and dvd drive et all.

 

[Kaido]

Just an FYI: The chromebox is NOT locked-up; there was an updated firmware that will now allow you to install windows or linux. As far as I can tell the processor is 30-40% faster and for $178 you get 2 gig of ram and 16GB ssd. Not a lot but enough for linux. Ub addition it has better port selection (hdmi and display port) which in theory means it could drive a 27 inch monitor (the n2820 only has 1080p hdmi). I am not claiming the chromebox is the better option but rather it is a question; what am I missing.

Btw your lik to best buy appears to be broken; but your point is taken for $100 more you get a display and dvd drive et all.

Oh awesome, the last update I had read was that you had to do some workarounds, do you have a link for that? That's great news! Also interesting is the new HP Chromebox, which will have both a Celeron AND an i7 version: (estimated $200 & $600, respectively)

http://liliputing.com/2014/05/say-hello-hp-chromebox.html

Let's try a different link for the laptop, I think the forum filters chew it up sometimes:

http://www.bestbuy.com/site/satellit...6179&cp=1&lp=1

Edit: Nope, but here's the BB search information: Model: C55-A5105 SKU: 5236179

 

[Kaido]

The comments mention that the 2.5" NUCs should be capable of supporting 15mm drives:

https://communities.intel.com/community/itpeernetwork**************30/the-intel-nuc-haswell-is-here

Which would mean you can, in theory, install a $139 2TB internal drive:

http://www.amazon.com/Western-Digita.../dp/B00COFNBPA

Great for local storage (ex. mSATA boot SSD), HTPC, mini file server, etc.

 

[you2]

What I really want is a nuc or chrome box with 3320 or 1680; the n2820 and 2955u are less appealing. The reason I prefer the celeron 3320 over the I3 is price; and I might be mistaken but a snapdragon 805 is faster than a N2820 (and the associated gpu is 2 to 3x fsater than the gpu in a N2820). The 3320 uses more power than the 2955u but it is well below its rated 53watt; I suspect in most cases it uses less than 20watt.