Looks like Gigabyte is taking the lead

[capeconsultant]

with small computers! Haswell! http://www.tomshardware.com/news/gigabyte-brix-haswell-htpc-mini-pc,24218.html

And they have a gaming version as well.

http://www.engadget.com/2013/09/12/gigabyte-brix-gaming-pc/

I am very very very interested in these new models!

Go Gigabyte!

 

[nForce2]

:thumbsup:

 

[dma0991]

Its too simple and boxy, not something I'd be happy to put on my desk. Can't help but feel that its design exudes an impression of being cheap compared to an Intel NUC with Haswell. Would be very interesting if Dell entered the NUC market with a shrinked version of a Dell Zino HD and upgraded internals.

 

[capeconsultant]

There are some others out there who make very cool cases in this form factor. Seems no one gets much publicity on these. Yet. Sorry, cannot remember the manufacturer therefore cannot find link.

here is one http://www.techpowerup.com/184979/akasa-also-shows-off-newton-nuc-cases-in-three-trims.html

and

http://www.xtremesystems.org/forums/showthread.php?286938-Your-Thoughts-On-a-New-NUC-Case

and

http://www.xtremesystems.org/forums/showthread.php?286938-Your-Thoughts-On-a-New-NUC-Case

I guess there is more action that I thought!

 

[dma0991]

Lian Li makes really pretty aluminum cases and that is no exception. I applaud them for trying out in the NUC market but I must point out some weaknesses. They make cases for NUC and not bundle the NUC and the case as a single package.

The market for NUC are mainstream users who are not technically skilled. Its aimed at users who just wants it to work discreetly(much like smartphones and tablets) and not worry too much about the internals.

To make matters worse, not many would be interested in getting an extra case when it already came in one. You don't see someone buying a new OEM desktop just to gut it out and place the components in an aftermarket case.

NUC certainly has a future(because I want one or a Mac Mini) in capturing users who only needs a small, low power and low maintenance desktop alternative. I just don't think it would do well by selling only the case; even more so if it already comes in one.

 

[capeconsultant]

I agree. Even I would not buy just a case here. All I want to do is snap in some RAM and an SSD and an OS.

But their case is a good one for value added resellers.

 

[nForce2]

There are some others out there who make very cool cases in this form factor. Seems no one gets much publicity on these.

To make matters worse, not many would be interested in getting an extra case when it already came in one. You don't see someone buying a new OEM desktop just to gut it out and place the components in an aftermarket case.

Yep, I think that's it. You can buy the bare case-less NUC motherboards from Newegg or Logic Supply, but they cost *MORE* than the equivalent NUC with a case does!

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16813121742
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16856102001
http://www.logicsupply.com/categories/motherboards/nuc

 

[cbn]

Yep, I think that's it. You can buy the bare case-less NUC motherboards from Newegg or Logic Supply, but they cost *MORE* than the equivalent NUC with a case does!

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16813121742
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16856102001
http://www.logicsupply.com/categories/motherboards/nuc

We need some aftermarket companies like ASUS, ECS, Biostar, MSI making NUC mainboards!