Need a low end fanless PC

[heymrdj]

I'm trying to come up with a solution for a NFP bird rehabitation center that I volunteer with at times. They are notorious for PC's dieing because eventually fan blades cake up with dander. They currently use some ebay refurbished Windows XP Pentium D HP workstations. I'd like to make a recommendation for something newer with Windows 7. While they could get a cheap 150$ Dell with a Core 2 Duo and 7 64 bit already loaded, it'd meet the same fate I imagine, but it's certainly cheap and faster than what they currently have. Their requirements are basically web browsing, the silly little web game here and there, and ability to run Office. So basically 4GB of RAM is the only real requirement in there. So since I've never looked for a PC like that, any recommendations in the fanless world?

 

[cbrunny]

Sounds to me like they're in the market for a NUC, something like this: http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product...82E16856102035

Broadwell-Y is supposed to have fanless capability as well. Perhaps that will be more helpful.

 

[SithSolo1]

Though you didn't mention it I assume price is a major factor.

 

[slackerinabox]

Do they even need windows? A chromebox might work well

 

[VirtualLarry]

What about a Bay Trail rig, with passive cooling on the mobo, and an SSD?

 

[heymrdj]

Sounds to me like they're in the market for a NUC, something like this: http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product...82E16856102035

Broadwell-Y is supposed to have fanless capability as well. Perhaps that will be more helpful.

This looks interesting, I'll look more into these.

Though you didn't mention it I assume price is a major factor.

Price is a MAJOR factor, as all equipment has to come from donations. The 300$ mark would probably be best (system with all its internal parts, and an OS, no peripherals).

Do they even need windows? A chromebox might work well

Yes, they run several softwares for the cameras, editing the web page, and the state given database software for tracking the birds coming in and out ect.

 

[heymrdj]

What about a Bay Trail rig, with passive cooling on the mobo, and an SSD?

I think that it would come in very very pricey.

On a side note, is there any recommendation for adding filtering to say a dell? Obviously the chassis doesn't have filter slots, so it'd kind of have to be tied on...or somethiing. :hmm:

 

[dave_the_nerd]

Foxconn NanoPC.

 

[VirtualLarry]

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...&leaderboard=1

 

[NTMBK]

Zotac Zbox Pico might be what you need.

 

[Carson Dyle]

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...&leaderboard=1

That looks like a pretty good deal. Just add an operating system. Possible concerns would be whether or not they're still using PS/2 keyboards or mice, and whether they might need adapters for monitor connections. Is 32GB enough to install Windows 7 and some large applications? Hopefully, the bulk of their data is on a file server, so no additional storage would be needed.

If the organization is a non-profit, they may qualify for a discount from Microsoft on Windows licenses.

 

[TeknoBug]

Would love an i3 4010U fanless, or even the Celeron N2920 if that's possible (I know I see the N2807).

Well holy cow there's a N2930
http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16856107134&cm_re=n2930-_-56-107-134-_-Product

 

[Carson Dyle]

Would love an i3 4010U fanless, or even the Celeron N2920 if that's possible (I know I see the N2807).

Well holy cow there's a N2930
http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product...-134-_-Product

Or this N2930 ITX board ... Price wise, pretty close (I'd say both are badly overpriced). The OP isn't going to assemble a sub $300 system from either one.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16813153267

 

[you2]

The atom sucks; you should look for a celeron (2955u or better). IT has a fan but is dead silent and pretty darn cheap - the chromebox asus (if you can live with linux or chrome; windows will bump the price up a lot). Vaguely (but I cant' find it now) I thought I saw a fanless build with the 2955u. I really dislike the N2xxx chips.
--
Btw if the fans are caking up wouldn't a fanless system have heat issue due to sentiment on the chips ?

 

[gradoman]

The atom sucks; you should look for a celeron (2955u or better). IT has a fan but is dead silent and pretty darn cheap - the chromebox asus (if you can live with linux or chrome; windows will bump the price up a lot). Vaguely (but I cant' find it now) I thought I saw a fanless build with the 2955u. I really dislike the N2xxx chips.
--
Btw if the fans are caking up wouldn't a fanless system have heat issue due to sentiment on the chips ?

That bird dust will probably still have to be blown out, yeah, but there would be less since there isn't a fan to propel the dust into the case.

 

[dawza]

Another possibility would be something like the Shuttle DS 437, which you can find for <$210 shipped, e.g:

http://www.provantage.com/shuttle-ds437~7SHCO0JP.htm

You'd still need memory and an HDD/SSD + OS, but you get core components designed for 24/7 fanless operation and quite decent CPU performance. Having used/built Celeron 847 and Celeron 1037U systems, the latter is miles ahead of the former, and should be roughly in-line with the Q1900.

The main advantages with a preconfigured barebones are higher likelihood of reliable operation and expectations for reasonable operating temperatures. Note the thermals from this review:

http://www.madshrimps.be/articles/a...im-PC-with-Celeron-CPU-Review/7#axzz3CMOERONK

 

[Blue_Max]

The atom sucks; you should look for a celeron (2955u or better). IT has a fan but is dead silent and pretty darn cheap - the chromebox asus (if you can live with linux or chrome; windows will bump the price up a lot). Vaguely (but I cant' find it now) I thought I saw a fanless build with the 2955u. I really dislike the N2xxx chips.
--
Btw if the fans are caking up wouldn't a fanless system have heat issue due to sentiment on the chips ?

The IDEAL setup in a dirty environment is a SEALED BOX. 100% fanless, no ventilation required. Something where the case itself is metallic and acts as a heatsink (for what little heat a ULV processor and SSD make.)

"Bird dust" is mostly poop, so you really don't want that inside a computer... is it toxic to blow out? D:
A sealed unit will not be fast/fancy, but it'll never die from clogging. Never.

 

[curt_k]

The IDEAL setup in a dirty environment is a SEALED BOX. 100% fanless, no ventilation required. Something where the case itself is metallic and acts as a heatsink (for what little heat a ULV processor and SSD make.)

"Bird dust" is mostly poop, so you really don't want that inside a computer... is it toxic to blow out? D:
A sealed unit will not be fast/fancy, but it'll never die from clogging. Never.

These from Zotac look really nice. Fanless, SSD, 2 GB RAM (can take 8), Windows 8.1, low power draw, under $300. They have an AMD version as well.

Zotac ZBOX CI320 / Zotac ZBOX CA320

http://www.overstock.com/Electronics...1/product.html

 

[thecoolnessrune]

I'd recommend a fanless PC from Logic Supply like the DE3815TYKHE, which would run about $450 with Windows 7 Professional (there are volume discounts available).

For $100 more you could do a sealed unit like the ML310.

Pricier than the price you were looking for, but like Blue Max stated, I'd definitely recommend a fully sealed PC over an open fanless unit.

 

[you2]

I would try one of those first; they are both very slow (atom processor) and in default configuration they only have 2GB of memory (windows 7 + browser really demands 4+).
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Just my personal view but an atom and windows 7 is asking for misery.

I'd recommend a fanless PC from Logic Supply like the DE3815TYKHE, which would run about $450 with Windows 7 Professional (there are volume discounts available).

For $100 more you could do a sealed unit like the ML310.

Pricier than the price you were looking for, but like Blue Max stated, I'd definitely recommend a fully sealed PC over an open fanless unit.

 

[thecoolnessrune]

They are both Bay Trail based Atoms. keep in mind that Bay Trail is not even close to comparable to the Clover trail based units of yesteryear. Bay Trail can make a perfectly competent computer for the sorts of tasks they'll be using it for. Same with having 2GB of memory. They *could* do more, but we're talking about idling machines for a non profit group here. The HDD will be hurting performance more than anything else.

 

[monkeydelmagico]

At this budget a refurb or off-lease box with a couple cans of compressed air are your only bet.

 

[Raduque]

OP, have you considered a Windows tablet yet? You can get Bay Trail Atom-based ones on eBay for ~$200 all day long, just add a USB OTG/Power cable or breakout box and a MHL-HDMI adaptor to plug in a monitor and use a BT keyboard/mouse.

 

[shortylickens]

KVM, long cords. Put the computers in a sealed room.

 

[piasabird]

Maybe a tablet type computer would work better.