Computer Hope

Other => Other => Topic started by: Geek-9pm on February 25, 2018, 02:16:03 PM

Title: Tiny Box PCs for 2018 with x86 CPU
Post by: Geek-9pm on February 25, 2018, 02:16:03 PM
Some of the itsy bitsy PC designs are based on ARM chips, which do not readx86 code. Some recent exceptions. But Intel has scaled down its CPU power use to allow makers to build some very small x86 devices  that require t an external monitor.

PC Mag did this bit:
https://www.pcmag.com/roundup/358859/the-best-windows-micro-desktops
The lump together all kinds of things. Some are the very small kind.
One is:
Quote
Intel Compute Stick CS125 Computer with Intel Atom x5 Processor and Windows 10 (
At about $130 it is both low-cost and low power with good performance.
They also  include the Raspberry Pi Zero, which is not a Intel CPU.  But at Amazon you can buy it for  $25. Huh? A $26 PC with Windows 10?  Hard to understand!

Now loansharking...  Got some videos:
https://wiki.ezvid.com/best-mini-personal-computers
The prices are all over the place.  One high end model goes for about $1800.  :o

If you want low price and high performance... Consider:
Z83-W Fanless Mini PC Desktop, Windows 10 64-bit Intel x5-Z8350 (Up To 1.92 GHz) HD Graphics, 2GB/ 32GB/ 4K/ 1000M LAN/ 2.4/5.8GHz WiFi/ BT 4.0 [Dual Output - VGA/HDMI]
Price:    $129.90  at Amazon
They say this unit has some good interface options.
It has VGA, HDMI, Ethernet and USB

Here's a report that claims they saw all of them.
10 Best Mini Pcs  (https://www.bestreviews.guide/mini-pcs)

Anybody here recently buy a mini PC box?
Was it one of these?
Title: Re: Tiny Box PCs for 2018 with x86 CPU
Post by: patio on February 25, 2018, 02:24:51 PM
Stop reading PCMag...willya ? ?
Title: Re: Tiny Box PCs for 2018 with x86 CPU
Post by: camerongray on February 25, 2018, 02:51:15 PM
I have one of the Z83 ones you mentioned mounted on the wall behind the TV in my bedroom (I was given it by a distributor to review on my YouTube channel).  It works fine as a "single use PC" - It's great if you just want to open up a video (either locally or in a browser) to watch it but I wouldn't want to be actively trying to work on it as loading web pages.etc can be somewhat sluggish.

(https://i.imgur.com/IyMfUv2.jpg)

Overall these things are fine in very niche settings (such as my case of mounting it behind a wall mounted TV where a regular desktop would be too large) but for a general purpose PC you'd be better off with a regular desktop/laptop (possibly refurbished if price is an issue).
Title: Re: Tiny Box PCs for 2018 with x86 CPU
Post by: Geek-9pm on February 25, 2018, 09:03:00 PM
Thanks for sharing.  :)
The CPU is an Intel Atom with very low power and four cores.
At 1.4 GHz is might seem a bit slow, but the power consumption is so low that a fan is not needed. Average power is about 2 watts. So you could leave it on as a 24/7 file server or something like that. It runs native 64 bit Windows 10.

Intel also makes a low power CPU named  Apollo Lake that is faster. However, it uses more power a costs a lot more.

Here is a the MINIX company. Trey sell directly using Amazon as the shipper.
http://www.minix.us/products.htm
The products are more for home theater users.
Kind of like a ROKU on steroids.  :)
Title: Re: Tiny Box PCs for 2018 with x86 CPU
Post by: Salmon Trout on February 26, 2018, 12:26:12 PM
you can buy it for  $25. Huh? A $26 PC with Windows 10?  Hard to understand!
Hard to understand how it went up in price by $1 between one sentence and the next. Better buy one quick!

That "Windows 10" is not PC type Windows 10. It is  "Windows 10 IoT Core" - a slimmed-down version of the OS aimed at Internet of Things (IoT) devices. It's not Windows as most people understand it. A fresh install of Windows 10 on the Raspberry Pi doesn't boot to the familiar Windows desktop. Instead, Windows 10 IoT Core will show users a single full-screen Universal Windows app. The system will only display the interface of a single app at a time. It will only run Universal Windows apps. 

Title: Re: Tiny Box PCs for 2018 with x86 CPU
Post by: Geek-9pm on February 26, 2018, 01:04:58 PM
It cages so fast.  :o
Windows 10 IoT Core

Windows 10 IoT Core Official Website ... - Microsoft Developer (https://developer.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/iot)
Quote
Bring the Internet of Things (IoT) to life with the power of Windows 10 IoT Core. If you're new to IoT Core, we'll help you get started. And if you're looking to bring a device to market, we'll show you how to commercialize it.
(https://az835927.vo.msecnd.net/sites/iot/Resources/images/get-started/Hackster_279x157.jpg)
(https://az835927.vo.msecnd.net/sites/iot/Resources/images/get-started/Azure_279x157.jpg)
(https://az835927.vo.msecnd.net/sites/iot/Resources/images/get-started/community_279x157.png)
(https://catalogstorageprod.blob.core.windows.net/devicecatalogimageserver/37ee00448f4f4b958fc72b12a98ede16_ml100g-31-industrial-fanless-nuc-in-hand.png)
MS could  have called it Windows 9 and a half?
Too much information.  :-[
Title: Re: Tiny Box PCs for 2018 with x86 CPU
Post by: DaveLembke on February 26, 2018, 01:33:16 PM
Impressive that its 2 watts of average power, but I know that there is a performance hit associated with that too.

I own 2 Intel Atom computers a single core with HT 1.66Ghz and a either dual core with HT acting like a quadcore or is a quadcore 1.66Ghz. The single core with HT acts like a dual core and runs on 13 watts as a Netbook. The other faster Atom consumes 24 watts and is a ITX board with passive heatsink.

I have been tempted to turn my netbook into a NAS, but i picked up a cheap router that has a NAS feature and going to see if that will address a large external hard drive via the USB connection or if its like others that are limited to FAT32 for 32GB