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Advice: Small Form Factor, Low Power, Windows 7

  • Thread starter Deleted member 233889
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Deleted member 233889

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I would like to replace my mother's ancient XP beast. I've looked at the Chromebox and some of the XI3 stuff but I'm curious as to what else is out there. I want the computer to have the smallest footprint as possible, size and power.

She intends to use it as she does now, mostly browsing and photo storage. Not interested in a laptop or tablet. She really likes sitting at her desk and using the computer. Just replaced the monitor a few months back.

Thoughts?
 
Mac Mini is probably the best value.

Intel NUC might work I suppose.
 
NUC is what I would go with, probably the celeron version for her uses, but two important questions to ask are: how much storage does it need, and does she need a disc drive?
 
450 said:
Mac Mini is probably the best value.

Intel NUC might work I suppose.
Click to expand...

Yeah. The Mini was my thought at first. Price is going to be a factor though. With W7 a Mini will crack a Grand? Last time I checked?
 
Last edited by a moderator:
Machupo said:
NUC is what I would go with, probably the celeron version for her uses, but two important questions to ask are: how much storage does it need, and does she need a disc drive?
Click to expand...

She'll never fill a 320. No need for a CD/DVD drive. Any companies that build out a fully assembled NUC?
 
Last edited by a moderator:
bmstrong said:
Yeah. The Mini was my thought at first. Price is going to be a factor though. With W7 a Mini will crack a Grand? Last time I checked?
Click to expand...

How?

The Mini is $575. http://www.amazon.com/Apple-MD387LL...=UTF8&qid=1369349397&sr=8-1&keywords=mac+mini

On the F/S boards here someone is selling one for $450-ish. Buy it and get Applecare for it.

http://www.evaluesoftware.com/index.php?l=product_detail&p=1958&gclid=CNe82J2orbcCFc0WMgodizgApw
$70 for W7

Not really a grand. Re-use mouse/kb/monitor/speakers.

Another thought:
http://www.microcenter.com/product/401378/Folio_13-1029wm_133_Ultrabook_Refurbished_-_Steel_Gray

A laptop with W7 installed already might make the most sense. It's low power, low cost, portable, and durable too!
 
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A laptop with W7 installed already might make the most sense. It's low power, low cost, portable, and durable too!

Agreed. I argued that as well. I lost.
 
bmstrong said:
She'll never fill a 320. No need for a CD/DVD drive. Any companies that build out a fully assembled NUC?
Click to expand...

Not that I know of (other than similar-type systems from Zotac, but they're bigger than NUCs). You can get an i3 (black top) NUC, a 240GB mSATA SSD, and 2x 4GB DDR3 SODIMMs for around $550 (with power cable, wifi card, etc) w/ prime shipping @ the Zon; pretty straightforward to put together :)

I've got one (albeit w/ a 128GB smart series SSD) serving as my HTPC/browsing computer right now.
 
Machupo said:
Not that I know of (other than similar-type systems from Zotac, but they're bigger than NUCs). You can get an i3 (black top) NUC, a 240GB mSATA SSD, and 2x 4GB DDR3 SODIMMs for around $550 (with power cable, wifi card, etc) w/ prime shipping @ the Zon; pretty straightforward to put together :)

I've got one (albeit w/ a 128GB smart series SSD) serving as my HTPC/browsing computer right now.
Click to expand...

You running 7 or 8 on it? Any heat concerns? I watched New Egg's unboxing and I'm a little concerned that they didn't make the vents a tad bigger. What do you pull in total watts all together?
 
It's running 7 w/ the standard goodies. Have had no issues with heat (haven't ever heard the fan, either). I haven't plugged it through a kill-a-watt, but the processor has a 17W max TDP, so I'm guessing that total system usage is probably south of 25-30W at full bore (Anand got just under 20W under x264 loading).
 
http://youtu.be/TKsYyXa_03o

Really looks like the NUC is what I'll build her. Thanks guys.

The real question is to wait a couple weeks for Haswell and the rumored i5/i7 NUC's to see if the i3 version gets a price drop? Or Memorial Day sales?
 
w/ prime shipping @ the Zon

You guys trust the Warehouse Deals section? Couple attractive mSATA prices at the 128/256. It's probably just a packaging ding, tear or munch?
 
I snagged 2x 256gb crucial m4's back in the day for $200 each (this was when they were ~$255 in the Hot|Deals section) through warehouse deals... no issues.
 
Machupo said:
I snagged 2x 256gb crucial m4's back in the day for $200 each (this was when they were ~$255 in the Hot|Deals section) through warehouse deals... no issues.
Click to expand...

Damn. Nice price.
 
Machupo said:
Not that I know of (other than similar-type systems from Zotac, but they're bigger than NUCs). You can get an i3 (black top) NUC, a 240GB mSATA SSD, and 2x 4GB DDR3 SODIMMs for around $550 (with power cable, wifi card, etc) w/ prime shipping @ the Zon; pretty straightforward to put together :)

I've got one (albeit w/ a 128GB smart series SSD) serving as my HTPC/browsing computer right now.
Click to expand...

What size monitor/HDTV do you have it plugged into? I'm thinking I could kill two birds with one stone by combining their den old HDTV with the NUC. The only catch, again, is space. It cannot be bigger than 24. Thoughts?
 
Now that it's the production HTPC, I've got it plugged into a 40" HDTV (VESA mounted via adapters); back when it was DEV, it was on my 30" monitor (just on the desk).
 
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