Looking for tiny PC for basic duties

[jimbob200521]

I'm starting to look into a basic mini/tiny/small PC for basic home duties so I don't have to leave my big desktop rig (relative power hog) on all day every day for tasks as simple as checking email and streaming youtube. My requirements are pretty simple; it must be able to stream 1080p youtube, check email, and...well...umm...shop on newegg or amazon? Really, there aren't many requirements. I have some basic hardware to fill in a barebones PC if that turns out to be the best route. I've got some SO-DIMM DDR3 modules, an SSD, etc.

I've looked into this Gigabyte Brix unit and it seems to be fitted well for my needs and not a bad price. Any other suggestions for units to look into?

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produ...re=Gigabyte_J1900_Brix-_-56-164-024-_-Product

 

[Ken g6]

Based on the requirements of 1080p youtube, check email, shop on newegg or amazon, and minimizing power use, I think you want...a smartphone. :biggrin:

Do you want to stream to a larger display? You could get a ChromeCast.

 

[Binky]

Pretty much anything can do those tasks pretty easily. If you don't need windows, have you considered a chromebox? For simple needs it might work well.

 

[VirtualLarry]

That Brix J1900 unit is decent, I've recently purchased and am using three of them. Amazingly low power-consumption (according to AT review, < 6W idle, < 20W full load). A tad slower than my G1840 Haswell Celeron or my G4400 Skylake Pentium, but not un-usably slow.

I think it would be a fine choice, for a low-powered mini-PC.

Things to consider: Ubuntu-derived Linux distros freeze up on it, randomly.

It take 1.35V DDR3L SO-DIMMs. Make sure the ones you have are low-voltage (1.35V).

It runs pretty well with Win7 64-bit. Haven't tried Win10 on it, but there is a new BIOS (F8) for it, that mentions fixing Win10 freezes.

Edit: IF you would like something with a bit more "Pep" in it than a J1900 Atom CPU, then check out the "Onda M3" thread in the SFF sub-forum.

 

[jimbob200521]

Based on the requirements of 1080p youtube, check email, shop on newegg or amazon, and minimizing power use, I think you want...a smartphone. :biggrin:

Do you want to stream to a larger display? You could get a ChromeCast.

Chromecasts are out; the wife wants something that runs a comfortable, familiar Windows environment. I have a perfectly good Macbook sitting in the kitchen than can do all that is required but because it is 1) a Mac and 2) doesn't have a mouse, separate keyboard, (basically because it's a laptop) she won't use it. She'll power on the desktop and do her before work routine rather than open up the laptop and go.

Pretty much anything can do those tasks pretty easily. If you don't need windows, have you considered a chromebox? For simple needs it might work well.

See above, Windows is a must.

That Brix J1900 unit is decent, I've recently purchased and am using three of them. Amazingly low power-consumption (according to AT review, < 6W idle, < 20W full load). A tad slower than my G1840 Haswell Celeron or my G4400 Skylake Pentium, but not un-usably slow.

I think it would be a fine choice, for a low-powered mini-PC.

Things to consider: Ubuntu-derived Linux distros freeze up on it, randomly.

It take 1.35V DDR3L SO-DIMMs. Make sure the ones you have are low-voltage (1.35V).

It runs pretty well with Win7 64-bit. Haven't tried Win10 on it, but there is a new BIOS (F8) for it, that mentions fixing Win10 freezes.

Edit: IF you would like something with a bit more "Pep" in it than a J1900 Atom CPU, then check out the "Onda M3" thread in the SFF sub-forum.

I just noticed that, as well so I'll pretty much have to order memory then but at todays prices, that's not a big deal; it's not like I need a low power SSD :biggrin: As for OS, Windows 7 would be the go to for this setup. Basically I'm just looking for something that doesn't judder studder and hickup when trying to play a video or have multiple tabs open at once in Chrome (I usually have anywhere from 3 to 10 tabs open at once, most usually parked but still). I'm just trying to keep the price as low as possible since it won't be a "mission critical" setup or anything like that.

Edit: I'll say this for a point of reference: I have a 2.4ghz C2D Macbook that I do things with on a daily basis and I have no complaints (browsing, yotube, etc). Basically, as long as whatever we end up with performs similarly or better than it we will be fine.

 

[VirtualLarry]

Edit: I'll say this for a point of reference: I have a 2.4ghz C2D Macbook that I do things with on a daily basis and I have no complaints (browsing, yotube, etc). Basically, as long as whatever we end up with performs similarly or better than it we will be fine.

Well, the performance of the J1900 Atom is BELOW that of a 2.4Ghz C2D, at least in single-threaded speed.

http://www.cpubenchmark.net/compare.php?cmp[]=939&cmp[]=2131

 

[jimbob200521]

Well, the performance of the J1900 Atom is BELOW that of a 2.4Ghz C2D, at least in single-threaded speed.

http://www.cpubenchmark.net/compare.php?cmp[]=939&cmp[]=2131

Hmm interesting that such an "old" processor will still beat out a much more modern architecture. I'm wondering, though; while single threaded may be slower it does have double the cores and with the way current OS's handle multithreading, I would think that would balance out, no?

 

[VirtualLarry]

Hmm interesting that such an "old" processor will still beat out a much more modern architecture. I'm wondering, though; while single threaded may be slower it does have double the cores and with the way current OS's handle multithreading, I would think that would balance out, no?

Atom may be a bit more of a "modern" architecture, but it is primarily focused on power-saving. Whereas, Core2 and "Core" are performance-oriented.

And the slower quad being faster than the faster dual - depends on how the application is threaded. Chrome might possibly be, Firefox won't.

 

[nerp]

1. I love your wife.
2. Buy an Intel NUC.
3. My wife wants a ThinkPad.

 

[James7]

I also wants to buy a ThinkPad of the Lenovo company. It really a best i5 processor.

 

[boomerang]

Have you looked at the Kangaroo?

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16883722001

There are different versions so do a little research if it catches your eye.

 

[jaydee]

You can put something together around this:

MSI Cubi-005BUS
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16856167090

 

[piasabird]

A good computer should just go to sleep when you are not using it.