New fanless mini pc I3 $155 shipped

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Forums › Bargains and Deals › New fanless mini pc I3 $155 shipped

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#1594484 18-Jul-2016 13:48

I used to use a notebook with Kodi and used a wireless mouse. Had a keyboard as well but didn't really use it.

Currently using google cast and phone. Not too bad a solution to getting images/vids on to the TV.

meesham

973 posts

Ultimate Geek

#1594501 18-Jul-2016 14:21

I have one of these, I bought it about 2 years ago for US$165 (back when the exchange rate was much better!) It's a nice little unit and runs Kodi well, 1080p x264 was no problem and menu navigation was fast. I was originally going to put it in the bedroom but didn't end up buying a second TV so I now run pfsense on it. It'll be interesting to see what the speeds are like once I get gigabit fibre connected but local testing suggests I should be able to put around 800Mb/s through it (with snort running). They run very cool, the entire thing is metal and connects to the CPU to dissipate the heat. I'm not sure if the unit you linked is the same but the only annoying thing (and it's very, very minor) is they mounted the motherboard on to the top of the unit so it's upside down, whenever I plug a cable in I always do it the wrong way.

macuser

2120 posts

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#1595129 19-Jul-2016 16:32

lokhor:
Wouldn't a Core i3 be a lot better than an Atom that is in the Beelink BT3?

Not in the case of H265 decode as the i3 in this unit is missing the fixed function decoder that makes smooth H265 playback possible.

It depends on what you u want it for really.

richms

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#1595158 19-Jul-2016 17:12

Similar box from other places has dual Ethernet and dual HDMI which is infinitely more use than a VGA when I was looking to compare with others.

Richard rich.ms

Huntakillaz

268 posts

Ultimate Geek

#1595191 19-Jul-2016 17:53

Something like these?

Fanless Barebone i5 Mini PC Windows 10 Broadwell Intel Core i5 5257U 4K HTPC Graphics Iris 6100 Optical+2*Nics+2*HDMI+300M Wifi

richms

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#1595195 19-Jul-2016 18:23

Dont think the one I looked at had an optical and probably useless card reader on the front. But yeah the same stuff on the back

Richard rich.ms

Stan

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#1595313 19-Jul-2016 20:54

macuser:
lokhor:

Wouldn't a Core i3 be a lot better than an Atom that is in the Beelink BT3?

Not in the case of H265 decode as the i3 in this unit is missing the fixed function decoder that makes smooth H265 playback possible.

It depends on what you u want it for really.

Don't both use hybrid system to decode H265?

http://www.digitaltrends.com/computing/intel-gives-home-theater-enthusiasts-gift-h-265-vp9-hardware-decode-support/

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Huntakillaz

268 posts

Ultimate Geek

#1595366 19-Jul-2016 23:36

Techtablet review of one.

Intel i5 5257U Iris 6100 Fanless $293 Barebones Mini PC

Unboxing

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0dkL62oMHdI

Gaming, temps etc

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JE_jdpfeb70

Spong

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#1601659 31-Jul-2016 14:19

I ordered 2x of these Core i3-5005U mini-computers from Helor Cloud on AliExpress on the 16th and 17th July and they both arrived within 10-12 days. Interestingly the one that I used free China Post arrived faster than the one I paid US$7 for fast EMS delivery. A waste of money there. One of them arrived with a missing DC power connector for an external 2.5" SSD, so I've had to use an mSATA drive which is OK, but I won't be able to use a 2.5" SATA drive in future without some PC board surgery. These machines came without a stand, driver disk, warranty card or manual (not that they'd be any use). I'm currently doing battle with the seller for compensation for the missing SATA pwr socket, and they're playing hard ball. Otherwise, I've been very pleased with them. The AMI BIOS is comprehensive and they run very sweetly. Win7 is missing a lot of drivers but Win10 has everything covered. They run Kodi with a heap of add-ons very nicely. If anyone has some questions, feel free to ask. You can see the missing SATA power connector below the SATA port.

Mini PC Motherboard

Tivo upgrades to operate with the new OzTivo EPG, support and service. Over 400 performed here so far. See: www.hillcrest.net.nz

Huntakillaz

268 posts

Ultimate Geek

#1601940 31-Jul-2016 21:43

Is the bios UEFI?

What wireless card is it using?

I'm thinking of getting one but probably wait for ones with kaby lake cpu chipsets, hopefully by end of this year.

Spong

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#1601948 31-Jul-2016 22:04

Huntakillaz:

Is the bios UEFI?

What wireless card is it using?

I'm thinking of getting one but probably wait for ones with kaby lake cpu chipsets, hopefully by end of this year.

Yes, the BIOS is a UEFI 2.4 PI 1.3 dated 20/12/15, and Secure Boot is disabled by default but can be enabled.

The WiFi card is an Atheros AR9565 and appears to top out at 150Mb, but it does Bluetooth also.

Yes, it's still only a 5th Gen i3, but is far cheaper than a similar Intel NUC.

Tivo upgrades to operate with the new OzTivo EPG, support and service. Over 400 performed here so far. See: www.hillcrest.net.nz

ZollyMonsta

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#1601960 31-Jul-2016 22:37

Looks far superior to the crappy PiPos that were all the rage for a month or two

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richms

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#1601985 1-Aug-2016 04:48

Yeah but the pipo and other atoms have storage and ram supplied for about $100 bucks. This will be much faster and is expandable and has proper pcie storage and wifi. Not crap mmc and sdio based stuff like the tablet processor based ones.

This will also use a lot more power. Different products for different situations. I'm quite happy with my pipo and other mini PCs for just playing music on and watching the cameras etc but wouldn't ever use them for real work. I tried one for my ultimaker but it was so much slower to slice than my junk laptop even.

Richard rich.ms

Huntakillaz

268 posts

Ultimate Geek

#1602036 1-Aug-2016 08:33

Spong:

Huntakillaz:

Is the bios UEFI?

What wireless card is it using?

I'm thinking of getting one but probably wait for ones with kaby lake cpu chipsets, hopefully by end of this year.

Yes, the BIOS is a UEFI 2.4 PI 1.3 dated 20/12/15, and Secure Boot is disabled by default but can be enabled.

The WiFi card is an Atheros AR9565 and appears to top out at 150Mb, but it does Bluetooth also.

Yes, it's still only a 5th Gen i3, but is far cheaper than a similar Intel NUC.

How's the bios, it's featured like most decent motherboards or very limited/non existent with options like some crappy prebuilt laptops/desktops. screenshots if you can.

The Wireless card : http://www.aliexpress.com/store/product/Atheros-AR9565-802-11b-g-n-1x1-WiFi-Bluetooth-4-0-combination-adapter-690019-001-For/1179167_1879706925.html

Yeah it's the reason i'm looking at it a nice simple small replacement for my mid tower htpc that don't cost tonnes , though i'd prefer one with a single pcie x1/x4 slot so i can put my tv tuner card in.

Spong

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#1602271 1-Aug-2016 14:11

The UEFI BIOS is nothing like you'd see as dumbed down on many name brand laptops. It's more like you'd see on a decent motherboard, but text based, not graphical, and no settings for overclocking as you'd expect. It's not a gaming PC.

Yes, the standard wifi card is similar to one in your link.

I fitted an upgraded Intel dual band AC3160 Model 3160HMW WIFI/BT card that I had spare, and it works well with drivers built-in to Win10. You can pick these up for a song on eBay, e.g: http://www.ebay.com/itm/3160HMW-Wifi-Bluetooth-4-0-Dual-Band-Wireless-AC-7260-For-Intel-Dual-7260-CGYG-/381463464006?hash=item58d0fe8846:g:zBYAAOSwo0JWQg~y

Tivo upgrades to operate with the new OzTivo EPG, support and service. Over 400 performed here so far. See: www.hillcrest.net.nz

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