General Computer Thread

[Marc]

Nowadays there are a lot of mini PC's out there and they're pretty good actually, some more expensive ones are even decent gaming rigs.

Strix Halo waves hello

Okay probably not quite mini PC format if you compare it the N1xx/3xx based ones but still packing a lot of power in a small box.

Downside is we're at the point where if something goes wrong hardware wise there's little work around so you have to toss the lot.

This could could really bit down the track if you start getting faults with memory that's soldered the board.

Even before Strix Halo platform became a thing, it was some being done on laptops because it allowed the ram to be clocked at higher speeds that socketed. Apple was also doing it but that's well Apple.

 

[Santaman]

I have two rather cheap mini PC's Huidun H50, so indeed a N150 which is quite fast actually, it has 8GB RAM which is a SODIMM and a M2 SATA drive so again not top of the bill but it's not even running all that hot, it is quiet and even the amount of connectivity you get isn't bad for something 10x10x4CM, front has two USB 3 ports, at the back two USB 2.0, HDMI and Display Port, it has WiFi6 and a Gigabit Ethernet port.
I also have two refurb Dell 3060 Mini's they're older and have a i3 8100T, they're still very small but more full grown machines, you can actually use 2.5" SSD's if you like.

I can't say much about the reliability of the Huidun machines, so far they do seem to be quite okay, the ports feel like high quality parts and also the casing doesn't flex or make funny noises, they both run Linux Mint and they're fast enough to be a daily office/non gaming PC.
Same goes for the two 3060's capable enough to do normal work, in my case they both run Manjaro XFCE.

 

[Marc]

I have two rather cheap mini PC's Huidun H50, so indeed a N150 which is quite fast actually, it has 8GB RAM which is a SODIMM and a M2 SATA drive so again not top of the bill but it's not even running all that hot, it is quiet and even the amount of connectivity you get isn't bad for something 10x10x4CM, front has two USB 3 ports, at the back two USB 2.0, HDMI and Display Port, it has WiFi6 and a Gigabit Ethernet port.
I also have two refurb Dell 3060 Mini's they're older and have a i3 8100T, they're still very small but more full grown machines, you can actually use 2.5" SSD's if you like.

I can't say much about the reliability of the Huidun machines, so far they do seem to be quite okay, the ports feel like high quality parts and also the casing doesn't flex or make funny noises, they both run Linux Mint and they're fast enough to be a daily office/non gaming PC.
Same goes for the two 3060's capable enough to do normal work, in my case they both run Manjaro XFCE.

Sure the H50s are M.2 sata?

I've got a GMKTek with the N150 and it came with a NVMe drive (Lexar 256GB)

 

[Santaman]

Yes, this is a cost reduction thing, the H50 was only 169 Euro, heck, the two Dell 3060's I have also have a SATA m2 drive, of course these machines are a bit less modern.

 

[Marc]

Yes, this is a cost reduction thing, the H50 was only 169 Euro, heck, the two Dell 3060's I have also have a SATA m2 drive, of course these machines are a bit less modern.

I got my GMKtek in Sept 2024 and paid $CA198.99 (about 124 Euros) before tax.

 

[Santaman]

^^ Good price, I'm looking into buying more of those refurbs, if my Optiplex is any indication then they'll last me a looooong time, I mainly run Linux which is a lot leaner and faster than Windows 11.

 

[Marc]

^^ Good price, I'm looking into buying more of those refurbs, if my Optiplex is any indication then they'll last me a looooong time, I mainly run Linux which is a lot leaner and faster than Windows 11.

Not at that price now.

I needed to replace the fan and it as either take my chance with ali express or find a barebones unit (move the drive and ram which I upgrade to 16GB across) but what out there is a) DDR5 and b) a lot more expensive.

Fan was only $CA22

just had to pull the thing completely to bits to replace it.

Use it a as remote desktop terminal. Could be a bit lighter in the software department but I've always been more KDE than other desktop for years but with 16GB it's fine.

Off to the inlaws tomorrow for the long weekend and it will come with me. on the wifi at their place, connect VPN and I'm back where I left off. Firefox synch has it's uses but no enough for what I want.

 

[Kamen Rider Blade]

Spoiler: Cheap Audio Man - I'm Shocked! What is REALLY behind the CD Comeback!

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Thank goodness for T-Swift, she might be the reason why CD's come back along with K-Pop.
Taylor Swift sold 2 Million CD's in the US Alone in the modern day!
If that's what it takes to bring Audio CD's back, so be it.

CDs return to Christmas shopping lists as gen Z embrace ‘retro renaissance’

Now if we can revive Mini-Disc/Hi-MD properly, maybe even update it for the modern age.

 

[Marc]

Spoiler: Cheap Audio Man - I'm Shocked! What is REALLY behind the CD Comeback!

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Thank goodness for T-Swift, she might be the reason why CD's come back along with K-Pop.
Taylor Swift sold 2 Million CD's in the US Alone in the modern day!
If that's what it takes to bring Audio CD's back, so be it.

CDs return to Christmas shopping lists as gen Z embrace ‘retro renaissance’

Now if we can revive Mini-Disc/Hi-MD properly, maybe even update it for the modern age.

And this has what to do with thread subject?

 

[Kamen Rider Blade]

And this has what to do with thread subject?

As a slow way to inspire the next generation into being interested into Optical Discs.

Which is a critical source/medium for long-term off-line archival that is very much in risk of extinction.