Everex gPC Mini - Almost perfect for XBMC?

majorheadache Wrote:+1 for little PC ideas!

Speaking of little ideas, I found a site that sells flash disk modules from 256MB to 8GB. A 2gig IDE model is only about 70 bucks. It looks to be about as big as your thumb (well, my thumb anyway) and plugs right into the IDE slot (SATA is available too). Does this seem like a good way to reduce boot times and eliminate HDD noise and power consumption (assuming you only need a streamer without storage)?

Would 2GB be enough for the OS and XBMC?

Yeah it should be enough. But to be sure you should remove as many packages as possible openoffice.org-* and gnome-game* and such takes a bit of space, those two take a 250mb I think.

Bah! what I did was buy a WD Passport portable USB drive. Cracked it open, pulled the SATA notebook drive out, and used that - plugs right into standard SATA connectors.

Not quiet enough? Too expensive? Okay fine - head for eBay and get a CF/IDE adapter. Here's one that just ended. These are DIRT cheap, use standard CHEAP C/F, and with a dual device you ought to be able to get a good bit more than 2Gigs on there without a second mortgage. I bought one of the single ones before I knew about the duals but have not yet tested it. IMO if you want low power and quiet this would be an excellent way to go and possibly cheaper than the store found earlier

I don't mind spending money but I'll go cheap when I can and these little CF things were kewl enough and cheap enough I bought one a few months ago without even a need. Maybe if we get XBMC cut down enough I'll put it to use!

Why not just net boot?

althekiller Wrote:Why not just net boot?

Can honestly say I've never tried that but might be interested if I could figure it out:o

Stealth Computer's LPC-450 and LPC-450PCI = VERY EXPENSIVE mini PCs
http://www.stealthcomputer.com

http://www.engadget.com/2007/05/26/steal...0-mini-pc/

Quote:Stealth Computer's LPC-450 mini PC

Itching for something to match real pretty with your $1,195 Stealth Computer keyboard? If so, the very same company has recently unveiled a miniature PC that costs just marginally more than the 'board itself, but the LPC-450 packs some pretty decent specs into a battle-ready 5.7- x 9.9- x 1.65-inch enclosure. The slightly unattractive case can pack a wide range of Intel's Core 2 Duo processors, up to 1GB of RAM, a DVD writer, between 80GB and 160GB of hard drive space (or an SSD for a serious upcharge), your choice of operating system, Intel's GMA950 integrated graphics set, gigabit Ethernet, and a plethora of ports including audio in / out, VGA out, a trio of USB 2.0 ports, RS232, FireWire, and even a parallel printer port for kickin' it like it's 1995. The case itself is said to be made of "rugged extruded aluminum," and the only fan noise should come from the one keeping the CPU from getting too toasty. Stealth's wee machine can be picked up now for just under $1,400 in the base configuration, but specing it out like you truly desire will push things quite a bit higher.

http://www.engadget.com/2008/02/26/steal...-pci-card/

Quote:Stealth's rugged LPC-450PCI Little PC makes room for PCI card


If Stealth Computer's LPC-450 was just a bit too diminutive for your tastes, you'll be thrilled to know that the latest flavor has been opened up a bit to make room for a PCI card of your choosing. As was the case with the LPC-350PCI Little PC, this iteration includes PCI expansion slot capability along with a Core 2 Duo processor and an anodized aluminum chassis that could probably be dropped from the rear of a moving truck sans issue. Additionally, you'll find Ethernet, USB (x3), FireWire, PS/2 mouse and keyboard connectors, a 160GB hard drive (or an SSD, if you choose) and an optional DVD burner to boot. Seems as if these are made to be customized, so feel free to give Stealth a ring if you're interested in claiming one as your own

Intel 775-socket but WAY TO EXPENSIVE!

...and ugly too...
The Aopen minipc that you linked to, Gamester17, is still on top on my wishlist, with minimac on second place...

Wow, and I thought Apple was overpriced. Twice the price of a mac mini for a worse config.

edit: I wonder how these companies are in business.
edit2: I guess by selling these.

What about the Asus Nova P22:

http://stuff.tv/Review/Asus-Nova-P22/

skunkm0nkee Wrote:What about the Asus Nova P22:

http://stuff.tv/Review/Asus-Nova-P22/

Seems ok, the GMA 3000 (different from X3100) is similar to GMA 950. But given that the description says that it's a desktop computer, I'd say that's quite a sacrifice since at desktop sizes, you can get a much better GPU. Intel's current mobile top of the line is the X3100 (965 chipset) which is a whole generation more advanced than the i915 based GMA 3000 / 950 (supports hardware T/L, vertex shaders, etc). Moreover, if you're going desktop, the only choice should be Nvidia (at least if you're thinking linux/xbmc).

The Hush minipc's

Very silent, goodlooking but very pricey