2015-02-28, 08:59
I would like to get a mini pc to use to run Kodi(hooked up to my tv), and do some editing of raw photos. I have one of those WD live tv box, which is solid, but I am liking the idea of a desktop based box as it would be more feature filled(and faster). Right now I am looking at few choices.
Asus EB1037 uses a Bay-Trail quad-core Celeron(J1900), but in this particular version it's paired with a Nvidia 820m(from their webstie, but amazon and another page referred to the gpu as GT820m). 350-400usd for a built one(or if really wanted to about $160 for a barebone and go from there). I think I saw another model with a differen Nvidia gpu, but not certain.
Another option I was thinking of is one of Chromebox(probably the Asus since it's easy to upgrade the ram and HDD) models, which I have seen go as low as $100 for a model with 2955U, 2gb of ram(which of course I would upgrade), and 16gb SSD(have a 1TB external, but probably upgrade to 64gb). I would probably install Linux, more likely Kodi.
I've also noticed HP offers a Chromebox like(same specs) device the Stream Mini, but with WIndows 8.1 and 32gb of SSD for about $180. Their Chromebox model has one ram slot, but can be upgrade, but not sure about this model. I like this model, not for windows, but the fact that installing Linux/Kodi maybe a bit easier. There is also a model with a slightly faster Pentium cpu(not sure if gpu is faster than the Celeron though), 500gb HDD, and I think 4gb of ram, for about $310. Not sure if that's worth paying a little under double for just extra space and a barely faster(?) computer. For about that same price HP and Asus offer Chromebox models with i3 cpu & 4gb of ram; however, space is still at 16gb. :-\
In my searchings I've noticed there is a FitPC Fitlet(which the MintBox is based on). I like the size, and how it looks, but not sure about the AMD hardware(specifically the quad-core A4 and A10 4.5w models). But the price is fair at under $300. I take Kodi can work with this particular AMD cpu?
I know in single core performance the Haswell Celeron is faster, but in multi-core tests(and possibly in the real world) the Atom based quad core Celeron is faster. Intel gpu is better on the Haswell Celeron(Pentium or i3), but not sure how the haswell gpu compares the Nvdia 820m. It also, seems like the AMD models are a bit behind the Celeron based Atom in the Asus, but GPU is better than the other models I am looking at? Or is this incorrect?
btw is there another compact/mini option to look at in the under $400(preferably under $325) range that I may have missed? Thank you!
Asus EB1037 uses a Bay-Trail quad-core Celeron(J1900), but in this particular version it's paired with a Nvidia 820m(from their webstie, but amazon and another page referred to the gpu as GT820m). 350-400usd for a built one(or if really wanted to about $160 for a barebone and go from there). I think I saw another model with a differen Nvidia gpu, but not certain.
Another option I was thinking of is one of Chromebox(probably the Asus since it's easy to upgrade the ram and HDD) models, which I have seen go as low as $100 for a model with 2955U, 2gb of ram(which of course I would upgrade), and 16gb SSD(have a 1TB external, but probably upgrade to 64gb). I would probably install Linux, more likely Kodi.
I've also noticed HP offers a Chromebox like(same specs) device the Stream Mini, but with WIndows 8.1 and 32gb of SSD for about $180. Their Chromebox model has one ram slot, but can be upgrade, but not sure about this model. I like this model, not for windows, but the fact that installing Linux/Kodi maybe a bit easier. There is also a model with a slightly faster Pentium cpu(not sure if gpu is faster than the Celeron though), 500gb HDD, and I think 4gb of ram, for about $310. Not sure if that's worth paying a little under double for just extra space and a barely faster(?) computer. For about that same price HP and Asus offer Chromebox models with i3 cpu & 4gb of ram; however, space is still at 16gb. :-\
In my searchings I've noticed there is a FitPC Fitlet(which the MintBox is based on). I like the size, and how it looks, but not sure about the AMD hardware(specifically the quad-core A4 and A10 4.5w models). But the price is fair at under $300. I take Kodi can work with this particular AMD cpu?
I know in single core performance the Haswell Celeron is faster, but in multi-core tests(and possibly in the real world) the Atom based quad core Celeron is faster. Intel gpu is better on the Haswell Celeron(Pentium or i3), but not sure how the haswell gpu compares the Nvdia 820m. It also, seems like the AMD models are a bit behind the Celeron based Atom in the Asus, but GPU is better than the other models I am looking at? Or is this incorrect?
btw is there another compact/mini option to look at in the under $400(preferably under $325) range that I may have missed? Thank you!
