Intel NUC and Gigabyte Brix Mini Computers - your thoughts please

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kingrob

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Intel NUC : http://www.intel.co.za/content/www/za/en/nuc/overview.html

Gigabyte BRIX : http://www.gigabyte.co.za/MicroSite/342/haswell.html

I'm seriously considering either a Gigabyte Brix or Intel NUC computer for everyday use, but is it worth it?

The huge adavantage of the NUC and Brix computers are that they're extremely compact & you can mount it on the back of a LED monitor, or place it next to the monitor, without taking up much space.

You still need to purchase an OS, a hard drive/SSD drive and RAM, which will add extra cost to your purchase. Also, does it support Windows 7, or is it Windows 8 only/Ubuntu Linux, other distros, etc.

If you are using one of these computers, can you please share your experience and thoughts?
 
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I have one of the NUC's.


I use it to run my NNTP Downloads, Plex, CouchPotato, NZB Drone etc. Hooked up via HDMI to my receiver.

It is an awesome little PC.
 
There is also the ecs liva that looks good. No idea where to get them locally at a decent price.
 
The Baytrail m 2820 model is cheapish and very frugal power wise. Like 7W frugal.
 
What do you think of the price?

Don't you think the Gigabyte ones look like better value and performance compared to the Intel NUCs?

The top end Brix ones actually have a proper quad core CPU.
 
Roger Moore said:
I've got a Celeron NUC. The pricing on the Brix is way out there.
Click to expand...

Is it good enough for web browsing and typing the odd Word document?

As I understand it, it only has drivers for Windows 8 and Ubuntu Linux, no Windows 7 drivers.

Is it true?
 
kingrob said:
Is it good enough for web browsing and typing the odd Word document?

As I understand it, it only has drivers for Windows 8 and Ubuntu Linux, no Windows 7 drivers.

Is it true?
Click to expand...
I haven't tried Windows but it was designed with Windows in mind.

I was running Ubuntu with XBMC which sits at about 8% cpu usage on both cores and ram usage was around a gig while playing movies. I've got 6gigs ram on mine. Now I'm busy setting up Linux Mint because Unity was driving me insane.

I believe you can run Openelec from a usb on the NUC according to the forums.

I have used it to browse on Mint and it worked fine.

It's comparably small to a Raspberry Pi. I needed something tiny to fit behind my tv.
 
Roger Moore said:
I haven't tried Windows but it was designed with Windows in mind.
Click to expand...

I think Intel designed it with me in mind. :)

I'm so tired of the big ol' boring ATX cases & last felt excited about desktop computers with the launch of the Shuttle PC.

Now I have something that might work for me, as I have a very nice 24'' display, and I can just mount the NUC on the back of the monitor.

And it just so happens that I have 4GB spare notebook RAM and a 120GB hard disk. :)
 
Roger Moore said:
The one I have has got dual hdmi, 3 x usb 2.0, RJ45 and msata only. The models above can take 2.5" drives, support usb 3.0, etc but get pricier.

http://www.intel.com/support/motherboards/desktop/sb/cs-033763.htm
Click to expand...

I am looking at the i3 and i5 with all USB ports being 3.0 & storage for mSATA & normal HDD.

If I put in a WD Red 2.5'' 1TB hard disk for saving stuff and use my external 1TB WD Essentials hard drive to sync with it, I'm pretty much sorted.

Main thing is that I would rather want to use my 24'' display than the 15.6'' display of my notebook, then I can even sell my noteboook.
 
I have a few in operation at clients (i5 model), Windows 7 and 4gig ram.
It does work. I think the reason behind all the solid state devices is heat reduction. (like ssd)

When setting up the feeling I got was the same as the small atom notebooks of a few years back. Yes it work for office work, but it's not that wow.

It is small, but little thicker than what you think, especially when you mount it on the back of the screen.

Also the whole enclosure run hotter than what I would've like.
For a office pc, Word and normal Excel, mails and web surfing it work great.

I like it when you open the Intel box (unboxing) the product. Had days of fun, planting it everywhere...
 
kingrob said:
I am looking at the i3 and i5 with all USB ports being 3.0 & storage for mSATA & normal HDD.

If I put in a WD Red 2.5'' 1TB hard disk for saving stuff and use my external 1TB WD Essentials hard drive to sync with it, I'm pretty much sorted.

Main thing is that I would rather want to use my 24'' display than the 15.6'' display of my notebook, then I can even sell my noteboook.
Click to expand...
I've got a 60gig msata and my storage is on my microserver.

gfmalan said:
I have a few in operation at clients (i5 model), Windows 7 and 4gig ram.
It does work. I think the reason behind all the solid state devices is heat reduction. (like ssd)

When setting up the feeling I got was the same as the small atom notebooks of a few years back. Yes it work for office work, but it's not that wow.

It is small, but little thicker than what you think, especially when you mount it on the back of the screen.

Also the whole enclosure run hotter than what I would've like.
For a office pc, Word and normal Excel, mails and web surfing it work great.

I like it when you open the Intel box (unboxing) the product. Had days of fun, planting it everywhere...
Click to expand...

I hate the tune it plays
 
Anyone using the Celeron with SATA drive & dual RAM?

I want to use it as a internet and Word writing pc, but a bit worried that it might struggle.

Like someone else has mentioned, not worth it to spend R6000 on it, can just as well buy a proper desktop.
 
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