I Need Some Advice - What is better for the long run? - Windows 8 General

There isn't really anywhere to ask this question so I am asking it here.
I am running a Dell M90 on Windows 8, but its finally starting to die. The screen is going out and its not economical to replace it. Im a little sad but its had a good run. Boots in less than 30 seconds and had a Windows rating over 5. Pretty good for a seven year old laptop. I am needing a replacement quickly.
Q: Which of the three laptops would you buy? Or is there another one out that I am missing?
Dell XPS 15
Samsung 17" series 7
Samsung 15" Series 9 Ultrabook
Why It's not such an easy decision:
Best option to upgrade to Windows 8 ( The M90 doesn't have the nvidia drivers available that it needs, uses a general driver w/out aero support)
Portability (The M90 is a monster to carry around)
I need a screen at least 15"
What is the major drawback between I7 and I5?
It must be Ivy Bridge or 3rd generation iSeries
I think I want a glossy screen (the M90 is matte, and I just dont think it looks as nice)
Would you only look at SSDs?

Related

[Q] Advice Wanted: What Tablet Should I Purchase To Run Win8?

I do not and have not ever owned a computer. I do love Windows Phone. So tempted am I after looking at god knows how many YT videos of the CP of 8. So. Tempted. What tablet do you guys recommend? What laptop? This is my first computer and I, quite frankly, expect it to last for a good while.
I know it's buggy. I know it's a beta. But damn does it look sexy.
If you want to get a tablet that can run Windows 8, is well-built, and modern-looking, and you want it before the proper Windows 8 tablets come out in the second half of the year... then the Samsung Series 7 Slate would be my recommendation.
Lumenii said:
If you want to get a tablet that can run Windows 8, is well-built, and modern-looking, and you want it before the proper Windows 8 tablets come out in the second half of the year... then the Samsung Series 7 Slate would be my recommendation.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Quite a hefty price tag on that. Every YT review mentions that the viewing angles are subpar. Your assessment as well? Otherwise, sexy specs, indeed. Added to the list, thanks.
Wait for windows 8 to launch and get a quality laptop with a touch screen. They will be flooding the market then and $750 will probably be enough for decent model. You may also want to avoid a tablet for windows 8 since software support for the ARM architecture is going to take a little time. A laptop with touch screen will allow you to fully enjoy the touch features metro brings while also being able to run everyday software and not just the simple metro apps.
I am running Windows 8 CP on a JooJoo (Intel Atom N270 and Nvidia ION), and it's running well. But I am jealous when I watch other people with Samsung Series 7 Slate running same tasks 3-4 times faster. So I would say that Samsung Slate deserves its money if you want power. But if you are looking for something affordable take a look at Winpad P100 with dual-core N570 and Hi-Definition 1366*768 screen. It will cost you around 450$. From what I read it is quite good compared to other Tablet PCs.
Cheers!
I owned a Samsung Slate for a week and I wouldn't recommend it.
cristidotro said:
I am running Windows 8 CP on a JooJoo (Intel Atom N270 and Nvidia ION), and it's running well. But I am jealous when I watch other people with Samsung Series 7 Slate running same tasks 3-4 times faster. So I would say that Samsung Slate deserves its money if you want power. But if you are looking for something affordable take a look at Winpad P100 with dual-core N570 and Hi-Definition 1366*768 screen. It will cost you around 450$. From what I read it is quite good compared to other Tablet PCs.
Cheers!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
This thing looks pretty good and when I googled it I found a website that it selling it for $349 (single core) and add $50 for the Dual Core so its only $400 bucks...
Acer Iconia Tab W500
I think one of the challenges you are going to run into right now is that no hardware manufacturer is really making a true Win8-optimized Laptop. Buying anything at the moment is kind of a crap-shoot as a result.
If you are truly looking owning something that needs to last a few years you may be better waiting until the product goes gold and Dell, HP, Lenovo (and even Nokia if rumors are to be believed) begin coming out with product that will take advantage of the touch-enabled interface. I know I'm not making any expensive personal decisions until then as I expect to see a lot of interesting stuff at that point.
For testing purposes I've been using an Acer Iconia Tab W500 since the DP release that was boosted with an 80GB SSD. Total cost was about $600.00 (Tablet plus SSD bought off eBay) and as a Tablet PC for testing it is a great deal for the money.
Wait until fully win8 compliant hardware available
To be able to use a Win8 tablet like any of the other modern tablets, it needs to be able to allow Metro apps (like mail, feeds, weather) to update themselves while the device is asleep.
To do this, the hardware has to support the Connected Standby (CS) state.
The CS presenter at the BUILD conference stated that the tablet handed out there (same as Samsung Slate XE700T) did NOT support CS.
That is why I stopped being interested in the Slate.
I would suggest waiting until devices running the full finished Win8 come out as they would most likely support all the designed-in Win8 functionality.
To those who think that a laptop with touch will do, I say that the Samsung Slate has shown that a dual core i5 64bit tablet is easily capable of replacing almost all current laptops, but in a more flexible and convenient format. I predict that tablets with keyboards will replace laptops almost completely (come the next replacement opportunity).
my recomendation...
If you absolutely can't wait, I have an Acer Iconia Tab W500.
10.1 Inches, AMD Fusion C-60 (yes, not C-50) dual core @1.0Ghz with Radeon HD6290 graphics, 2Gb of memory and a 32 Gb SSD for storage.
I got it with the Keyboard dock which ads a Lan and makes it an awesome choice.
Better by far than any atom out there.
MasterTB said:
If you absolutely can't wait, I have an Acer Iconia Tab W500.
10.1 Inches, AMD Fusion C-60 (yes, not C-50) dual core @1.0Ghz with Radeon HD6290 graphics, 2Gb of memory and a 32 Gb SSD for storage.
I got it with the Keyboard dock which ads a Lan and makes it an awesome choice.
Better by far than any atom out there.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I second this. The W500 is so awesome. I have the version with C-50 and even this one does most games and programmes amazingly fast!
deleted
I got the Samsung Slate. My reasoning is on my blog at gadgets dot itwriting dot com - I have too few posts here to give the link unfortunately. Search for Samsung.
Frankly, the device is not that well designed. The keyboard (optional extra) is particularly annoying, because it has no real on/off button. Very hard to pack a keyboard in such a way that keys do not get pressed accidentally. Consequently, if you pack keyboard + slate in your bag, with the slate on sleep, the keyboard wakes it up and bad things happen. Ended up removing batteries from keyboard when not in use, and they rattle around at the bottom of the bag.
Of course you don't need to get the keyboard; and with Windows 8 it works better than with 7 although I have not got the rotation sensor working yet. The Windows button doesn't work quite right, especially after it has been on for a while, but no great loss. Performance is great, and I don't regret the purchase given that I really need to use Windows 8 NOW.
If you can hold off though, I would definitely wait for devices that are designed for Windows 8.
Tim
^^ the Series 7 Slate keyboard has an off switch. Its the same button you click to put it in pairing mode.
dtboos said:
^^ the Series 7 Slate keyboard has an off switch. Its the same button you click to put it in pairing mode.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I have found it works OK as an "on" switch but not as an "off" switch!
Tim
Hardware wise what's coming in the next few months?
bmstrong said:
Hardware wise what's coming in the next few months?
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Click to collapse
Probably nothing. You won't see new devices until Win8 is ready to be released.
dtboos said:
Probably nothing. You won't see new devices until Win8 is ready to be released.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Well, nuts. I convinced my brother to drop it onto his laptop. Absolutely fantastic for me, as a long time Windows user he was horrified. A lot, I think comes down to a fear of change and the misconception that you can't really do anything with the MetroTop. As a WP lover I couldn't be happier and wished they didn't even include the desktop side.
I'll look around at a couple suggestions, perhaps with the fever surrounding the iPad 3 I can snatch something cheap.

[Q] Recommend a cheap Windows 8 x86 tablet?

I'm thinking I might like a Windows 8 x86 tablet to play with. No point for me to wait for the Microsoft Surface Pro, because I expect it'll be $700+ and that's way too much for a toy I'll just be goofing off with in the livingroom while I watch TV. I'd be interested in recommendations, preferably $350 or less.
My current tablet is an HP Touchpad running CM9 ICS and it's pretty much perfect as far as screen size goes. Using that as a guide, HP Slate looks too small. Acer Iconia W500 looks pretty decent, but they are still kind of pricey even used. Maybe if I get super lucky, willing to wait several months to snipe an auction, I can get a 2nd hand one for under $350 on eBay. I'm also not super thrilled about widescreen on a tablet since I won't watch too many movies on it.
Those 9.7" Chinese tablets for around $350 look appealing, because I think they use the same 9.7" IPS screen as the older iPads and my HP Touchpad. I greatly prefer a 4:3 screen if possible because they're nice for web browsing in both orientations. There are identical looking China tabs with different brands and models, I saw FSL F979, Wopad R92, AnyPC, and a bunch of others. This is a vid of the AnyPC version running Win8:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9vTYGKSm54c&feature=player_embedded
Looks reasonably responsive in the vid.
Anyone have one of these China tabs? They all look the same, are they? I wonder if they're all manufactured by the same company and the name is slapped on by distributors. The only customer review I could find on Google was a guy on a Spanish forum really liked his Wopad R92. They also dual-boot Android x86 out of the box, although it's probably possible to do this with any x86 tablet with a little work.
Skytex Skypad looks like an even nicer 4:3 x86 tablet with dual core processor, but at $700, it's a bit more than I'd like to spend.
Is there anything else I should be looking at? Maybe something thinner? So far all these x86 tablets are pretty fat. W500 is around 16mm I think, and China tabs around 17mm. My 13.7mm HP Touchpad is already thicker than I would like.
GnatGoSplat said:
I'm thinking I might like a Windows 8 x86 tablet to play with. No point for me to wait for the Microsoft Surface Pro, because I expect it'll be $700+ and that's way too much for a toy I'll just be goofing off with in the livingroom while I watch TV. I'd be interested in recommendations, preferably $350 or less.
My current tablet is an HP Touchpad running CM9 ICS and it's pretty much perfect as far as screen size goes. Using that as a guide, HP Slate looks too small. Acer Iconia W500 looks pretty decent, but they are still kind of pricey even used. Maybe if I get super lucky, willing to wait several months to snipe an auction, I can get a 2nd hand one for under $350 on eBay. I'm also not super thrilled about widescreen on a tablet since I won't watch too many movies on it.
Those 9.7" Chinese tablets for around $350 look appealing, because I think they use the same 9.7" IPS screen as the older iPads and my HP Touchpad. I greatly prefer a 4:3 screen if possible because they're nice for web browsing in both orientations. There are identical looking China tabs with different brands and models, I saw FSL F979, Wopad R92, AnyPC, and a bunch of others. This is a vid of the AnyPC version running Win8:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9vTYGKSm54c&feature=player_embedded
Looks reasonably responsive in the vid.
Anyone have one of these China tabs? They all look the same, are they? I wonder if they're all manufactured by the same company and the name is slapped on by distributors. The only customer review I could find on Google was a guy on a Spanish forum really liked his Wopad R92. They also dual-boot Android x86 out of the box, although it's probably possible to do this with any x86 tablet with a little work.
Skytex Skypad looks like an even nicer 4:3 x86 tablet with dual core processor, but at $700, it's a bit more than I'd like to spend.
Is there anything else I should be looking at? Maybe something thinner? So far all these x86 tablets are pretty fat. W500 is around 16mm I think, and China tabs around 17mm. My 13.7mm HP Touchpad is already thicker than I would like.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
get an acer w500 tablet, its fast, reliable, and it is cheap compared to other good windows tabs, i got mine for 440 on ebay with free shipping
I agree the W500 from acer is the way to go. I got mine for 375 with shipping from ebay.
works great with win 8
Sent from my GT-N7000 using xda premium
Me too, got mine for £275 with shipping off ebay!
LightInDark said:
Me too, got mine for £275 with shipping off ebay!
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Click to collapse
Really? But in auction or in "fast buy"?
Is native with Windows 8 RC?
If not, what driver do you use with it?
Thanks.
DeAndreon said:
Really? But in auction or in "fast buy"?
Is native with Windows 8 RC?
If not, what driver do you use with it?
Thanks.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
just use the drivers off the acer website, you have to install windows 8 yourself but most of the drivers work, all you need are bluetooth, rotation and the acer device control program
i personally installed the amd graphics drivers because amd's control software for the c60 apu is amazing(you can control clock speeds, power consumption, ect.)
and what he paid for his tablet is about 430usd(assuming it is the British pound) but i have seen refurbished units for as low as $300, i personally wouldnt get refurbished though as you will be stuck with the amd c50 which is slower than the amd c60 by 333mhz(the c60 has a turbo core of 1.33ghz but it runs naively at 1ghz)
what do you think about the tablet : Lenovo ideapad P1 link
or Hasee A110 (or A10)
Noelch said:
what do you think about the tablet : Lenovo ideapad P1 link
or Hasee A110 (or A10)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
what are the specs on that tablet.
windows 8 tablet
Windows 8 clearly has plans for the production of plenty of tablets; in fact, dell has already announced a partnership with the Windows to release a tablet in early 2012. This could be the first tablet that is released, but it will not be the only one.
because all features and software available in windows 8.just use the drivers off the acer website, you have to install windows 8 yourself but most of the drivers work, all you need are bluetooth, rotation and the acer device control program
i personally installed the amd graphics drivers because amd's control software for the c60 apu is amazing(you can control clock speeds, power consumption.ARM or advanced RISC machine is a 32 bit reduced instruction set computer, which is currently used in low end technologies such as phones and tablets. Originally, they were developed for computing, but the x86 family took over this market and now dominate it. However, ARM has a tight grip on the mobile phone and tablet market. An astonishing 98% of phones sold last year used ARM systems.and huge benefits of arm...simplicity and higher performance.
I had a w500 that I used for a while, and it was great with Windows 8. I got it for $250 on CL with the dock and everything. I was able to get an Asus EP121 on eBay for $450 and I'm just thrilled with it. Its missing the stylus and Bluetooth keyboard, but I wouldn't use those, anyway. I got the 64gb version. I would've liked the Samsung series 7 slate, but I just couldn't fund them for under $700.
W500 is a good cheap tablet, but it's ugly and very slow. Don't expect to be running any javascript metro apps on it without lag.
It's surprisingly solid in desktop mode for basic programs and stuff.
Thanks for the recommends, looks like Acer W500 is unanimous. I also saw it's not too hard to find a used one for <$300 on eBay, although I don't see any way to tell if it's a C-50 or C-60 version.
However, the more use my HP Touchpad, I think I won't be able to tolerate going back to a 10.1" widescreen tab. I had one before, and hated using it in portrait because it's so narrow and tall that way. With my HP Touchpad, I almost always use it portrait because I mainly use it for reading/web and never watch movies. I'll probably just stick with my HP Touchpad until a good and inexpensive 4:3 Windows x86 tab comes out.

Can someone in light me about Win8 Tablets

hi, I'm making my mind and starting to save my money to buy Win8 Tablet, I saw a lot of variants, something with ARM processors and others with Intel processors.
Intel will be my choice for optimal performance, what are the tablets that will carry Intel CPU? even if rumoured
ARM will be your more traditional type tablets with the more traditional price ie 10" thin slab for about £350. The Intel variants your looking at hybrid ultrabooks. Slightly thicker with keyboards etc. An example would be the Sony duo 11. That said MS will have both intel and arm versions of the surface though intel is again thicker. It depends if your trying to replace a pc or just want a tablet? There not really the same thing or in the same price bracket. You will be looking at about £200+ extra for intel hence being more ultrabooks with touchscreens than tablets.
I brought a acer w500 for £250 from hmv.
It works great with windows 8.
It's cheap and runs smoothly.
If you want a cheap windows tablet this is the way to go.
Iv not seen a windows tablet at a price lower than this.
Also it includes the £15 upgrade price to windows 8.
From my fingers to your face.
interesting thread. can any android tablet have windows 8 installed? or do android devices not have ssd/normal hdds in them?
thanks
yeah im looking to replace my laptop with an Ultrabook or hybrid, i dont mind paying extra for optimal performance.
Sony Duo 11 looks promising, waiting for companys to show more
I don't know, that Surface tablet looks pretty cool. Especially with the keyboard cover. If Microsoft prices the Surface RT at $200, I'm picking up one for sure...and will probably buy again when the Ivy bridge surface drops next year.
....Sony has a habit of overpricing everything. No go in this recession environment.
Sent from a SYNERGIZED GalaxySIII
Convertable Laptop/Tablet
Hi
For the last three years I have been using a HP Touchsmart TX2Z which is a convertable Laptop/Tablet.
It wouldn't compare favourably to current products but based on my experience, I recommend using this form factor as a primary PC. I use it as a laptop if I'm writing lots of emails or a document like a business plan but then as a tablet if I'm just reading emails or documents, browsing the web or in meetings and want quick access to information, agendas, minutes, etc.
Windows 8 and Office 2013 make it a lot more useful with "Touch Mode" and the better support for touch control throughout the OS.
God bless
andrew-in-woking

Is the TF300 a bit outta shape? (Obsolete)

Okay, so recently we've seen the sprout of Windows 8 tablets and RT tablets. And it got me wondering, now that we have Windows tablets with keyboard docks, what's the point of the TF300 or Transformer Line at all?
I mean, look at it this way, for the users who bought it with the keyboard, we bought it for the tablet/pc experience. But now with Windows 8 tablets (and Win 8 Pro), what's the point of the TF300? Wouldn't you be more satisfied with the Surface tablet running full fledged Windows 8, and being able to use it with some of their basic apps for a tablet like experience?
That's just my 2 cents, I dunno. I'm thinking about saving for a Surface tablet without RT.
I still think TF300 is the best. It is Android (not Windows crappy SO) and my dock gives me more battery life. Windows 8 apps are sloooow to load, surface comes with many problems related to sound, and well, I'ts a Windows - after some months it will start to stay slow and buggy. I also hate that metro thing that you cannot even change. If I didn't buy the transformer at this time, I would buy it anyway.
The other Windows tablets don't even come close to the functionality the Asus Transformer Pad series offers. You don't have to use crappy Windows 8 for a start.
I am usually an early adopter, but I am waiting to see how the Windows RT market develops. In time, I think it will be as rich as the iOS and Android app markets, but it ain't there yet.
I also like the open nature of Android over iOS or Win RT. Windows is aiming for a compromise between the two environments: less restrictive than Apple, but still not open to multiple markets and varying levels of quality control/risk on the Android platform, which a lot of users will prefer. But Win RT is restricted, unlike the x86 version of Windows 8 (and all previous Windows OSs). So I don;t see Android losing its appeal, and thus the Transformer models are still strong tablets with keyboard capabilities.
I haven't seen a Windows tablet yet that will touch this Transformer.
Sent from my Transformer Pad TF300T using Xparent Purple Tapatalk 2
I mean recently I've been looking into getting a ASUS VivoTab which is similar to the Transformer series, but uses Windows 8 Pro, and an Atom Clover Field Dual-Core 1.8GHz processor, w/ 2GB's of RAM. It'll sustain my web browsing and be able to run legacy apps. That's what I'm really interested in, a laptop/tablet hybrid.
The TF300 doesn't keep me excited the way it used to :/ I really do wanna like it though.
qwahchees said:
I mean recently I've been looking into getting a ASUS VivoTab which is similar to the Transformer series, but uses Windows 8 Pro, and an Atom Clover Field Dual-Core 1.8GHz processor, w/ 2GB's of RAM. It'll sustain my web browsing and be able to run legacy apps. That's what I'm really interested in, a laptop/tablet hybrid.
The TF300 doesn't keep me excited the way it used to :/ I really do wanna like it though.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The way I see it, Windows 8 Pro looks great. BUT it can wait for the next laptop upgrade, at which point all laptops will be a tablet hybrid. Plus, going by the Microsoft "every other OS" curse, Windows 8 will suck compared to Windows 9.
Not just Android, but also price point: you're looking at US$200 more for the RT equivalent of the TF300.
I want a tablet, not a PC, and all the reliability you get with a tablet. I don't think there's anything wrong with Windows or Microsoft - I have two Windows PCs and think it's great for working on my desktop - but it's horses for courses, and I like the open nature of Android. You can expect Microsoft to mess something up or stifle development at some point: if Android didn't exist and development was left up to Microsoft then it'd be a much worse environment.
I can't imagine that I'd have a real use for a hybrid tablet/laptop though, not until the prices for touch screens come down a lot. At work and in my office here, the laptops end up getting plugged into a larger monitor and external keyboard for comfort reasons.
Or maybe I'm just getting old and resistant to change.
qwahchees said:
Okay, so recently we've seen the sprout of Windows 8 tablets and RT tablets. And it got me wondering, now that we have Windows tablets with keyboard docks, what's the point of the TF300 or Transformer Line at all?
I mean, look at it this way, for the users who bought it with the keyboard, we bought it for the tablet/pc experience. But now with Windows 8 tablets (and Win 8 Pro), what's the point of the TF300? Wouldn't you be more satisfied with the Surface tablet running full fledged Windows 8, and being able to use it with some of their basic apps for a tablet like experience?
That's just my 2 cents, I dunno. I'm thinking about saving for a Surface tablet without RT.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The biggest downside for windows 8 rt is you can only run rt apps which are few. I'll consider later when there is more app support. As I see it now if it isn't included you are stuck, compared to hundreds of thousands of apps for android.
Obsolete? No I don't think that is accurate. Newer tabs out, yes. That is the tech world. Buy today and get more bells and whistles tomorrow or use a current product until there is truly a good reason to upgrade or spend your bucks to have the latest.
I know which is best for me but you are the only one who can make a proper decision for yourself.
If it is right for you then certainly get one. No one can or should fault you for that.
Good Luck!
Yep I'm with the idea for the price tag this is more capable and better software..... Plus they are right the touch screen laptop bit is more attractive.....
Sent from my Transformer Pad TF300T using Tapatalk 2
Honestly I don't like the way windows 8 is layed out. I do like the tablet / laptop design. But seriously windows 8 does not look compelling to me, they are trying to hard to make it look like android .
Sent from my EVO using xda premium

Suggestions for Small Form Factor Linux build

I want to move from my old Windows 7-64 Pro ( still going strong ) to a Linux build using a Small Form Factor case and motherboard. I built my own PC's for a number of years but the Win 7 was the last build with 7 first came out. I am woefully out of step with the modern hardware so I would appreciate some guidance in selecting components.
I retire next year and want to retire my Win 7 with me. Start my retirement with Linux.
Thanks to all!
Pabbi77 said:
I want to move from my old Windows 7-64 Pro ( still going strong ) to a Linux build using a Small Form Factor case and motherboard. I built my own PC's for a number of years but the Win 7 was the last build with 7 first came out. I am woefully out of step with the modern hardware so I would appreciate some guidance in selecting components.
I retire next year and want to retire my Win 7 with me. Start my retirement with Linux.
Thanks to all!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
For really small Form factor Linux PC's you can use a raspberry Pi.
Otherwise ITX form factors are really small for PC components. But this depends on your requirements(number of space you need).
Otherwise you can run Linux on everything nowadays
Thank you....I think the Pi will be too small for me, I am more comfortable with the ITX size. My company uses some Dell Optiplex 7060 ( I think 7060 ) and I like the size on my work desk. Would want to keep that size at the house with multiple USB connectors.
I did not know Linux would run on any motherboard, I had been told that some boards were not possible, which frankly boggled my mind. I played with Minix years ago when it came out ( prior to Linux ) and then later Linux. I moved away from Linux at that time as it was not ready for prime time and we where too entrenched in MS.
Pabbi77 said:
I want to move from my old Windows 7-64 Pro ( still going strong ) to a Linux build using a Small Form Factor case and motherboard. I built my own PC's for a number of years but the Win 7 was the last build with 7 first came out. I am woefully out of step with the modern hardware so I would appreciate some guidance in selecting components.
I retire next year and want to retire my Win 7 with me. Start my retirement with Linux.
Thanks to all!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
What are you planning on using the build for ? I ask this because I tried to build a mini workstation and ran into serious issues. You can run Linux on just about anything, but what you want to be able to do with that Linux installation will determine hardware requirements. From a performance standpoint the smaller you go the less power you have available. Cooling can be tricky also with sff builds. If the Optiplex is sff like one I have it's roughly 12x12x4. You can pack decent performance into one that size but it takes careful planning. HTPC is the form factor to get close to that size and mITX desktops are about twice as thick. For ease of building in, there are also micro-ATX mini towers that aren't huge and mATX can be a lot cheaper. Here's a couple places to look at sff:
SFF.Network
r/sffpc
tek3195 said:
What are you planning on using the build for ? I ask this because I tried to build a mini workstation and ran into serious issues. You can run Linux on just about anything, but what you want to be able to do with that Linux installation will determine hardware requirements. From a performance standpoint the smaller you go the less power you have available. Cooling can be tricky also with sff builds. If the Optiplex is sff like one I have it's roughly 12x12x4. You can pack decent performance into one that size but it takes careful planning. HTPC is the form factor to get close to that size and mITX desktops are about twice as thick. For ease of building in, there are also micro-ATX mini towers that aren't huge and mATX can be a lot cheaper. Here's a couple places to look at sff:
SFF.Network
r/sffpc
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Appreciate the reply. Use will be home use only, printer, internet, GIMP, etc., nothing treasonous at all. I may at a later date move it to a 3D printer but that is further down the road.
The cooling and such is a concern for me to be honest. The Optiplex ~12x12x4 units we have at work run 24-7 and have been perfect ( other than Windows 10 ) and are the reason I have entertained going to a smaller form factor. I appreciate the links and will take a look at those.
thanks!
Coolermaster Q500L , spec are mostly in photos, b460m pro vdh wifi mobo
Hi
Since you mentioned that you know your way around i'll go directly into tech detail.
I recon using mini-DTX instead mini-ITX (reason? well with it's being a little bit bigger yet almost very small you get NVMe m2 slot plus more expansion)
Well for mainboard i recommend "ROG Crosshair VIII Impact" it's AM4 which means Ryzen 2 and 3 sreies.(might be able use 5 series)
Also 2 DIMM means 64 GB of RAM and M.2 ports. And i guess 15 total USB's thart are accusable with this board are enough for your need. Also some nice to have like wifi 6 and Bluetooth 5.0 are available.
Sadly unlike intel CPU there is no on board GPU aka iGPU with AMD CPU (unless you go for G series which have APUs) might present some headache in linux you know GPU drivers are a little bit troublesome in linux world. (personally using NVIDIA Titan X on desktop and 1660Ti Max-P on laptop without problem).
For other part you really don't need to think twice almost all resent HW (from 2012 and newer) should work easily with Linux.
Here is brief info of mentioned mainboard.
ROG Crosshair VIII Impact | ROG Crosshair | Gaming Motherboards|ROG - Republic of Gamers|ROG Suomi
The first Impact in the longstanding Crosshair lineup and designed for 3rd Gen AMD Ryzen CPUs. Comes with dual M.2, next-gen networking with Wi-Fi 6, onboard SupremeFX audio, plus an active finned heatsink, all packed in for your next SFF gaming rig!
rog.asus.com
hope I've been a little bit help!

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