Intel NUC computers

[Nortilus]

Very small, runs on 7watts and is fast enough to run most imaging software all at once and remotely.
http://www.umart.com.au/umart1/pro/products_review.phtml?id=&bid=2&id2=70&sid=187007
this is the base model but there are faster ones that use i3 and i5 processors.

Any thought?

[MrB]

No firsthand experience, but another IIS member is using them:
http://www.iceinspace.com.au/forum/showthread.php?t=122118

[Garbz]

Grady was showing it around at Astrofest.
I have a Fit-PC3 http://www.fit-pc.com/web/products/fit-pc3/ which is significantly slower and yet still fast enough to run all imaging software including PHD remotely. Although I haven't tried plate-solving yet.

Just think about what you want to do with it. Remote desktop / VNC / Teamviewer introduces a bit of lag if you use the mouse and keyboard to manually position your telescope.

[peter_4059]

Main issue I have with the NUC is 19V. The fit pc is 12V.

[acropolite]

Some reports of overheating, expensive for what they are, limited ports.

[stanlite]

Yeah can't say i was impressed with the Intel i had heating problems and random freezing. I ended up returning it to the store. As peter said the 19V was also an issue.

I ended up getting this one instead (which is the one that was at astrofest)

http://www.umart.com.au/umart1/pro/Products-details.phtml?id=&id2=70&bid=2&sid=196745

It is great, so far the only issue i have had is a timeout of the losmandy when i use my Mount Hub pro (if i use a powered USB hub instead i don't get this issue). Also most importantly it is 12V and Fanless so i can attach it to the mount without introducing vibrations.

One final thing i like about the Gigabyte is it has built in Buletooth and wireless which just work. So if i wanted to I could go wireless to the mount (yay cable management).

This runs Sequance generator pro, PHD 2.3, Gemini Ascom and Cart De Sel without any problems.

Oh did i mention it is cheaper than the Intel NUC

[Nortilus]

I would most likely use a very stipped back version of windows 7 (or XP) and remote desktop. If you had this in a obs and remoting into it, cant see why would run wireless, remove the network lag by running network cable.

[Garbz]

I've run my mount wirelessly the intent being to have the small PC mounted on the scope itself and have one less cable to get tangled. 802.11b/g are a bit painful but 802.11n works very well, especially since being like 1m away I'm sure speeds were above 100mbps.

At astrofest I actually ran laptop wired to wireless gateway (laptop only had 802.11b/g), and the wireless to the PC. Bonus points allowed me to get the remote desktop display up on my phone so I could keep track of the mount while having dinner / lunch / whatever a 2am meal is called.