Another Mini computer contender from Intel

[pmrid (Peter)]

It's not a bad idea. Plugs into the HDMI port on your screen. Needs a wireless KB/Mouse but it packs a quad-core Intel Atom , 2 GB DDR RAM, 32GB internal storage and a mini-SD port supporting up to another 128GB. Built in wifi, Bluetooth. The initial product run comes with Windows 8 installed and another one coming up in a few months will have Ubuntu. So people wanting to do the astro-Linux thing will have a ball. Not bad reviews.

http://au.rs-online.com/web/p/single...uters/8829685/

If you're looking for a portable to replace the old lappie, these things are become very attractive.

Peter

[AlexN]

That would go well Velcroed to the mount. Have planetarium, eqmod and ccd controlled running on that outside while sitting in the loungeroom in warmth on a laptop rdp/vnc in to the micro pc.. I like the idea.

[rustigsmed (Russell)]

oh WOW!!! I was being judgmental thinking 4gb ram is a minimum but I was expecting a small cube/console type thing or something this is deadest a usb stick computer!!

[Regulus (Trevor)]

I like this. How handy.
But;

...CR1220W 3.0V coin cell for data retention

That could all end in tears the day it goes flat, or you take it out to change it.

Trev

[pmrid (Peter)]

Originally Posted by Regulus

I like this. How handy.
But;
That could all end in tears the day it goes flat, or you take it out to change it.

Trev

I doubt that'd be an issue since all data is held on either internal non-volatile RAM or on external mini SD. I expect the OS is mebedded in the guts of the chip.
I don't see that risk frankly.
Peter

[glend (Glen)]

Not actually available till late October, it's a pre-sale offer.

[ZeroID (Brent)]

Wow, perfect, brilliant.

Me wants .....

Wife has IT supply connections in her business, must put the word out and see what eventuates. Only problem is ... Win 8 ! Might have to go Ubuntu ... astro version.

I can just see this hung off the bottom of the soon to be redundant 46" SONY TV mounted on the Ob wall. Bloody wall would fall over !!!

[Regulus (Trevor)]

You're probably right Peter, since, I guess, they wouldn't make it with such a glaring flaw. I want one :-)

[RB (Andrew)]

Last week I received an email from e-store advertising this one:

PC On a Stick with Windows 8.1 - Intel Inside - $199

Thinking of getting one.


RB

[multiweb (Marc)]

Hmm... operating temperature 0c to 35c. Better stick a dew heater on it

[pmrid (Peter)]

Originally Posted by RB

Last week I received an email from e-store advertising this one:

PC On a Stick with Windows 8.1 - Intel Inside - $199

Thinking of getting one.


RB

Looks like the same thing.
P.

[billdan (Bill)]

The only difference appears to be the first one will support Linux and the cheaper one supports Android

Pity it doesn't have USB 3.0 connection instead of USB 2.0.

Bill

[RobF (Rob)]

Can see 2 uses immediately:

1. Spare PC around the house if plugged into any LCD screen/TV
2. Astro PC for the imaging rig to save having wires running back into the house.


For 2, would be interesting to hear of strengths/weaknesses versus using a fit-PC from those in the know?

[AlexN]

Rob, I'm going to get one and test it against my raspberry pi2 that will be receiving an install of Astro distro... I'm hoping that it can be Velcroed to the mount, powered from a phone charger style plug and work a powered usb hub run eqmod, sbig and robofocus. The raspberry pi2 has the advantage of being much cheaper and having 4 usb ports. Also I have a 7" touch screen with stylus for the raspberry Pi making it a stand alone pc in the field.

[Octane (Humayun)]

Woah, how does the Raspberry Pi 2 run SBIG and RoboFocus?

I've got one which isn't really being used that heavily at the moment...

H

[AlexN]

It's getting an install of Astro distro tonight. It should be able to handle it provided you cut the ui down to bare minimum. I figure a raspberry Pi2 is more powerful than computers were in the late 90's and sbig cameras ertr operational in the late 90's. Surely I can make it work. Will report back after the weekend. I have a 7" touch screen attached to the rpi2 so even if I can't get vnc access I should still be able to run it standalone.

[Octane (Humayun)]

Let us know how you go, mate.

I've got one just being used as a VPN/occasional Python development/torrent daemon. Could put it to some better use as an astro device.

H

[AlexN]

No dramas H. I think it should be fine with a little bit of optimisation. I originally bought it as a small media box, then got another as a torrent box. Ended up with 5 of them set up as a load balanced home server cluster. Was pretty insane. This one has been pulled in the hopes it will serve as an astro controller.

[GC - South Aus]

G'day Everyone

Anyone tried this Intel based USB stick yet with their setup?

Any feedback?

Cheers

Gav

[SteveInNZ]

I have one of the first releases that came with a 30 day Win 8.1 license so if I want to keep using it, I have to buy a full license. Not sure if I will.
Now they are sold with a full Bing license.
Advantages (to me) - It runs EQAlign with my QHY5L-ii. It's Windows that I'm more familiar with.
Disadvantages (to me) - It draws about twice as much current as the Raspberry Pi 2 or one of the Android TV sticks. The one I have is is an early release of Win8.1 and won't load Net 3.5 so I can't load ASCOM. That shouldn't be an issue with newer ones. It has an ON button so I can't put it inside a box.

I have TinyAstro and iAstroHub running (on the bench) on Android TV sticks and Raspberry Pi 2. Both are Linux based and as far as I've played, work well. In all cases you'll need a powered USB hub for cameras, etc.

Overall, I'm not sure that I get enough usefulness for the power consumption compared to a stand-alone guider like the LVI. I can use the laptop to align and setup and then just need something for guiding. I use a DSLR and intervalometer to take pictures.

Steve.