Ideal Boat Computer?

[Dockhead]

For the past two years, I have been using an Intel Atom-based minicomputer, sold as a media computer. It was ultra cheap and has ultra low power consumption, and is fanless. On the whole it was pretty satisfactory. The power consumption, even on my power hog boat, is a concern because I run the navigation computer 24/7/365, so in this respect the box has been ideal.



However, I have had a few problems with it and I now think it's time to replace it. My problems:


1. System clock died; making log, vdr, and some other vital functions of OpenCPN inoperative.


2. OpenCPN crashes regularly. I believe it's because of a lack of resources. The box only has 2g of RAM, and it has a 32g EMMC flash drive "hard disk".


3. The hard drive is too small, at least for Windows 10. No matter how much space I free up on it, some things can't be updated.




So I look at alternatives, but I really don't know where is the sweet spot between power and resources vs. power consumption. I definitely don't want an i7 Intel NUC, burning 20 watts and more (and costing a lot).


So maybe a Celeron box? I found one with an 8th generation processor, real SSD hard drive, 128g, 6g of RAM. But it is fan cooled and I can't find power consumption figures for it or for anything comparable.


Alternatively, if I cross the line over to Linux, would that be enough lighter than Win 10 to allow me to continue using an Atom box with less resources? Or maybe Linux and Celeron? Is OpenCPN more stable on Linux?


I have long resisted going over to Linux because I don't want to spend time messing around with drivers and configuring it -- playing with computers is not what I want to do on the boat. However, Windows has been making me sick recently with all of the irresistible updates, all the various grabs for my data, unavoidable ****** Microsoft account, undeletable bloody Cortana, etc. etc. etc. -- maybe I should bite the bullet and make the effort. I'm an old Unix guy myself and Linux naturally is more like the way I think computers should work, anyway.



Anyone know where I can find power consumption figures?


I guess I'm not the only one thinking about this, so hope the discussion will be broadly useful.