NEW Opencpn mini pc using Linux mint

[Simi 60]

Have read many mini PC threads on here yet found nothing conclusive yet so am hoping for some current advice from users.

I'll start by saying I am not interested in a Mac and I don't think I am interested in raspberry pi.
I want something that replicates or preferably betters what I have at minimal outlay.

Currently, I run a compaq presario cq41 laptop running Linux mint plugged into a 23 inch ips monitor running opencpn and the new mini PC needs to do the same.
Apparently it runs an AMD sempron m120 2ghz single core processor but for what I use it for it seems adequate. I have given it an SSD and ram upgrade.
I want to retire the laptop for something smaller so as to free up bench space.

Of the myriad of mini PCs available on eBay, what's something that I should be looking at?
I was thinking something like this seems to be at least on par with what I have now in the laptop, but I am no expert.
https://www.ebay.com.au/itm/Beelink-...edirect=mobile

[GILow]

Originally Posted by Simi 60

Have read many mini PC threads on here yet found nothing conclusive yet so am hoping for some current advice from users.

I'll start by saying I am not interested in a Mac and I don't think I am interested in raspberry pi.
I want something that replicates or preferably betters what I have at minimal outlay.

Currently, I run a compaq presario cq41 laptop running Linux mint plugged into a 23 inch ips monitor running opencpn and the new mini PC needs to do the same.
Apparently it runs an AMD sempron m120 2ghz single core processor but for what I use it for it seems adequate. I have given it an SSD and ram upgrade.
I want to retire the laptop for something smaller so as to free up bench space.

Of the myriad of mini PCs available on eBay, what's something that I should be looking at?
I was thinking something like this seems to be at least on par with what I have now in the laptop, but I am no expert.
https://www.ebay.com.au/itm/Beelink-...edirect=mobile

That’s what I have, running Windows 10. A very nicely made device but disk IO is slow, which is pretty typical of eMMC devices.

Very good bang for the buck I reckon.

[conachair]

Originally Posted by Simi 60

and I don't think I am interested in raspberry pi.

Any particular reason?
I msssed about with low power pc boards with not great success for a few years but the frist thing to reqlly work out of the box was openplotter on a pi2. On a Pi3 now and it just works straight away - just set up some data sources and off you go , does so much out of the box and plenty fast enough.

[Simi 60]

Originally Posted by conachair

Any particular reason?
I msssed about with low power pc boards with not great success for a few years but the frist thing to reqlly work out of the box was openplotter on a pi2. On a Pi3 now and it just works straight away - just set up some data sources and off you go , does so much out of the box and plenty fast enough.

Wanting to keep everything same same
I am well used to Linux mint now, don't want to learn another system.
That and I would be wanting the new device to do a bit more than just opencpn.
Download movies, email, interwebs , light photo editing etc
I think and could be mistaken that the pi could be a bit overwhelmed.

[conachair]

Originally Posted by Simi 60

Wanting to keep everything same same
I am well used to Linux mint now, don't want to learn another system.
That and I would be wanting the new device to do a bit more than just opencpn.
Download movies, email, interwebs , light photo editing etc
I think and could be mistaken that the pi could be a bit overwhelmed.

That makes sense, pi is great as a standalone media viewer but doing that and all the boat stuff at the same time would be asking a bit much.
(it is linux .)
Well worth loading signalk as well, does great things with all that boat data

[Simi 60]

Originally Posted by GILow

That’s what I have, running Windows 10. A very nicely made device but disk IO is slow, which is pretty typical of eMMC devices.

Very good bang for the buck I reckon.

Yeah after doing a bit more research I am thinking an actual SSD device might be a better match for me.
Catch is, they seem to get back up into laptop pricing again.

[Simi 60]

This could be the one.
Beelink BT3-X for $199 on eBay

According to their website it has a built in enclosure for up to 2tb SSD.
I have a 250gb Samsung evo laying around that may have just found a home.

http://www.bee-link.com/portal.php?m...d=131&mobile=2

[Reefmagnet]

Get an i3 Intel NUC. Bullet proof, plenty of power to do everyday tasks, will run either Windows or Linux, uses a "proper" hard disk (m2 or 2.5" - model dependent), fan cooled but quiet and will power directly off the 12 volt house supply. Bit pricey new and have to be purchased as components, but used ones can be picked up cheap and they'll still run for years.


For a multipurpose PC, I wouldn't bother with any lesser processing power. May as well get a tablet instead.

[Simi 60]

Originally Posted by Reefmagnet

Get an i3 Intel NUC. Bullet proof, plenty of power to do everyday tasks, will run either Windows or Linux, uses a "proper" hard disk (m2 or 2.5" - model dependent), fan cooled but quiet and will power directly off the 12 volt house supply. Bit pricey new and have to be purchased as components, but used ones can be picked up cheap and they'll still run for years.

.

Almost 3x the price
I'll stick with a laptop at that price thanks

]

For a multipurpose PC, I wouldn't bother with any lesser processing power. May as well get a tablet instead

Tablet won't plug into my 23 inch monitor, keyboard and won't let me use Linux mint

[Reefmagnet]

Originally Posted by Simi 60

Almost 3x the price
I'll stick with a laptop at that price thanks

]
Tablet won't plug into my 23 inch monitor, keyboard and won't let me use Linux mint

You're obviously an IT expert, but just in case you aren't aware, let me break the bad news to you. A new $300 laptop won't be worth it's weight in toilet paper.



But your choice.

[Simi 60]

Originally Posted by Reefmagnet

You're obviously an IT expert, but just in case you aren't aware, let me break the bad news to you. A new $300 laptop won't be worth it's weight in toilet paper.



But your choice.

You obviously didn't read the original post, I already have a laptop.

And, a few seconds search gets the following in a $299 laptop

HP Elitebook 8570p i5-3320m 2.67Ghz 8GB Ram 320GB HDD 15.6" Laptop Win 10 USB 3
https://www.ebay.com.au/itm/HP-Elite...edirect=mobile

A few seconds more, an i5 dell for $170
https://www.ebay.com.au/itm/Dell-E63...edirect=mobile

[Reefmagnet]

Originally Posted by Simi 60

You obviously didn't read the original post, I already have a laptop.

And, a few seconds search gets the following in a $299 laptop

HP Elitebook 8570p i5-3320m 2.67Ghz 8GB Ram 320GB HDD 15.6" Laptop Win 10 USB 3
https://www.ebay.com.au/itm/HP-Elite...edirect=mobile

Well you obviously didn't read my post about buying used. I purchased my 2 units second hand, both with 128GB SSD and 8 (maybe even 16) Gb RAM used for $300 total. One unit had never been deployed. One's loaded with Windows 7, the other with Mint (which I prefer). As my drowned ToughBook will attest, laptops aren't immune from leaping off tables and shelves to their doom in rough seas. A mini PC bolted to a bulkhead won't be anywhere near as prone to doing this.



For pure OpenCPN use, an RPi or Atom based fanless PC is fine. For more general purpose applications, you need something with more grunt. For reasons known only to myself, I have everything from the RPi to an i7 laptop, to an assortment of tablets on board but the NUC is my goto for general purpose use. Sure they're expensive if purchased new, but so is a laptop like a Toughbook or Dell XPS. They're expensive for a reason.

[Simi 60]

Originally Posted by Reefmagnet

Well you obviously didn't read my post about buying used. I purchased my 2 units second hand, both with 128GB SSD and 8 (maybe even 16) Gb RAM used for $300 total. .

Good for you but there is nothing even remotely close to that price on Gumtree or eBay and my chances of finding something for that price, from a reputable source and getting it delivered are about as likely as me catching a unicorn.

[Reefmagnet]

Originally Posted by Simi 60

Good for you but there is nothing even remotely close to that price on Gumtree or eBay and my chances of finding something for that price, from a reputable source and getting it delivered are about as likely as me catching a unicorn.

There's 13 used on ebay right now. How many you need?

[Simi 60]

Originally Posted by Reefmagnet

There's 13 used on ebay right now. How many you need?

Is there?
Not using nuc or i3 nuc in the search there isn't.


https://www.ebay.com.au/sch/i.html?_...h%2520Gen%252E