6 ms·

A few of my friends and I are working on the design of a robust, portable computing form factor. After previously consdering various of the Gigabyte Brix Pro se

by jpt4 10y ago

A few of my friends and I are working on the design of a robust, portable computing form factor. After previously consdering various of the Gigabyte Brix Pro series, we settled on the Skull Canyon as the core of the ensemble, currently composed of: 1) Intel NUC Kit NUC6i7KYK 2) 32 (2 x 16) GiB DDR4 2133MHz RAM (G.SKILL Ripjaws) 3) 512 GB M.2 NVMe SSD (Samsung 950 Pro) 4) 9.7" 2048x1536 DisplayPort Monitor (Adafruit Qualia kit) 5) 104 key mechanical keyboard w/Cherry MX Blue switches (DAS Professional) Everything worked the first time it was plugged together, and now the system can run StarCraft II: LoTV with medium settings under Wine on Arch GNU/Linux. The next steps are to transform the output from a LiFePo4 motorcycle battery (via a DC-DC converter) to the correct voltage, furnish a case and smaller keyboard, and start testing/optimizing the setup in the field. Edit: The 45W TDP of the NUC6i7KYK was its main advantage when compared to discretely sourcing comparable or superior components for a mini-ITX build. Even after doubling the power draw to account for a screen, speakers, and additional cooling, two kilograms of lithium should provide two hours of roaming battery life (and weight minimization is low on our priority list).

gm-conspiracy 10y ago
Pics? Please.
- jpt4 10y ago
  A picture of the initial set-up and first boot from USB: https://github.com/jpt4/cots/blob/master/IMG_20160522_053135023_HDR.jpg https://github.com/jpt4/cots/blob/master/IMG_20160522_053135...
  - gm-conspiracy 10y ago
    Keep up the good werk!
kogepathic 10y ago
> 4) 9.7" 2048x1536 DisplayPort Monitor (Adafruit Qualia kit) That monitor is horribly overpriced for what you get. The LCD can be purchased in QTY 1 from AliExpress for $25 USD with free shipping to almost anywhere in the world. [1] A guy in Japan makes a DP board which is better than the Adafruit one and which you can buy for about $40 USD shipped from Japan (3,500 JPY + 800 JPY shipping). [2] I've bought 5 so far and they all work great. One was DOA but the seller kindly shipped me a replacement free of charge. It's also 5V powered, so you can power it directly from the computer using a USB cable, no need for an extra 9V (seriously, 9V. why?) power supply. You can easily laser cut a stand from plywood or lexan to mount the LCD. Or, you can buy the actual iPad aluminium housing ($22 + $8 for the digitizer glass) and mount the adapter on the back. It really bothers me that Adafruit is selling that kit for $225 when you can build one yourself for well under $100. Their profit margins must be insane. [1] http://www.aliexpress.com/wholesale?catId=0&initiative_id=SB_20160615051558&SearchText=LP097qx1 http://www.aliexpress.com/wholesale?catId=0&initiative_id=SB... (If the link is broken, just search AliExpress for the LP097QX1) [2] http://abusemark.com/store/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=3&products_id=47&zenid=lcgtihp4gkkl5a14ub8tic3c45 http://abusemark.com/store/index.php?main_page=product_info&...
- coredog64 10y ago
  I've made one as well (using the iPad housing). The most difficult part is mounting the adapter on the back: The cable from the panel is somewhat short and I had to pay an extortionate price to get the right size standoffs that were short enough not to stress the cable. It would be helpful if someone published the slot location/dimensions (hint, hint). When I started, I emailed Adafruit about selling the stand separate from the kit. They mentioned they'd take it under advisement, and that was the end of it.
  - jpt4 10y ago
    I take it a CAD model of the stand parts would satisfy your hinted desire?
- deleted 10y ago
  [deleted]
- fhood 10y ago
  I am sure that most people are aware of how overpriced adafruit is. I still use them when I prototype because they test their products, their website is a fun place to visit, and they tend to support their products with tutorials. If I want 50 of something I would never use adafruit, but for individual items I am fine with supporting them.
- squeaky-clean 10y ago
  Thanks for this info, I know Adafruit is overpriced, but had no idea where to go about doing it myself. Why do both drivers have this warning? What would make it not work with an HDMI adapter, and is there any way to somehow use this with an HDMI output? > Just to make sure this is very clear, this adapter will NOT work with HDMI connectors, will NOT work with HDMI to DisplayPort adapters (passive or active)
  - kogepathic 10y ago
    > Why do both drivers have this warning? Because the LCD is an eDP (embedded DisplayPort) LCD, both Adafruit and Abusemark boards are only breakout boards to turn the FPC connection into a mini/DisplayPort port. > What would make it not work with an HDMI adapter Unlike a normal desktop monitor, which has a PCB inside with a chip that accepts a variety of inputs and drives the display in its native format (LVDS or eDP) [1], these adapters lack that. They rely on the controller inside the LP097QX1 LCD itself, which only speaks eDP because it's designed to be used in tablets which output eDP. You cannot drive the LCD at any resolution other than 2048x1536@60Hz. The LCD doesn't support any other resolution or refresh rates. > and is there any way to somehow use this with an HDMI output? No. [1] http://www.tarduino.cc/2014/10/dell-ultrasharp-24-ultra-hd-monitor.html http://www.tarduino.cc/2014/10/dell-ultrasharp-24-ultra-hd-m...
PascLeRasc 10y ago
like this? http://imgur.com/a/ee2hX http://imgur.com/a/ee2hX If you don't mind the size, you could save a ton of travel space with a 60% mech board like the Poker. You could easily fit all of that into a backpack closed, but I don't know about the Das fitting in.
- gambiting 10y ago
  That is absolutely amazing, I love miniature computers like this! What's in it?
  - dajohnson89 10y ago
    System76 sells mini computers with Ubunutu preinstalled. I've been using the Meerkat for quite awhile, and love it. https://system76.com/desktops https://system76.com/desktops
    - fapjacks 10y ago
      These companies selling Ubuntu machines are still charging more for the hardware than someone else selling the same thing with Windows installed. The reason I want to buy a machine with Ubuntu installed is because I don't want to be forced to pay $99 for a MS license. But that doesn't mean I want to pay someone else $199 to install Ubuntu. Building a machine from parts from NewEgg gets you a machine without Windows installed, without paying $99 or $199 for OS installation, doesn't take very much time or knowledge, and also helps NewEgg fight patent trolls.
      - gambiting 10y ago
        On the other hand, I am happy to pay for a machine that I know will work perfectly with Ubuntu. I have neither time nor patience with broken linux installations, if a company can guarantee a set of hardware that works under Ubuntu(or any other distro) would be happy to pay for it.
        10y ago
growt 10y ago
What are you trying to do with that setup?
- illegalsmile 10y ago
  That's my question too.. How is this any better than my toughbook that's similarly spec'd but designed and tested for years?
  - jpt4 10y ago
    In a phrase, I want to increase the density of my personal computing platforms: as small, powerful, and self-contained as feasible. I fear I am radically out of date with the Toughbook series if they now include i7 processors and 2K resolution screens. Do you have a model in mind to which I could compare my project?
- jpt4 10y ago
  1) Replace my heavy but relatively delicate four year old Asus gaming laptop with a solid state machine that can be packed in a Pelican case and dropped down the stairs without concern. 2) Try my hand at hardware a bit below the metalshop, a bit beyond Arduino.
  - growt 10y ago
    Thanks for the reply. I just thought that 32gb ram and linux is an odd choice for a gaming (only) machine. But the do-it-yourself side of it is something I can relate to :)
triangleman 10y ago
This would run faster natively on Windows rather than Wine, right?
- kbenson 10y ago
  I think maybe they included the Starcraft II reference as a way to gauge performance, not as the primary purpose of the systems. That said, apparently Wine performance loss is quite variable and ranges from negligible to quite large, depending on drivers and what actions the program is attempting (because not all syscalls that are proxies have direct equivalents, or may be as fast, but also may be faster, etc). But I haven't used Wine in a long time.
- jpt4 10y ago
  No doubt. SCII:LotV is the most graphically intense game I run on a regular basis, and my personal performance benchmark. If it didn't work, I would lose trust in the overall capabilities of the system.

by jpt4 10y ago

gm-conspiracy 10y ago

Pics? Please.

jpt4 10y ago
A picture of the initial set-up and first boot from USB: https://github.com/jpt4/cots/blob/master/IMG_20160522_053135023_HDR.jpg https://github.com/jpt4/cots/blob/master/IMG_20160522_053135...
- gm-conspiracy 10y ago
  Keep up the good werk!

kogepathic 10y ago

> 4) 9.7" 2048x1536 DisplayPort Monitor (Adafruit Qualia kit) That monitor is horribly overpriced for what you get. The LCD can be purchased in QTY 1 from AliExpress for $25 USD with free shipping to almost anywhere in the world. [1] A guy in Japan makes a DP board which is better than the Adafruit one and which you can buy for about $40 USD shipped from Japan (3,500 JPY + 800 JPY shipping). [2] I've bought 5 so far and they all work great. One was DOA but the seller kindly shipped me a replacement free of charge. It's also 5V powered, so you can power it directly from the computer using a USB cable, no need for an extra 9V (seriously, 9V. why?) power supply. You can easily laser cut a stand from plywood or lexan to mount the LCD. Or, you can buy the actual iPad aluminium housing ($22 + $8 for the digitizer glass) and mount the adapter on the back. It really bothers me that Adafruit is selling that kit for $225 when you can build one yourself for well under $100. Their profit margins must be insane. [1] http://www.aliexpress.com/wholesale?catId=0&initiative_id=SB_20160615051558&SearchText=LP097qx1 http://www.aliexpress.com/wholesale?catId=0&initiative_id=SB... (If the link is broken, just search AliExpress for the LP097QX1) [2] http://abusemark.com/store/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=3&products_id=47&zenid=lcgtihp4gkkl5a14ub8tic3c45 http://abusemark.com/store/index.php?main_page=product_info&...

coredog64 10y ago
I've made one as well (using the iPad housing). The most difficult part is mounting the adapter on the back: The cable from the panel is somewhat short and I had to pay an extortionate price to get the right size standoffs that were short enough not to stress the cable. It would be helpful if someone published the slot location/dimensions (hint, hint). When I started, I emailed Adafruit about selling the stand separate from the kit. They mentioned they'd take it under advisement, and that was the end of it.
- jpt4 10y ago
  I take it a CAD model of the stand parts would satisfy your hinted desire?
deleted 10y ago
[deleted]
fhood 10y ago
I am sure that most people are aware of how overpriced adafruit is. I still use them when I prototype because they test their products, their website is a fun place to visit, and they tend to support their products with tutorials. If I want 50 of something I would never use adafruit, but for individual items I am fine with supporting them.
squeaky-clean 10y ago
Thanks for this info, I know Adafruit is overpriced, but had no idea where to go about doing it myself. Why do both drivers have this warning? What would make it not work with an HDMI adapter, and is there any way to somehow use this with an HDMI output? > Just to make sure this is very clear, this adapter will NOT work with HDMI connectors, will NOT work with HDMI to DisplayPort adapters (passive or active)
- kogepathic 10y ago
  > Why do both drivers have this warning? Because the LCD is an eDP (embedded DisplayPort) LCD, both Adafruit and Abusemark boards are only breakout boards to turn the FPC connection into a mini/DisplayPort port. > What would make it not work with an HDMI adapter Unlike a normal desktop monitor, which has a PCB inside with a chip that accepts a variety of inputs and drives the display in its native format (LVDS or eDP) [1], these adapters lack that. They rely on the controller inside the LP097QX1 LCD itself, which only speaks eDP because it's designed to be used in tablets which output eDP. You cannot drive the LCD at any resolution other than 2048x1536@60Hz. The LCD doesn't support any other resolution or refresh rates. > and is there any way to somehow use this with an HDMI output? No. [1] http://www.tarduino.cc/2014/10/dell-ultrasharp-24-ultra-hd-monitor.html http://www.tarduino.cc/2014/10/dell-ultrasharp-24-ultra-hd-m...

PascLeRasc 10y ago

like this? http://imgur.com/a/ee2hX http://imgur.com/a/ee2hX If you don't mind the size, you could save a ton of travel space with a 60% mech board like the Poker. You could easily fit all of that into a backpack closed, but I don't know about the Das fitting in.

gambiting 10y ago
That is absolutely amazing, I love miniature computers like this! What's in it?
- dajohnson89 10y ago
  System76 sells mini computers with Ubunutu preinstalled. I've been using the Meerkat for quite awhile, and love it. https://system76.com/desktops https://system76.com/desktops
  - fapjacks 10y ago
    These companies selling Ubuntu machines are still charging more for the hardware than someone else selling the same thing with Windows installed. The reason I want to buy a machine with Ubuntu installed is because I don't want to be forced to pay $99 for a MS license. But that doesn't mean I want to pay someone else $199 to install Ubuntu. Building a machine from parts from NewEgg gets you a machine without Windows installed, without paying $99 or $199 for OS installation, doesn't take very much time or knowledge, and also helps NewEgg fight patent trolls.
    - gambiting 10y ago
      On the other hand, I am happy to pay for a machine that I know will work perfectly with Ubuntu. I have neither time nor patience with broken linux installations, if a company can guarantee a set of hardware that works under Ubuntu(or any other distro) would be happy to pay for it.
      - 10y ago

growt 10y ago

What are you trying to do with that setup?

illegalsmile 10y ago
That's my question too.. How is this any better than my toughbook that's similarly spec'd but designed and tested for years?
- jpt4 10y ago
  In a phrase, I want to increase the density of my personal computing platforms: as small, powerful, and self-contained as feasible. I fear I am radically out of date with the Toughbook series if they now include i7 processors and 2K resolution screens. Do you have a model in mind to which I could compare my project?
jpt4 10y ago
1) Replace my heavy but relatively delicate four year old Asus gaming laptop with a solid state machine that can be packed in a Pelican case and dropped down the stairs without concern. 2) Try my hand at hardware a bit below the metalshop, a bit beyond Arduino.
- growt 10y ago
  Thanks for the reply. I just thought that 32gb ram and linux is an odd choice for a gaming (only) machine. But the do-it-yourself side of it is something I can relate to :)

triangleman 10y ago

This would run faster natively on Windows rather than Wine, right?

kbenson 10y ago
I think maybe they included the Starcraft II reference as a way to gauge performance, not as the primary purpose of the systems. That said, apparently Wine performance loss is quite variable and ranges from negligible to quite large, depending on drivers and what actions the program is attempting (because not all syscalls that are proxies have direct equivalents, or may be as fast, but also may be faster, etc). But I haven't used Wine in a long time.
jpt4 10y ago
No doubt. SCII:LotV is the most graphically intense game I run on a regular basis, and my personal performance benchmark. If it didn't work, I would lose trust in the overall capabilities of the system.