5 ms·

Could you share a link, then? The prices I've seen for the Intel NUCs are more like $100+, even used, compared to $30 for the cheapest Raspberry Pi 4.

tyingq 6y ago
Used Chromeboxes are inexpensive, and pretty close to a NUC other than the BIOS. But, people have figured out how to get them to boot Linux, Windows, etc, now. There's also pretty nice used USFF boxes from Lenovo, HP and Dell: https://www.servethehome.com/introducing-project-tinyminimicro-home-lab-revolution/ https://www.servethehome.com/introducing-project-tinyminimic... The older ones, like a Lenovo M72 tiny, can be really inexpensive. To me, they aren't always a better fit than an Rpi, but they often are.
NortySpock 6y ago
On eBay I've been seeing off-lease and refurbished small-form-factor (SFF) computers for around $100... Well, it's a Pentium 4 with 2GB DDR2 RAM... You may wish to search around a bit. https://www.ebay.com/itm/Dell-Optiplex-745-PC-SFF-Desktop-Intel-Pentium-4-3-2GHz-2GB-250GB-HD-Win-7-COA/324314937118 https://www.ebay.com/itm/Dell-Optiplex-745-PC-SFF-Desktop-In... HP T620 workstation ~$45 plus shipping? https://www.ebay.com/itm/HP-T620-Dual-Core-AMD-Gx217Ga-1-65GHz-4GB-RAM-Radeon-HD-16GB-SATA-Flash-Drive/203273223841 https://www.ebay.com/itm/HP-T620-Dual-Core-AMD-Gx217Ga-1-65G...
- vardump 6y ago
  I'm pretty sure Raspberry Pi 4 is more powerful (both CPU and GPU wise) than either one of those.
  - deno 6y ago
    GPU is more powerful, CPU is comparable. Similar power usage. OTOH RP4 doesn’t have builtin SSD, you need additional case, additional heat sink if you plan to actually use it for CPU, and it’s not x86. Some also take PCIe cards without extra boards/hacks. If you don’t need GPIO ports and just want a low power server/appliance then thin clients are still much better option. I use them for VoIP, HomeAssistant etc.
  - ekianjo 6y ago
    > Raspberry Pi 4 We can easily compare that on Linux with benchmarks. I'd say at the same price point for used x86, x86 is still much faster.
- deno 6y ago
  I have installed bunch of T620, they’re great. There’s also 4c version with AMD GX-415GA for ~60USD. If you need PCIe check out Fujtsu Futro s920[1]. You can fit a low profile network card with a 5USD riser. About <100 USD where I buy them. [1] https://hejdom.pl/blog/22-home-assistant/208-home-assistant-sprzet-fujitsu-futro-s920.html https://hejdom.pl/blog/22-home-assistant/208-home-assistant-...

tyingq 6y ago

Used Chromeboxes are inexpensive, and pretty close to a NUC other than the BIOS. But, people have figured out how to get them to boot Linux, Windows, etc, now. There's also pretty nice used USFF boxes from Lenovo, HP and Dell: https://www.servethehome.com/introducing-project-tinyminimicro-home-lab-revolution/ https://www.servethehome.com/introducing-project-tinyminimic... The older ones, like a Lenovo M72 tiny, can be really inexpensive. To me, they aren't always a better fit than an Rpi, but they often are.

NortySpock 6y ago

On eBay I've been seeing off-lease and refurbished small-form-factor (SFF) computers for around $100... Well, it's a Pentium 4 with 2GB DDR2 RAM... You may wish to search around a bit. https://www.ebay.com/itm/Dell-Optiplex-745-PC-SFF-Desktop-Intel-Pentium-4-3-2GHz-2GB-250GB-HD-Win-7-COA/324314937118 https://www.ebay.com/itm/Dell-Optiplex-745-PC-SFF-Desktop-In... HP T620 workstation ~$45 plus shipping? https://www.ebay.com/itm/HP-T620-Dual-Core-AMD-Gx217Ga-1-65GHz-4GB-RAM-Radeon-HD-16GB-SATA-Flash-Drive/203273223841 https://www.ebay.com/itm/HP-T620-Dual-Core-AMD-Gx217Ga-1-65G...

vardump 6y ago
I'm pretty sure Raspberry Pi 4 is more powerful (both CPU and GPU wise) than either one of those.
- deno 6y ago
  GPU is more powerful, CPU is comparable. Similar power usage. OTOH RP4 doesn’t have builtin SSD, you need additional case, additional heat sink if you plan to actually use it for CPU, and it’s not x86. Some also take PCIe cards without extra boards/hacks. If you don’t need GPIO ports and just want a low power server/appliance then thin clients are still much better option. I use them for VoIP, HomeAssistant etc.
- ekianjo 6y ago
  > Raspberry Pi 4 We can easily compare that on Linux with benchmarks. I'd say at the same price point for used x86, x86 is still much faster.
deno 6y ago
I have installed bunch of T620, they’re great. There’s also 4c version with AMD GX-415GA for ~60USD. If you need PCIe check out Fujtsu Futro s920[1]. You can fit a low profile network card with a 5USD riser. About <100 USD where I buy them. [1] https://hejdom.pl/blog/22-home-assistant/208-home-assistant-sprzet-fujitsu-futro-s920.html https://hejdom.pl/blog/22-home-assistant/208-home-assistant-...