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Title: Linux Mint ditches AMD for Intel with new Mintbox Mini 2
Source:
betanews
URL Source: https://betanews.com/2018/03/23/linux-mint-mintbox-mini-2/
Published: Mar 26, 2018
Author: Brian Fagioli
Post Date: 2018-03-26 18:29:00 by Willie Green
Keywords: None
Views: 1222
Comments: 6
While replacing Windows 10 with a Linux-based operating system is a fairly easy exercise, it shouldn’t be necessary. Look, if you want a computer running Linux, you should be able to buy that. Thankfully you can, as companies like System76 and Dell sell laptops and desktops with Ubuntu or Ubuntu-based operating systems. Another option? Buy a Mintbox! This is a diminutive desktop running Linux Mint — an Ubuntu-based OS. Today, the newest such variant — The Mintbox Mini 2 — makes an appearance. While the new model has several new aspects, the most significant is that the Linux Mint Team has switched from AMD to Intel (the original Mini used an A4-Micro 6400T). For $299, the Mintbox Mini 2 comes with a quad-core Intel Celeron J3455 processor, 4GB of RAM, and a 60GB SSD. For $50 more you can opt for the “Pro” model which doubles the RAM to 8GB and increases the SSD capacity to 120GB. You can manually upgrade to a maximum of 16GB of memory. Graphics are fairly anemic, as it uses integrated Intel HD 500, but come on — you shouldn’t expect to game with this thing. For video connectivity, you get both HDMI and Mini DisplayPort. Both can push 4K, and while the mini DP port can do 60Hz, the HDMI is limited to 30. ALSO READ: Linux Mint 19 'Tara' Cinnamon will be faster Bluetooth comes standard, as does dual-band 802.11ac (Intel 8260). There are two removable antennas, so you can easily replace or upgrade them if needed. Dual gigabit Ethernet is included on the rear for hardwired networking. Also on the back is a serial port and two USB 2.0 Type-A ports. What about connectivity on the front? The Linux Mint Team explains, “The front of the unit provides two USB 3.0 ports, audio and micro jacks and a microSD slot. The front also has two LEDs, which can be Green, Orange, Green and Orange or which can be turned OFF. This is done via GPIO. If you know how to program or you’re OK with bash scripting, you’ll be able to take full advantage of this and use these LEDs as indicators (for incoming emails, internal core temperature, updates available… etc).” The Mintbox Mini 2 should go on sale in June 2018. While both configurations should run Linux Mint like a champ, I would highly recommend spending the extra $50 for the “Pro” model. The additional memory alone is worth it, so the extra storage is just icing on the cake. You will be glad that you did. Poster Comment: Hmmmmm... Not that I need a new computer, but....
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#1. To: Willie Green (#0)
C'mon, this puny thing could never be as much fun as updating your little notebook with Win10. It might make a decent little Plex server box.
Hmmmmmm.... CPU comparison is about the same, although my netbook may be a tad faster clockspeed, the mintbox has more cores & supports slightly newer graphics standards... 4GB RAM -- same for both... 32GB eMMC HD vs 60GB SSD -- THIS is where my netbook is an anemic POS $199.00 at WalMart vs $299 somewhere else in June.... Hmmmmmmm...... Yeah... if you put it THAT way, it's not as tempting as I originally thought... If I didn't have occasional need for Win10, I could easily convert the netbook to Linux Mint for free & be ahead of the game... Oh well... Thanks for bringing me back to my senses... I guess I was just easily seduced by the tiny size of this "desktop" LOL!
Well, it might not be too bad if you spent the extra $50 for the 8GB RAM and bigger SSD. Then you might make a Plex media server out of it, all tiny and fast. Or a sweet little Linux box. I bet they sell some at that price point though. And the hardcore Mint fans would find the hardware and software support for it reassuring. And they get to support the hardware platform of their favorite distro in the process. So I can see why it might have strong appeal to a longtime Mint user like you.
The tinyness is cute but it isn't all that cost-effective. I noticed this comment on another forum: For the money, you could build a traditional Linux PC with a lot more power and room to install hard drives, video card, whatever. So you're paying for the tinyness of it, paying fairly dearly.
Yeah, that's the thing... My current desktop is still working well, but is technically "obsolete. And the processor is 2013 technology compared to 2016 for the mintbox mini.... So for the time being, it's good 'nuff for me.... but you can see why I have my eyes open for something better too... especially if the price is right.
I think the #1 buyers - almost the only buyers - for this box will be hardcore Mint users wanting to support the distro. And they get to be the cool kids among the Mint community for being supporters.
Hmmmmm... Not that I need a new computer, but...
#2. To: Tooconservative (#1)
C'mon, this puny thing could never be as much fun as updating your little notebook with Win10.
#3. To: Willie Green (#2)
#4. To: Willie Green (#2)
It's nice but for the price of $350 I could build a Ryzen 2200G [3.5GHz CPU, 8GB RAM, 480GB SSD] and actually play games on it. Actually, here's the parts list.
#5. To: Tooconservative (#4)
For the money, you could build a traditional Linux PC with a lot more power and room to install hard drives, video card, whatever.
But I already have 8GB RAM & 320 GB SATA 2.5 HD...
#6. To: Willie Green (#5)
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