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💬General Category => General Discussion => Topic started by: dhouston on January 05, 2015, 08:41:12 AM

Title: new PCs that might be useful for HA
Post by: dhouston on January 05, 2015, 08:41:12 AM

HP is introducing some mini PCs running Windows 8.1 that resemble the Mac Mini. They have relatively low power consumption and are priced as low as $180. They might be attractive for HA use.
http://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,2817,2474405,00.asp (http://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,2817,2474405,00.asp)

Title: Re: new PCs that might be useful for HA
Post by: Tuicemen on January 05, 2015, 09:26:13 AM

I think HP missed the boat with these as far as power consumption
HP has had small mini type PCs for some time though they were called thin clients.
These are about the same size and consume even less power. My current one uses 14 watts.
Users can find these used on eBay for under $50.
My current one I added a SSD drive and bumped the memory to 3 gigs and added Windows 8.1
I have several threads on my forum for small low powered PCs.
 >!

Title: Re: new PCs that might be useful for HA
Post by: dhouston on January 05, 2015, 07:19:44 PM

Quote from: Tuicemen on January 05, 2015, 09:26:13 AM

HP has had small mini type PCs for some time though they were called thin clients.

And, when new, the ones from HP cost 2-3 times as much as the new Mini plus they seldom included Windows. I'm aware of thin clients and even Plug computers but the new HP machines might appeal to those less inclined to live on the bleeding edge.

Plus, with Windows 8.1, it should be dead simple to use with Sling TV.

I think I'll spend $25 more to get a 500GB HDD and Vesa mounting (to mate with my TV) with a Lenovo Q190. It also has Windows 8.1, WiFi, HDMI, and ports galore, allowing for streaming Netflix, Amazon Prime, Sling TV, etc. via a browser. User reviews at Amazon are excellent. I already have a wireless USB keyboard/mousepad so I can control it from my recliner.

I'm not up to date on AHP as I refuse to contaminate my systems with any X10 software but, if it runs under Windows 8.1, others may find this an ideal Home Theater + Home Automation PC.

Title: Re: new PCs that might be useful for HA
Post by: dhouston on January 10, 2015, 08:36:15 AM

Here's another...
http://www.wxyz.com/news/national/intel-crams-entire-windows-pc-into-a-hdmi-cord (http://www.wxyz.com/news/national/intel-crams-entire-windows-pc-into-a-hdmi-cord)

Title: Re: new PCs that might be useful for HA
Post by: dhouston on January 22, 2015, 08:20:04 AM

I have the Lenovo Q190 w/500GB HDD connected to a 50" Vizio TV via HDMI and using a wireless KB/Trackpad. It connects to my LAN via WiFi. I'll discuss it further in the Home Theater Upgrade thread in the Entertainment Group.
http://forums.x10.com/index.php?topic=29045.msg162785#msg162785 (http://forums.x10.com/index.php?topic=29045.msg162785#msg162785)

Title: Re: new PCs that might be useful for HA
Post by: dhouston on February 02, 2015, 09:38:20 AM

The latest version of the Raspberry Pi (Pi 2 B) will support Windows 10 which certainly changes the equation.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-31088908 (http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-31088908)

Title: Re: new PCs that might be useful for HA
Post by: dhouston on April 10, 2015, 08:23:28 AM

There are even HDMI sticks that run Windows.
http://www.zdnet.com/article/the-best-hdmi-operating-system-sticks/ (http://www.zdnet.com/article/the-best-hdmi-operating-system-sticks/)

Title: Re: new PCs that might be useful for HA
Post by: dhouston on May 13, 2015, 09:50:44 AM

All the above are about to be blown away...
http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/innovations/wp/2015/05/13/how-a-9-computer-could-change-the-way-we-think-about-computing/

Title: Re: new PCs that might be useful for HA
Post by: Tuicemen on May 13, 2015, 10:31:40 AM

Wow!
nice find. >!

Title: Re: new PCs that might be useful for HA
Post by: Noam on May 27, 2015, 01:25:28 PM

Quote from: dhouston on May 13, 2015, 09:50:44 AM

All the above are about to be blown away...
http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/innovations/wp/2015/05/13/how-a-9-computer-could-change-the-way-we-think-about-computing/

Now, all you need to do is figure out how to use this for X10 control (easily), right?