Contact | X10.com
Please login or register.

Login with username, password and session length

Author Topic: new PCs that might be useful for HA  (Read 3894 times)

dhouston

  • Advanced Member
  • Hero Member
  • ******
  • Helpful Post Rating: 37
  • Posts: 2547
    • davehouston.org
new PCs that might be useful for HA
« 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
Logged
This message was composed entirely from recycled letters of the alphabet using only renewable, caffeinated energy sources.
No twees, wabbits, chimps or whales died in the process.
https://www.laser.com/dhouston

Tuicemen

  • Administrator
  • Hero Member
  • ****
  • Helpful Post Rating: 283
  • Posts: 10509
  • I don't work for X10, I use it successfuly!
Re: new PCs that might be useful for HA
« Reply #1 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.
 >!

Logged
Please Read Topic:
General Forum Etiquette
Before you post!

dhouston

  • Advanced Member
  • Hero Member
  • ******
  • Helpful Post Rating: 37
  • Posts: 2547
    • davehouston.org
Re: new PCs that might be useful for HA
« Reply #2 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.
« Last Edit: January 07, 2015, 09:25:26 AM by dhouston »
Logged
This message was composed entirely from recycled letters of the alphabet using only renewable, caffeinated energy sources.
No twees, wabbits, chimps or whales died in the process.
https://www.laser.com/dhouston

dhouston

  • Advanced Member
  • Hero Member
  • ******
  • Helpful Post Rating: 37
  • Posts: 2547
    • davehouston.org
Re: new PCs that might be useful for HA
« Reply #3 on: January 10, 2015, 08:36:15 AM »
Logged
This message was composed entirely from recycled letters of the alphabet using only renewable, caffeinated energy sources.
No twees, wabbits, chimps or whales died in the process.
https://www.laser.com/dhouston

dhouston

  • Advanced Member
  • Hero Member
  • ******
  • Helpful Post Rating: 37
  • Posts: 2547
    • davehouston.org
Re: new PCs that might be useful for HA
« Reply #4 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
Logged
This message was composed entirely from recycled letters of the alphabet using only renewable, caffeinated energy sources.
No twees, wabbits, chimps or whales died in the process.
https://www.laser.com/dhouston

dhouston

  • Advanced Member
  • Hero Member
  • ******
  • Helpful Post Rating: 37
  • Posts: 2547
    • davehouston.org
Re: new PCs that might be useful for HA
« Reply #5 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
« Last Edit: February 02, 2015, 09:49:53 AM by dhouston »
Logged
This message was composed entirely from recycled letters of the alphabet using only renewable, caffeinated energy sources.
No twees, wabbits, chimps or whales died in the process.
https://www.laser.com/dhouston

dhouston

  • Advanced Member
  • Hero Member
  • ******
  • Helpful Post Rating: 37
  • Posts: 2547
    • davehouston.org
Re: new PCs that might be useful for HA
« Reply #6 on: April 10, 2015, 08:23:28 AM »
Logged
This message was composed entirely from recycled letters of the alphabet using only renewable, caffeinated energy sources.
No twees, wabbits, chimps or whales died in the process.
https://www.laser.com/dhouston

dhouston

  • Advanced Member
  • Hero Member
  • ******
  • Helpful Post Rating: 37
  • Posts: 2547
    • davehouston.org
Re: new PCs that might be useful for HA
« Reply #7 on: May 13, 2015, 09:50:44 AM »
Logged
This message was composed entirely from recycled letters of the alphabet using only renewable, caffeinated energy sources.
No twees, wabbits, chimps or whales died in the process.
https://www.laser.com/dhouston

Tuicemen

  • Administrator
  • Hero Member
  • ****
  • Helpful Post Rating: 283
  • Posts: 10509
  • I don't work for X10, I use it successfuly!
Re: new PCs that might be useful for HA
« Reply #8 on: May 13, 2015, 10:31:40 AM »
Wow!
nice find. >!
Logged
Please Read Topic:
General Forum Etiquette
Before you post!

Noam

  • Community Organizer
  • Hero Member
  • ***
  • Helpful Post Rating: 51
  • Posts: 2818
Re: new PCs that might be useful for HA
« Reply #9 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?
Logged
 

X10.com | About X10 | X10 Security Systems | Cameras| Package Deals
© Copyright 2014-2016 X10.com All rights reserved.