OS-free Quieter4C available

The popular fanless mini PC from MeLE is now shipping without the Windows tax for $139.99. This OS-free approach makes it particularly appealing for users who prefer to install their choice of open-source operating systems, such as Linux or FreeBSD, giving them full control over their computing environment, and avoiding unwanted bloatware. At its core, computing is freedom after all.

ZimaBoard 2 review

"On paper, the Zimaboard 2 looks like a promising fanless device as a mini low-cost NAS, soft router, and/or mini PC with two SATA ports and a PCIe slot not found on other systems in that price range. The pre-installed ZimaOS makes it easy to get started with file sharing and installing popular software packages like AdGuard Home, Home Assistant, OpenHAB, JellyFin, and so on. Low-level 2.5GbE and SATA performance were all as expected.

Sadly, there are also many flaws. While ZimaOS is easy to use with a web dashboard to handle every task, advanced users may find it limited as the rootfs is read-only and it lacks a package manager found on typical Linux distributions. I also found a few bugs here and there, such as the inability to play an MKV video in the Files app (MP4 was fine)

Although that’s understandable due to the fanless design and compact size, the Intel N150 is not fully utilized because of throttling during multi-core workloads, so it is slower than all Alder Lake-N systems (N97/N100) I have tested in most tests. The metal enclosure also gets very hot, up to 76°C, so you have to be careful when adding USB peripherals, and you may want to keep it out of reach of small kids."

Source: CNX Software Part 1, Part 2 

Pre-order the ZimaBoard 2

The ZimaBoard 2 is a compact, x86-based single board server that offers a versatile solution for home lab enthusiasts and those looking to build personal servers. It features an Intel N150 processor with four cores, dual 2.5 Gigabit Ethernet ports, and a PCIe 3.0 x4 slot for expandability, which allows for the addition of NVMe storage, faster networking cards, or other compatible peripherals. The device comes with built-in eMMC storage, available in 32GB or 64GB options, and supports up to 16GB of LPDDR5x memory, making it capable of handling various workloads. The ZimaBoard 2 runs on ZimaOS by default, which provides a user-friendly interface with Docker containerization capabilities for self-hosting applications, but its x86 architecture also allows for the installation of a wide range of other operating systems, including popular server and router distributions like TrueNAS, Proxmox, pfSense, and OpenWrt. The ZimaBoard 2 is priced from $199.00.

OnLogic Helix 525

The Helix 525 is a fanless hybrid industrial computer designed for demanding edge environments, particularly those requiring AI or advanced graphics processing in challenging conditions. The system's unique isolated expansion compartment can be configured with an NVIDIA MXM GPU.

https://www.onlogic.com/store/hx525/

OnLogic Helix 524

The Helix 524 is a fanless industrial computer designed for demanding edge environments requiring significant processing and graphical capabilities through PCIe expansion for discrete GPUs or other PCIe-based expansion. This system leverages Intel Core Ultra processing to deliver reliable performance in a wide range of automation applications.

https://www.onlogic.com/store/hx524/

OnLogic Helix 523

The Helix 523 is a fanless industrial computer designed for demanding edge environments requiring flexible I/O expansion. This system leverages Intel Core Ultra processing to deliver reliable performance while onboard dual ModBay expansion allows for a wide range of additional connectivity options.

https://www.onlogic.com/store/hx523/

OnLogic Helix 522

The Helix 522 is a fanless industrial computer designed for demanding edge environments. This system leverages Intel Core Ultra processing to deliver reliable performance and is configured with additional dual 2.5", hot-swappable storage drives.

https://www.onlogic.com/store/hx522/

OnLogic Helix 521

The Helix 521 is a fanless, low-profile industrial computer designed for automation applications and other demanding edge environments. This system leverages Intel Core Ultra processing to deliver powerful, reliable computing wherever you need it.

https://www.onlogic.com/store/hx521/

The HDMI king

The Maxtang SXRL-20 is a fanless, embedded mini-PC primarily designed for digital signage and multitasking environments, featuring an all-aluminum metal chassis for passive cooling and silent operation. This ultra-slim PC is powered by a 15W Intel Alder Lake-U processor. The SXRL-20 supports up to 64GB of dual-channel SO-DIMM DDR4 memory and provides expandable storage options through multiple M.2 slots for NVMe/SATA SSDs. A key feature is its extensive display connectivity, boasting four HDMI 2.0 outputs and an optional HDMI 2.0 input. The i5-1235U model is available from $429, while the i7-1255U barebone (featuring HDMI IN) starts at $469.

Maxtang SXRL-20 video review

Courtesy of Elevated Systems