I have this one. It's suitable for education. I use a lot of Internet resources, such as the Samplius essay platform, to do my tasks on Mice and Men, for example. I can say that this device is fast for https://samplius.com/free-essay-examples/of-mice-a... usage. I think that it's enough for students.
How many schools need something like this? Or businesses?
I got a banana pi for $35 from Amazon shipped. It fits in my hand and uses 1-2W of power! The chrome desktop PCs ASUS sells are similar size, just $150...
Anyone that needs something for digital signage/gambling should be able to get their needs met by the quad-core Orange pi...
Are the Banana and Orange pi computers x86/x64 though? If not, that's probably the reason why schools and business aren't currently busying them in droves.
VGA? I thought that was supposed to be finally phased out last year.
Not really seeing a whole lot of point to this. So it's 1.7" shorter on a side than Mini-ITX, woo. Has part on Intel run out of things to do with the lack of competition from AMD? "I'm bored, what do you want to do?" "I know! Let's introduce a kinda pointless new form factor and see if we can get it to anywhere!"
For mid-sized DIY NASes (eg 2-6x 3.5 drives drives), something at an intermediate size would be nice (although obviously this one doesn't have the right IO). NUC systems are generally only 1 sata port; but an mITX board is enough larger than a removable drive sled that it ends up being the item that controls the overall build size.
I thought the idea was redundant but if someone wants to squeeze it and make it smaller, one has to remove PCIe and use smaller RAM of the mini-ITX which results to this form factor. Mobile parts lacked in TDP. The Power Adapter is a weakness though as I believe IT departments of Education or Business wouldn't bother for a separate part which can be easily lost or stolen.
The current AC/DC bricks do about 90% efficiency. DC gets more inefficient the longer it has to travel, so individual bricks are way better. Also, think of how thick or numerous the cabling will have to get, if you plan on running a bunch of them from one power unit.
DC itself doesnt get more efficient, than AC, over long runs of wires. It is actually MORE efficient, because of the skin effect.
It is, however, commonly (mistakenly) thought of that way, though, because DC systems are typically a lot lower voltage than common AC systems, so the current must be higher which means bigger cables or more loss.
"It is also worth noting that to use the VGA connector, there seems to be a long cable from that odd port next to the DRAM to the VGA connector on the rear." Nope. The cable is going to a connector mounted to the back panel above the VGA connector. Considering the "COM1" silkscreen next to "that odd port", it's most likely a RS232 DB-9.
Did you not read the article? NUC is mobile parts, and soldered in CPU. This offers a socketed processor with the flexibility for integrators to easily offer a scaled product line.
As for the other devices, I don't think Gigabyte or Zotac will be too willing to let Asrock build a Brix or a Z-Box. Beebox is just another NUC.
I'm always excited for smaller platforms. ITX was just a breakthrough in microcomputing when it was introduced, and considering ASRock even made an X99 ITX board, creativity for the platform never ceases to amaze me.
Which is just the problem. What real benefits does shrinking the motherboard 1.7" have over ITX? Is there really a need for something to fit in between the NUC and the ITX standards? STX losses PCIe x16, full-size DIMMS and a variety of other expansion to shave off less than 2".
This almost seems like a move for Intel to push their IGP's harder by limiting graphics expansion, but that'd be a hell of a conspiracy.
I guess what I'm saying is, why not just make low-profile ITX boards if that's what STX is trying to accomplish with the embedded market.
To those who cannot see a reason for this new board, I submit a paragraph from G. K. Chesterton's 'The Thing':
In the matter of reforming things, as distinct from deforming them, there is one plain and simple principle; a principle which will probably be called a paradox. There exists in such a case a certain institution or law; let us say, for the sake of simplicity, a fence or gate erected across a road. The more modern type of reformer goes gaily up to it and says, “I don’t see the use of this; let us clear it away.” To which the more intelligent type of reformer will do well to answer: “If you don’t see the use of it, I certainly won’t let you clear it away. Go away and think. Then, when you can come back and tell me that you do see the use of it, I may allow you to destroy it.
So cant you just use something like a Thin Mini-ITX which is only slightly smaller and do the same thing? How come that did not sell like hot cakes? http://b2b.gigabyte.com/products/product-page.aspx... You could buy something like an Intel NUC but maybe people dont like those weak underclocked mobile CPU's they keep trying to sell.
One of the biggest drawbacks with MINI-ITX was the space taken up by the power supply. Plus if you want to do gaming you need a big powerful video card. Thin Mini ITX seemed to be kept hidden and unavailable to most people.
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28 Comments
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phoenix_rizzen - Thursday, January 21, 2016 - link
First paragraph:"... that also had a socked processor."
Guess that should be "socketed"?
nathanddrews - Thursday, January 21, 2016 - link
No, it has a dedicated socket secure processor. ;-)AnnParker - Wednesday, July 29, 2020 - link
I have this one. It's suitable for education. I use a lot of Internet resources, such as the Samplius essay platform, to do my tasks on Mice and Men, for example. I can say that this device is fast for https://samplius.com/free-essay-examples/of-mice-a... usage. I think that it's enough for students.romrunning - Thursday, January 21, 2016 - link
For that USB-C header, will it support USB 3.1 Gen 2 speeds?DanNeely - Sunday, January 24, 2016 - link
Doubtful. These appear to be positioned for low end buyers for whom the NUC's mobile CPUs were too severe a performance compromise.lordmocha - Tuesday, March 29, 2016 - link
You would hope all of these boards come with TB3 so a user could use an external GPU if required.lordmocha - Tuesday, March 29, 2016 - link
The ASRock H110M-STX only has a USB 3.0 (USB 3.1 Gen 1) for the Type-C port unfortunately.ddriver - Thursday, January 21, 2016 - link
Now if you just replaced that tall USB/LAN header with individual shorter ones, and use tilted sockets for the memory.webdoctors - Friday, January 22, 2016 - link
How many schools need something like this? Or businesses?I got a banana pi for $35 from Amazon shipped. It fits in my hand and uses 1-2W of power! The chrome desktop PCs ASUS sells are similar size, just $150...
Anyone that needs something for digital signage/gambling should be able to get their needs met by the quad-core Orange pi...
AndrewJacksonZA - Friday, January 22, 2016 - link
Are the Banana and Orange pi computers x86/x64 though? If not, that's probably the reason why schools and business aren't currently busying them in droves.AndrewJacksonZA - Friday, January 22, 2016 - link
*a reason, not the reason.ShieTar - Friday, January 22, 2016 - link
Those are not, but the Intel Galileo is. But I would not want to run Windows + Office-Software on what is effectively a 400MHz single core Pentium 1.A Skylake Pentium G4400 in the STX-Board described here will handle those tasks without problems though.
fluxtatic - Friday, January 22, 2016 - link
VGA? I thought that was supposed to be finally phased out last year.Not really seeing a whole lot of point to this. So it's 1.7" shorter on a side than Mini-ITX, woo. Has part on Intel run out of things to do with the lack of competition from AMD? "I'm bored, what do you want to do?" "I know! Let's introduce a kinda pointless new form factor and see if we can get it to anywhere!"
DanNeely - Friday, January 22, 2016 - link
For mid-sized DIY NASes (eg 2-6x 3.5 drives drives), something at an intermediate size would be nice (although obviously this one doesn't have the right IO). NUC systems are generally only 1 sata port; but an mITX board is enough larger than a removable drive sled that it ends up being the item that controls the overall build size.zodiacfml - Friday, January 22, 2016 - link
I thought the idea was redundant but if someone wants to squeeze it and make it smaller, one has to remove PCIe and use smaller RAM of the mini-ITX which results to this form factor. Mobile parts lacked in TDP. The Power Adapter is a weakness though as I believe IT departments of Education or Business wouldn't bother for a separate part which can be easily lost or stolen.vithrell - Friday, January 22, 2016 - link
Maybe it would be good idea to lay parallel power line with 12V for all PC with one central and efficient power adapter?meacupla - Friday, January 22, 2016 - link
The current AC/DC bricks do about 90% efficiency.DC gets more inefficient the longer it has to travel, so individual bricks are way better.
Also, think of how thick or numerous the cabling will have to get, if you plan on running a bunch of them from one power unit.
extide - Friday, January 22, 2016 - link
DC itself doesnt get more efficient, than AC, over long runs of wires. It is actually MORE efficient, because of the skin effect.It is, however, commonly (mistakenly) thought of that way, though, because DC systems are typically a lot lower voltage than common AC systems, so the current must be higher which means bigger cables or more loss.
extide - Friday, January 22, 2016 - link
Sorry that was supposed to be, "DC itself doesnt get more in-efficient, than AC, over long runs of wires."ShieTar - Friday, January 22, 2016 - link
Better yet, run a 48V line from your solar array through your entire house, and just equip your electronics with highly efficient DC-DC converters.ArtForz - Friday, January 22, 2016 - link
"It is also worth noting that to use the VGA connector, there seems to be a long cable from that odd port next to the DRAM to the VGA connector on the rear."Nope. The cable is going to a connector mounted to the back panel above the VGA connector. Considering the "COM1" silkscreen next to "that odd port", it's most likely a RS232 DB-9.
nos024 - Friday, January 22, 2016 - link
So...what is the point of this? Just buy a NUC/Brix/Zotac/Beebox?jardows2 - Friday, January 22, 2016 - link
Did you not read the article? NUC is mobile parts, and soldered in CPU. This offers a socketed processor with the flexibility for integrators to easily offer a scaled product line.As for the other devices, I don't think Gigabyte or Zotac will be too willing to let Asrock build a Brix or a Z-Box. Beebox is just another NUC.
Samus - Saturday, January 23, 2016 - link
I'm always excited for smaller platforms. ITX was just a breakthrough in microcomputing when it was introduced, and considering ASRock even made an X99 ITX board, creativity for the platform never ceases to amaze me.Which is just the problem. What real benefits does shrinking the motherboard 1.7" have over ITX? Is there really a need for something to fit in between the NUC and the ITX standards? STX losses PCIe x16, full-size DIMMS and a variety of other expansion to shave off less than 2".
This almost seems like a move for Intel to push their IGP's harder by limiting graphics expansion, but that'd be a hell of a conspiracy.
I guess what I'm saying is, why not just make low-profile ITX boards if that's what STX is trying to accomplish with the embedded market.
HL King - Saturday, January 30, 2016 - link
To those who cannot see a reason for this new board, I submit a paragraph from G. K. Chesterton's 'The Thing':In the matter of reforming things, as distinct from deforming them, there is one plain and simple principle; a principle which will probably be called a paradox. There exists in such a case a certain institution or law; let us say, for the sake of simplicity, a fence or gate erected across a road. The more modern type of reformer goes gaily up to it and says, “I don’t see the use of this; let us clear it away.” To which the more intelligent type of reformer will do well to answer: “If you don’t see the use of it, I certainly won’t let you clear it away. Go away and think. Then, when you can come back and tell me that you do see the use of it, I may allow you to destroy it.
piasabird - Saturday, June 11, 2016 - link
So cant you just use something like a Thin Mini-ITX which is only slightly smaller and do the same thing? How come that did not sell like hot cakes? http://b2b.gigabyte.com/products/product-page.aspx... You could buy something like an Intel NUC but maybe people dont like those weak underclocked mobile CPU's they keep trying to sell.piasabird - Wednesday, October 12, 2016 - link
One of the biggest drawbacks with MINI-ITX was the space taken up by the power supply. Plus if you want to do gaming you need a big powerful video card. Thin Mini ITX seemed to be kept hidden and unavailable to most people.Zondiar - Tuesday, September 24, 2019 - link
Nice