Mini PC

B

Blackhatch

New Member
If I were outfitting several offices that don't do a bunch of program specific processing (most accessing cloud stuff and maybe doing some document modifications), would these work.

I want to run Open Office so that we can just build everything in that system and it work seamlessly but I have no experience with this minis.

What OS are most of them running? Do they run a tablet (android OS)?

Thanks.
 
What mini-pc are you referring to?

When I hear the term mini-pc, I think of an Android based "stick" that plugs into the HDMI port of a TV. Something like this: http://www.amazon.com/Rikomagic-Android-Rockchip-RK3066-1-6Ghz/dp/B00A0I4YJK/ref=pd_sim_pc_37

However, there's also the mini ITX PCs which run Windows. They tend to be more expensive but also more powerful.

An ITX system would be able to run OpenOffice but, to my knowledge, there is no Android version of OpenOffice. There are some decent MS compatible office suites that run on Android, Kingsoft Office is a free one that I have installed on my Android devices.
 
How many computers are we talking?
You can build an APU machine that'll process Word, Excel etc without any problems.
Can be done for below $350 including a Windows license per machine.
These will support multiple monitors per default.

What kind of budget and numbers are we looking at here?
 
strollin said:
What mini-pc are you referring to?

When I hear the term mini-pc, I think of an Android based "stick" that plugs into the HDMI port of a TV. Something like this: http://www.amazon.com/Rikomagic-Android-Rockchip-RK3066-1-6Ghz/dp/B00A0I4YJK/ref=pd_sim_pc_37

However, there's also the mini ITX PCs which run Windows. They tend to be more expensive but also more powerful.

An ITX system would be able to run OpenOffice but, to my knowledge, there is no Android version of OpenOffice. There are some decent MS compatible office suites that run on Android, Kingsoft Office is a free one that I have installed on my Android devices.
Click to expand...

I was thinking of something like this: http://www.amazon.com/Zotac-Dual-Core-Barebone-Mini-PC-ZBOXSD-ID12/dp/B004ZKP45C/ref=sr_1_3?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1373821726&sr=1-3&keywords=mini+pc


Does the Mini PC just run a standard OS? Does it come pre-loaded with a Windows OS.

I was just trying to create some seamlessness across the platforms.

http://forum.openoffice.org/en/forum/viewtopic.php?f=49&t=58935



Jiniix said:
How many computers are we talking?
You can build an APU machine that'll process Word, Excel etc without any problems.
Can be done for below $350 including a Windows license per machine.
These will support multiple monitors per default.

What kind of budget and numbers are we looking at here?
Click to expand...

Probably about 12 units to get one in each office.
 
That one you linked to can run Linux or Windows but does NOT come with the OS.

The Android based min-PCs come with Android OS already installed.
 
Blackhatch said:
I was thinking of something like this: http://www.amazon.com/Zotac-Dual-Core-Barebone-Mini-PC-ZBOXSD-ID12/dp/B004ZKP45C/ref=sr_1_3?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1373821726&sr=1-3&keywords=mini+pc


Does the Mini PC just run a standard OS? Does it come pre-loaded with a Windows OS.

I was just trying to create some seamlessness across the platforms.

http://forum.openoffice.org/en/forum/viewtopic.php?f=49&t=58935





Probably about 12 units to get one in each office.
Click to expand...

No OS come with that. You can install Linux.
I don't see it is worth to spend $100 to get Windows on that.
Spending $300 to get a PC would make life easier.
 
strollin said:
That one you linked to can run Linux or Windows but does NOT come with the OS.

The Android based min-PCs come with Android OS already installed.
Click to expand...

Thanks for the heads up. Do you have any recommendations as far as good minis with the Android OS on them.

daisymtc said:
No OS come with that. You can install Linux.
I don't see it is worth to spend $100 to get Windows on that.
Spending $300 to get a PC would make life easier.
Click to expand...

Do they sell mini pcs with the Microsoft OS on them?

I really don't care for Windows 8 but that is just because I have been on Apple OS for so long but I don't think everyone in he company needs a Mac.
 
Blackhatch said:
Thanks for the heads up. Do you have any recommendations as far as good minis with the Android OS on them.



Do they sell mini pcs with the Microsoft OS on them?

I really don't care for Windows 8 but that is just because I have been on Apple OS for so long but I don't think everyone in he company needs a Mac.
Click to expand...



With that Zotac ZBox, you still need to buy RAM and HDD. So, it would end up $230, before install OS.
And thus, you may consider this
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16883258004


However, I would personally get a standard small from factor desktop
 
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The unit that daisymtc linked to looks promising but since this is for an office, will you be setting up a network with a domain? If so, Windows 7 Starter can't join a domain, you would need Win 7 Pro or Ultimate. It might work OK for a small office with just a few computers on a local network.
 
daisymtc said:
With that Zotac ZBox, you still need to buy RAM and HDD. So, it would end up $230, before install OS.
And thus, you may consider this
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16883258004

However, I would personally get a standard small from factor desktop
Click to expand...

The second link was dead so I am not sure what it is to.

I think all of our documents and data will be cloud based and we should only need to run Windows on one or 2 machines for program specific applications.

All the other folks would need very basic machines that would mostly be internet portals to access SalesForce and Google (Drive, Docs, Gmail, etc.).

I don't care of Windows 8 so a Windows 7 option on the machines would be preferable.

strollin said:
The unit that daisymtc linked to looks promising but since this is for an office, will you be setting up a network with a domain? If so, Windows 7 Starter can't join a domain, you would need Win 7 Pro or Ultimate. It might work OK for a small office with just a few computers on a local network.
Click to expand...

No network.

We have to access our information from on the road and the cloud option just seemed easier.

Thanks for all the help so far.
 
daisymtc said:
The combo is not available

Dell I660S-1540BK from bestbuy.
Come with intel G2030, 4GB RAM and 500GB HDD
Click to expand...

I see it now.

Is there a way in Windows 8 to just turn it back to Windows 7.

I am such a dingbat on this stuff and have been using Macs for a while now that I am even more Windows challenged than before.
 
What is your budget?
Have you consider cheap $300 laptop?
$300 laptop should have proper OS, and you don't need to spend extra on screen. However, this will have higher risk of broken down when compare to desktop and more expensive to repair if anything goes wrong.
 
daisymtc said:
What is your budget?
Have you consider cheap $300 laptop?
$300 laptop should have proper OS, and you don't need to spend extra on screen. However, this will have higher risk of broken down when compare to desktop and more expensive to repair if anything goes wrong.
Click to expand...

Ideally I want a larger screen for an easier working environment so that is why I was thinking Desktop.

That link you posted to Best Buy is looking like the best option at this point.



daisymtc said:
http://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/...itations/422801d5-89de-494d-8cc1-6f4fc21c2ac0
Click to expand...

Did some searching and like you say below, seems very basic and pretty much crappy.

daisymtc said:
Windows 7 starter is a OS. But it lack of feature when you compare to standard.
See link above
Click to expand...

If I am married to Windows 8, I know there has to be a way to turn off that newer interface and go back to a standard Windows look?
 
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