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Post your comments for How to Build a Compact, Energy-Efficient PC here

[VanceVEP72]

For that much money, why not just get a Mac Mini?

[waldojim]

VanceVEP72, on 06 October 2011 - 09:32 PM, said:

For that much money, why not just get a Mac Mini?

Why have a Mac mini when you can build this toy, and write an article?

[Qu3becker50qx]

I never build a PC to put in a living room but I would have put a tv tuner/capture card allowing you to record any tv shows and use this 750GB hard drive accordingly.
Otherwise, nice guide.

[Boomshadow]

waldojim, on 07 October 2011 - 02:04 AM, said:

VanceVEP72, on 06 October 2011 - 09:32 PM, said:

For that much money, why not just get a Mac Mini?

Why have a Mac mini when you can build this toy, and write an article?

I've done both (In fact, I got my Mac mini a half hour before Steve Jobs died), and both have reasons to recommend them. I think everyone who considers himself/herself technically inclined should build their own PC.

[waldojim]

Boomshadow, on 07 October 2011 - 08:55 AM, said:

waldojim, on 07 October 2011 - 02:04 AM, said:

VanceVEP72, on 06 October 2011 - 09:32 PM, said:

For that much money, why not just get a Mac Mini?

Why have a Mac mini when you can build this toy, and write an article?

I've done both (In fact, I got my Mac mini a half hour before Steve Jobs died), and both have reasons to recommend them. I think everyone who considers himself/herself technically inclined should build their own PC.

Not if it is going to be a waste, as the case is here.

A $599 Mac mini + Windows will work out about the same price, performance, and the Apple machine is easily as well made. If the author used parts that made a bit more sense, then this discussion would probably have a different angle from me.

[BigBanks]

I have a 2011 mini, but this is really cool for a small form factor PC. USB 3.0, Upgrading/Customizing options, etc. Dont get caught up in the price, though I am sure it could have been made ceaper... People argue all the time that the Mini's cost is justified because it is the least expensive mac you can get. Well, as far as small form factor and CUSTOMIZING goes, this is a GREAT alternative. I use one of my laptops as a stationary desktop on my rack. I would love to have a small form factor, fully fuctional PC in the same space as my mini.

At the end like one of the posters, all tech heros should build at lease one machine... Or you will just be a tech zero... :-P

Thank about it... Even in one of that artilcles about Steve Jobs where he was saying how much it helped him building Heath appliances/devices "EVEN THOUGH IT WAS MORE EXPENSIVE"! It was well worth the learning and badge you get the wear that YOU put it together. Shoot, that is the best part about coding for me Look what I did, even if to myself.

With that said, the ones clowning the price and such, I know you at least respected Steve Jobs and will understand when I say that you are trying to STOP people from being crazy, foolish, hungry, etc for doing what they love... You lost ALL of the genius with your arguments...

BRAVO and if I did not have 5 computers at home for just little ole me now, I would be on top of this... Who am I kidding, building a PC like this is on my list now.

[BigBanks]

waldojim, on 07 October 2011 - 10:30 AM, said:

Boomshadow, on 07 October 2011 - 08:55 AM, said:

waldojim, on 07 October 2011 - 02:04 AM, said:

VanceVEP72, on 06 October 2011 - 09:32 PM, said:

For that much money, why not just get a Mac Mini?

Why have a Mac mini when you can build this toy, and write an article?

I've done both (In fact, I got my Mac mini a half hour before Steve Jobs died), and both have reasons to recommend them. I think everyone who considers himself/herself technically inclined should build their own PC.

Not if it is going to be a waste, as the case is here.

A $599 Mac mini + Windows will work out about the same price, performance, and the Apple machine is easily as well made. If the author used parts that made a bit more sense, then this discussion would probably have a different angle from me.

You missed the whole point... Dont you think he knows he could have purchased a mac mini??? Learn to "Think Different"....

[waldojim]

BigBanks, on 07 October 2011 - 02:42 PM, said:

waldojim, on 07 October 2011 - 10:30 AM, said:

Not if it is going to be a waste, as the case is here.

A $599 Mac mini + Windows will work out about the same price, performance, and the Apple machine is easily as well made. If the author used parts that made a bit more sense, then this discussion would probably have a different angle from me.

You missed the whole point... Dont you think he knows he could have purchased a mac mini??? Learn to "Think Different"....

I did, a long time ago. Had it been me, this would have been very different. AMD A8 would have been at the heart of the machine for example. As well as a motherboard with built in wifi. Why mess with ridiculous dongles when motherboards exist with built in WIFI that work better, and cost less? I could have done this exact project in about 2/3 the cost, and come out with a far nicer machine. Think Different shouldn't be about wasting money. If that is your goal, BUY A FREAKING MAC and be done with it.

[waldojim]

BigBanks, on 07 October 2011 - 02:41 PM, said:

I have a 2011 mini, but this is really cool for a small form factor PC. USB 3.0, Upgrading/Customizing options, etc. Dont get caught up in the price, though I am sure it could have been made ceaper... People argue all the time that the Mini's cost is justified because it is the least expensive mac you can get. Well, as far as small form factor and CUSTOMIZING goes, this is a GREAT alternative. I use one of my laptops as a stationary desktop on my rack. I would love to have a small form factor, fully fuctional PC in the same space as my mini.

At the end like one of the posters, all tech heros should build at lease one machine... Or you will just be a tech zero... :-P

Thank about it... Even in one of that artilcles about Steve Jobs where he was saying how much it helped him building Heath appliances/devices "EVEN THOUGH IT WAS MORE EXPENSIVE"! It was well worth the learning and badge you get the wear that YOU put it together. Shoot, that is the best part about coding for me Look what I did, even if to myself.

With that said, the ones clowning the price and such, I know you at least respected Steve Jobs and will understand when I say that you are trying to STOP people from being crazy, foolish, hungry, etc for doing what they love... You lost ALL of the genius with your arguments...

BRAVO and if I did not have 5 computers at home for just little ole me now, I would be on top of this... Who am I kidding, building a PC like this is on my list now.

Lets be honest here. How much customizing are you really going to do in a mini form-factor? You get a choice of a dozen mini ITX boards or so, and about a dozen more processors. Then we are down to the usual suspects, ram, hard drive, etc. You can customize the crap out the ram and hard drives on a Mac just as easily. They also have a video card option not really available to most micro sized desktops like this - namely the ATI 6650m.

The only complaint about the price, is how little THIS AUTHOR did for the price. You aren't the only one here who has ever assembled their own PC's (with the exception of my laptops ALL my PC's were home assembled), nor will you be the last. But for the MAC HATERS out there WHINING about how expensive MACs are, they need to take a step back and think about how supidly expensive this little project was compared to the performance. Yes, MAC wins. Not even a contest here.

[UPFRONT]

If you did not need a lot of power why not save on the CPU and purchase a Dual Core Celeron G530? I have a similar setup and the Celeron runs great for about 50 bucks. Mine is a HTPC/Home Server with 1x3TB and 1x2TB. It replaced my AMD e350 which could not play HD from Netflix. The e350 became my Desktop for when I don't play games on my gamer PC.

[jscott418]

Nothing to take away from your quest to build something. I understand the pride. But you really could have bought a pre built system with similar specs for less. Plus you would have one company to go to for warranty instead of each components. I just don't think its very practical anymore.

[jtimouri]

For a first build this was fine. But for someone who has built many, I didn't understand the goal. It was not to save money. It was not to build the most power into the most compact space. It was not to build the highest performance into the most compact unit using the least power at the lowest price in a manner not obtainable on the market. For the purposes cited why blow money on Windows 7 instead of Linux? You can set it up so that they would not notice. A noisy hard drive in your living room? If anything called for an SSD this project certainly was one. As I said, for a first timer fine, but for others it would be good to experiment more.

[madooo12]

little question, won't AMD A-6 cost less and be much cheaper

[dragon69]

madooo12, on 10 October 2011 - 08:31 AM, said:

little question, won't AMD A-6 cost less and be much cheaper

Yeah but madooo12 you missed the whole point of this article ... it was sponsored by Intel and the whole point was to justify the high price and low level of power (or usefulness) of this computer !

[CoachingGuy]

Has anyone consideried the Fit PC or Trimslice ? Also the Fit PC3 is coming shortly and is going ot be kick as!

[JessicaFowler]

I agree with the CoachingGuy we have been using fit pc2 and its great. So small, tough and only 7W!! Can't wait for the new Fit PC 3!

This post has been edited by JessicaFowler: 12 October 2011 - 06:44 AM

[jckouame]

Hello Mr, I would like to mount my computer with the case BitFenix Merc Beta which I already bought. I am not gifted in the field of the electronic components. I would like that you give me a stable list of components fast, stable, reliable, durable and cheaper that you tested so that. I can follow your example and mount my all alone computer. As you are gifted in the field of electronic maintenance and you know all the wheels of the trade.Thank you for your pleasant attention.

[JasonDeveau]

VanceVEP72, on 06 October 2011 - 09:32 PM, said:

For that much money, why not just get a Mac Mini?

Cause Mac sucks. And this is PC-World!!