Hi all,

I'm after something similar to the Mac Mini, something identical almost identical to it should do actually, however, the Mac Mini is too expensive, and I only really need a core duo.

I want something easy to lug around and plug into projectors as a demo machine, I need to be able to upgrade to 2GB of memory at some point, 4GB would be nice but not necessary.

OK, a Mac Mini is too expensive, I'm looking ideally <£100, though that can move a little, which a PC should be able to do, right? IIRC, Core Duo came out about three years ago...
Has anyone made such a computer? Even if a laptop had similar specs I'd happily go with that, I don't need the screen, but it's a nice addition I guess...

Any suggestions would be most welcome

Ben

You can get tiny low-power PCs, but I've not seen something that combines a core-2-duo with that form factor for less than £200.

If you don't really need the power, then there are loads of thin-client style options for around £80 - £120

http://www.norhtec.com/products/mcjr/index.html
http://www.ewayco.com/

Those were just the first two hits on Google. You can probably get one second hand for peanuts, but it all depends on how much power you need.

I want. I don't know why or what for. But I want. <where's the goddam smitten/love emoticon!>

Ideally, I need a fair bit, ideally a dual core jobby, P4 is as low as I could go for good demo performance.

It's to demo OpenSolaris features at uni, and Solaris isn't particularly lightweight, for example: ZFS is designed for higher-spec CPU's to do a lot of it's checking (accuracy over performance because hardware will give us that).

Thanks for the links JJ, I'll have a look at them a little more tomorrow

I don't think my links are very promising...

You could probably build a fairly small machine using mini-itx stuff (there's loads on ebay) for ideas look here

I've found some supported items on eBay, so I'm going to cobble together some bits and make one.
Cheers for the site saspro, it was really useful

Coo, I've got an Atom board which is supported, got a case with 220W PSU, an 80GB sata hard drive with cable and I think I have a compatible stick of RAM at home (If it says 533 DDR2 and I have 667 DDR2, I presume it'll clock down?).

Anyhoo, apart from a power lead, all that for just over 110 quid!

Cheers for links and suggestions all

Nice, you'll have to post pics (I'm building loads of prototype mini-itx stuff for my new project)

667 will clock down fine

I got the cheapest case, as such it isn't particularly flattering...But pics will be posted as I build it and when it's finished

The cardboard box the motherboard came in?

Well, errr...I'm gonna paint it SILVER


Nah, I got one of these:
http://www.e-itx.com/morex-668.html
In silver because eBay didn't have it in Black...

That's pretty much the classic "shuttle" style. They actually look a lot smarter IRL than they do in the pictures.

Have fun

Thank goodness! I was a little horrified about the size...But it was the only thing in my price range...



Fingers crossed

Wow this thing is small! I've just got the case today, hoping for the board later this week, bit it's really tiny. I'd live it to be a little smaller, but the insides are incredibly cramped!