[Cialug] Small and quiet Linux box suggestions

[Nathan C. Smith]

The NUCs are nice if you have the right distro.  I had trouble getting Debian to install because of the BIOS but Linux Mint worked fine.  They are releasing some new Atoms that make an Atom server more attractive.  I really like the SuperMicro Atom Barebones  that are 1 U 1/2 depth, though at present most of them only support two internal drives.  The thing that might sway me is if the MOBO goes bad on the SuperMicro Atom, it might be easier to get a replacement than in a NUC.  There are a few other companies producing NUC-alikes that have some appeal too.

-Nate

-----Original Message-----
From: cialug-bounces at cialug.org [mailto:cialug-bounces at cialug.org] On Behalf Of Daniel A. Ramaley
Sent: Wednesday, April 23, 2014 8:43 AM
To: cialug at cialug.org
Subject: [Cialug] Small and quiet Linux box suggestions

I'm considering getting a new main machine. I want something reliable and quiet with lots of RAM. CPU and graphics speeds are not as important for me as they are for people who do 3D gaming--my current machine is 5 years old, and i'm thinking of replacing it mostly to get something smaller and quieter. (But faster as well would always be appreciated!) If i do get a new machine, it will run Debian Testing.

Has anyone tried running Linux on an Intel NUC, or other similarly-sized machines? The size and quietness of the NUC appeal to me. I'd worry a bit about its reliability though; i usually use at least some server- grade parts when i build a machine (such as ECC RAM and a motherboard that supports it), but the NUC is definitely a consumer-level device.

Anyway, just wondering if anyone else has recent experience with small, quiet machines. Either suggestions to consider, or things to avoid would be helpful. In the past i've always assembled my own machines from components, but i think i'll be able to get something quieter if i just buy one pre-made. If i do build one, i'm willing to go larger than the NUC; that is just one example. I'd like to keep anything small and light enough that it could potentially be put in a suitcase and hauled on an international flight though. (I know that's an unusual requirement, but i'm considering a move in the future.)

__
Daniel A. Ramaley
Network Engineer 2

Dial Center 122, Drake University
2407 Carpenter Ave / Des Moines IA 50311 USA
Tel: +1 515 271-4540
Fax: +1 515 271-1938
E-mail: daniel.ramaley at drake.edu

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