hyb80 Posted February 27, 2015 Posted February 27, 2015 Reviewing our refresh, and strongly considering Intel NUC or similar ultra small factor pc for our IT suites. I can see the obvious downsides, less usb and if fixed to the monitor, access to usb and audio etc and have to make sure the monitors are compatible. Performance wise they compete with a traditional desktop pc in the tests I have carried out. Anyone using a suite of these? if so what have you encountered? do you regret it? I currently have an intel nuc, VeryPC nano sketch and a gigabyte Brix being trialed.
Sagima Posted February 27, 2015 Posted February 27, 2015 We have two suites of them. Wish I'd bought screens with an hdmi or displayport connector on them though as the dvi adapters are horrid. What has surprised me most is that noone has walked off with one yet. also bought a dozen or so for SMT offices - they all needed a usb hub but the classroom ones are fine. 1
hyb80 Posted February 27, 2015 Author Posted February 27, 2015 Im looking at adapters, not seen many display port connections. My issue with using hdmi would be with how windows handles the default sound output. Which ones did you get?
hyb80 Posted February 27, 2015 Author Posted February 27, 2015 Are the nuc's any cheaper? Depending on number of units but spec i have i5, 120ssd 8gb ram. price currently is around the £400 mark
Sagima Posted February 27, 2015 Posted February 27, 2015 We got them from novatech - they call them pockits I believe. 8GB RAM, 128GB drive, i3, 3yr nbd warranty, dell E2314H monitor, keyboard/mouse and minidisplayport-to-dvi adapter. They were cheaper than the last PCs I had bought. They are in the main ICT suite and the Language Lab. We have them attached to the screen in the language lab and they were attached to the screens in the main suite but they have since moved to the desk. I think there's a newer mode now with a couple of extra USB ports in it.
fiza Posted February 27, 2015 Posted February 27, 2015 We got them from novatech - they call them pockits I believe. 8GB RAM, 128GB drive, i3, 3yr nbd warranty, dell E2314H monitor, keyboard/mouse and minidisplayport-to-dvi adapter. They were cheaper than the last PCs I had bought. They are in the main ICT suite and the Language Lab. We have them attached to the screen in the language lab and they were attached to the screens in the main suite but they have since moved to the desk. I think there's a newer mode now with a couple of extra USB ports in it. What do you do about access to the audio input when students need to use headphones? Are they clambering around the back of the monitor?
hyb80 Posted February 27, 2015 Author Posted February 27, 2015 Out of interest, why did you move them off the monitors?
Sagima Posted February 27, 2015 Posted February 27, 2015 As odd as it might sound the kids are completely capable of accessing the usb and audio ports one the mounted nucs in the language lab without any issues at all but they couldn't manage it in ICT. We had the nucs mounted with the front usb and audio pointed straight up in both rooms
hyb80 Posted February 27, 2015 Author Posted February 27, 2015 Doesn't look too bad just sat there. It's their "pockit" ability worries me
hyb80 Posted February 27, 2015 Author Posted February 27, 2015 For balance I will send a pic of the Very Pc sketch but it's currently being used in a classroom
hyb80 Posted February 27, 2015 Author Posted February 27, 2015 Cables could/will be tidier. The vpc has more usb and separate microphone/audio sockets, not sure if this is a major issue for me. Also like the addition of sd card slot but is that one more thing to have something shoved in. It's is more secure too with fixing bracket. The Intel NUC from novatech has less usb but is smaller and quieter. Fits neater next to this monitor if you didn't want students reaching behind. Performance wise vpc is a tiny bit faster but it's close.
fiza Posted February 27, 2015 Posted February 27, 2015 The Intel NUC from novatech has less usb but is smaller and quieter. Fits neater next to this monitor if you didn't want students reaching behind. Isnt that going to tempt fate? If its not bolted down it will go walkies sooner or later.
caffrey Posted February 27, 2015 Posted February 27, 2015 We've been using acer revos on the back of monitors for a while and the power button is in a much more sensible location for VESA mounting, shame they are starting to show their age. I really don't like the location of the power button on the NUCS
Patrick Posted March 2, 2015 Posted March 2, 2015 Isnt that going to tempt fate? If its not bolted down it will go walkies sooner or later. I think that really depends on the school. I'm at primary level and at this school I can't even imagine equipment going walk about.
Sheridan Posted March 2, 2015 Posted March 2, 2015 We've just installed a few Nanos from very as well, they work well and tidy up the deskspace for a minimal loss of performance. Only issue is the mass of cables at the back has to be managed somehow! 1
TomTomGo Posted March 3, 2015 Posted March 3, 2015 For cable management with this breed of Mini computers I've been looking at these: Lenovo ThinkCentre Tiny-in-One 23 They are only £160 ex VAT from our suppliers and can be used with the full range of Tiny PCs from Lenovo. This video shows off its best features.
hyb80 Posted March 17, 2015 Author Posted March 17, 2015 Little update, went for @VeryPC nano sketch for look, security and flexibility of the unit. Little bit of custom branding thrown in too. 3
hyb80 Posted March 17, 2015 Author Posted March 17, 2015 Also they offered to unbox the keyboards and mice which is a nice little time saver. 1
Recommended Posts
Create an account or sign in to comment
You need to be a member in order to leave a comment
Create an account
Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!
Register a new accountSign in
Already have an account? Sign in here.
Sign In Now