Earlier this week, we’ve seen MINIX NEO Z64 mini PC based on Intel Atom Z3735F that will sell for less than $150 in October. If you’d like a low power low cost Intel based fanless mini PC but with a bit more processing power, iControlHub could be an option with an Intel Celeron J1900 Bay Trail quad core processor.
Preliminary specifications for iControlHub:
- SoC – Intel Celeron J1900 processor @ 2.0 GHz (Burst frequency 2.41 GHz) with Intel HD graphics (Max TDP)
- System Memory – Up to 8GB DDR3
- Storage – HDD / SSD via mSATA connector
- Video Output – HDMI
- Audio Output – HDMI, optical S/PDIF
- Connectivity – Gigabit Ethernet, Wi-Fi with two external antennas
- USB – 2x USB 2.0 host ports, 1x USB 3.0 host port
- Misc – IR in and out
- Power Supply – 12V
- Dimensions – 125 x 125 mm (Board)
You must be confused with the picture as HDMI out is crossed and a “5V/2A” is shown… That’s because that’s an earlier sample based on Intel CE5300, but the company decided to switch to Intel Celeron J1900. The website has not been updated, but the company apparently intends to provide an XBMC based solution that supports features such as Cloud based CCTV solution, and IR blaster. Contrary to system based on “Bay Trail-T” processors where Linux may be complicated to install, Intel Celeron J1900 is a desktop processor, so both Linux and Windows should be easily installable on the platform.
The whole discussion started on XBMC forums last January, but there has been quite a few changes since then, notably the industrial E3822 processor has been dropped, and the developers have announced their intention of release the J1900 based version released above for about $160 + VAT, probably not including RAM, and they also said the Wi-Fi antennas are not included for this price. I hope the product will come to market, but I’m not that confident.. You can visit iControlHub web page with information more or less up-to-date.
Thanks to Harley!
Jean-Luc started CNX Software in 2010 as a part-time endeavor, before quitting his job as a software engineering manager, and starting to write daily news, and reviews full time later in 2011.
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So no storage included in the price then or?
http://forum.xbmc.org/member.php?action=profile&uid=200741
Maybe you can get an interview with hamk?
Seeing the images in iControlHub Specification, there are shown 3 IR windows (front and sides)… prototype ?
I’ve subscribed to their newsletter and:
“The product is now in production and will be available in 8 Weeks.”
So it should be available at about the same time as MINIX NEO Z64.
ok…read whole discussion started on XBMC about this new device.
ok…read whole discussion started on XBMC about this new device.
Nice chassis and promising specifications
Sorry for post #4 (incomplete)…sometimes my FF browser goes tilt.
I wonder when IControl (http://www.icontrol.com/) is going to sue them for trademark infringement.
Don’t want to wait…
http://www.aliexpress.com/store/group/Quad-Core-J1900-Mini-PC/800900_258218224.html?SortType=price_asc
@Jibril Integrated ir blaster / transmitters I think?
No question, this beats the Z series bay trail by a long shot (I have an Asrock J1900 board in a NAS, sweet bit of kit) so no, the Minix one isnt really comparable
@Jean-Luc Aufranc (CNXSoft)
System Memory – Up to 8GB DDR3 … only using RAM in Dual Channel mode (2 slots on board)
what is better?
some celeron J1900 / pentium J2900 (if u manage to find something cheap with j2900) or something like i3 3217U? celeron/pentium seem to have worse single-threaded performance, but 4 cores vs i3 2-cores+HT, also i3 has stronger GPU
IMHO: your choice depend by your applications…the Celeron Jxxx 10W TDP are done for fanless and ultra-low-power devices, giving anyhow 4 cores for multiple loads (NAS or media player/office/browsing).
The i3 is an upper level but drains more current (17W TDP).
Stronger GPU…for doing what ?