Star Labs Byte Mk II is another Intel Alder Lake-N mini PC with an Intel Processor N200 CPU whose main differentiating factor is to ship with Linux pre-installed from a choice between Ubuntu 22.04, Linux Mint, Manjaro, Zorin OS, and many others.
The hardware features are quite standard with up to 16GB RAM, an NVMe SSD with up to 2TB capacity, HDMI and DisplayPort video outputs, an audio jack two Gigabit Ethernet ports, WiFi 5 and Bluetooth 5.1, and a few USB ports.
Star Labs Byte Mk II specifications:
- SoC – Intel Processor N200 quad-core processor @ up to 1.0 GHz / 3.7 GHz (Turbo) with 6MB cache, 32EU Intel HD graphics @ 750 MHz; TDP: 6W (PL2 set to 25W)
- System Memory – 8GB or 16GB single-channel DDR4 3200MHz memory via one SO-DIMM socket
- Storage
- 480GB “over-provisioned” M.2 2280 PCIe SSD (option for 960GB or 1920GB)
- Detachable 2.5-inch HDD/SSD via optional connector included
- Video Output
- HDMI 2.0 up to 4Kp60
- DisplayPort 1.4 up to 4Kp60
- Dual independent display support
- Audio – 3.5mm headphone jack
- Networking
- 2x Gigabit Ethernet RJ45 ports
- Wi-Fi 5 up to 1.73 Gbps and Bluetooth 5.1 via an Intel Wireless-AC 9560 M.2 2230 module
- USB
- 4x USB 3.2 Gen 2 (10 Gbps) Type-A ports
- 1x USB 3.0 (5 Gbps) Type-A port
- Security features
- BIOS Lock
- Secure Boot
- Measured Boot
- Disabled Intel Management Engine (IME)
- Misc – 1x Kensington Lock
- Power Adapter – 12V/3A via DC jack
- Dimensions – 12.7 x 12.7 x 4.3 cm (Polycarbonate and nickel housing)
- Weight – 296 grams
- Temperature range – Operating: 5° to 40°C; storage: -20° to 60°C
- Relative humidity – 0% to 90% non-condensing
- Altitude
- Operating – tested up to 3048 meters
- Storage/shipping – up to 12192 meters
The fanless mini PC also comes with Coreboot firmware which must be why the company managed to disable Intel Management Engine and Star Labs also offers the coreboot configurator for easy configuration. A total of 17 Linux distributions can be selected for the Processor N200 mini PC at no additional cost at the time of order:
- Ubuntu 22.04.02 LTS
- elementary OS 7 Pantheon
- Kubuntu 22.04.2 LTS
- Linux Mint 21.1 Cinnamon, MATE, or XFCE
- Manjaro 22 GNOME, Plasma, or XFCE
- MX Linux 21.3 XFCE, KDE, or Fluxbox
- Ubuntu 22.04.2 MATE LTS
- Xubuntu 22.04.2 LTS
- Zorin OS 16.2 Core, Lite
There are also some operating systems that require additional payment:
- Zorin OS 16.2 Pro
- Windows 11 Home or Professional
Or you can ask the company not to install any operating system if you prefer to do that yourself. People selecting Windows 11 are likely the ones who care about Intel IME being removed considering the price of the mini PC. There should not be an issue with WiFi and Bluetooth in Linux like on some other Alder Lake-N mini PCs with an Intel AX101 module, as they selected the Wireless-AC 9560 with support in Linux through the iwlwifi driver at least since Linux 4.14.
Getting a Linux mini PC removes the need to purchase a Windows license, but there are additional costs since it’s a niche market, they changed the firmware, the company lets the user select from a wide range of Linux distributions, and donations will be given to the developers of the selected OS. So if you want the Star Labs Byte Mk II mini PC, you’ll need to spend at least $452 for the model with 8GB RAM and a 480GB SSD. Note that’s the pre-order price, and the mini PC will then sell for $595 and up after the promotion period, which is significantly higher than Windows 11 mini PCs with similar specifications coming out of China. Additional information may be found on the product page.
Via Liliputing
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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