If you’re in need of a low-end, cheap x86 platform you’re in luck since XCY is selling the X46G industrial fanless mini PC powered by an Intel Celeron 2955U Haswell processor or a Pentium 3805U Broadwell CPU for just about $60 as a barebone system, or around $74 with 4GB of RAM, a 64GB SSD, and a WiFi module as part of a Black Friday 2024’s promotion. It’s even cheaper in some other shops, as we’ll see below.
Both CPUs have been discontinued since 2021, and nobody should use those in a desktop system unless you are of the very patient type. However, if you want to run some lightweight Windows or Linux application(s), make use of RS232 ports for industrial control, set up a Full HD HTPC, configure a dual GbE server, or need to run FreeDOS or similar x86-only operating systems, those ultra-cheap Intel mini PCs might prove useful.
X46G specifications:
- SoC
- Intel Celeron 2955U dual-core Haswell processor @ 1.4 GHz with Intel HD Graphics; TDP: 15W
- Intel Pentium 3805U dual-core Broadwell processor @ 1.9 GHz with Intel HD Graphics; TDP: 15W
- Other old Intel Core i3, i5, or i7 CPUs are also available; all with 15W TDP
- System Memory – Up to 8GB DDR3L 1333/1600MHz via SO-DIMM socket
- Storage
- mSATA SSD socket
- 2.5-inch SATA HDD/SSD bay
- Video Output
- HDMI 1.4 and VGA
- Support for two independent displays
- Audio – 2-in-1 audio jack; Realtek ALC662 audio codec
- Networking
- 2x Gigabit Ethernet RJ45 ports via Realtek RTL8111F controllers (Note: the performance of those is not as good as more recent RTL8111H controllers)
- Optional Mini PCIe WiFi module up to 300 Mbps with two WiFi antennas
- USB – 4x USB 3.0 or 2x USB 3.0 + 2x USB 2.0; CNXSoft: I suppose it depends on the processor used…
- Serial – 2x RS232 DB9 COM ports
- Expansion – Half Height Mini PCIe (used by WiFi by default)
- Misc
- Power ON/Off
- BIOS with support for Wake-on-LAN, S5 RTC Wake Settings, PXE Boot, and restore on AC power loss.
- Power Supply – 12V DC
- Dimensions – 183 x 127 x 63mm (Aluminum Alloy)
- Weight – 1.5kg (net)
- Temperature Range (TBC)
- Operating – 15C to 35°C
- Storage – -20°C to 65°C
- Relative Humidity – 5% to 95% (non-condensing)
The mini PC ships with a 12V/3A power adapter, a SATA power cable & SATA cable, and a user manual. The barebone mini PC ships without memory, storage, and wireless module, but models with memory and storage also come with a WiFi model and two external antennas. The company lists Windows 10/8.1/7, Linux, Ubuntu, Openelec, etc… as supported operating systems, and Windows 11 will not run on the machine.
If the Pentium/Celeron processors are a bit too slow and the 8GB memory limit too low, faster Core i3-5005U, Core i5-5200U, and Core i7-5500U models are also offered with support for up to 16GB of RAM with prices between $76 to $102 for barebone models. Searching for Celeron 2955U on AliExpress, you’ll even find the Celeron 2955U model for as low as $46 on another seller. All promotions are scheduled to end on December 4. It’s unclear whether AliExpress’ Black Friday 2024 coupons also work with those products.
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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