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  • Author Author: Catwell
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Gigabyte venturing into the small platform with a mini-PC alternative

Catwell

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"Brix" device for size reference, and PR shot (via Gigabyte)

 

Buying a PC doesn’t mean you have to find room for it on your cluttered desk. Gigabyte’s BRIX shows how wrong the tech predictions of the 1950’s were. Their powerful mini PC is now available at distributors around the country.

 

A VESA mounting bracket allows you to turn your HDMI TV into a connected set. The BRIX is capable of simultaneous dual-screens by using the DisplayPort as well. This is only the beginning of the customization possible with Gigabyte’s BRIX. The user can chose to equip the mini-PC with either Core i3, i5 or i7 Ivy Bridge Intel processors starting at 1.8 GHz. The choice of operating system is also up to the customer supporting Windows and Linux systems. Memory storage is yet another factor chosen to best suit usage needs. Standard, the BRIX comes with mSATA ports for external memory storage and SO-DIMM is an upgrade option and is compatible with the appropriate off-the-shelf components. Customizable SSD/RAM combo is also available offering up to 16 GB of RAM.

 

Additionally, other BRIX can make use of AMD mid-range Kabini accelerated processing units that use between 9 and 15 Watts and are capable of about 20 FPS. These include the AMD E1-2100, E1-2500, E2-3000 dual-core chips, and A4-5000 quad-core chips.

 

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More Brix features. Memory upgradability is a big draw. Also, being able to run Windows is another... (via Gigabyte)

 

BRIX are not the most capable mini-PC out there but good to learn about HTPC builds, non-intensive personal uses like light gaming, or to use as a devoted home theater PC.

 

The BRIX is palm-sized at just 1.18 x 4.24 x 4.5 inches. But, it also comes standard with two USB 3.0 ports and Ethernet port. An internal 802.11n mini PCIe Wifi antenna is included and it’s all housed with an aluminum frame within a glass exterior. Some BRIX models even include a wireless charging pad that can be used with phones like the Lumia that can be charged through induction. The device was showcased at this year’s CES and it is now available at certain retailers. Find out all about them at gigabyte.com.

 

Will this “barebones” Mini-PC inspire at the same level of the Raspberry Pi?

 

C

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  • in reply to Former Member

    I think that the explosion of Arm based board over the last year of which the Pi is only one means that the normal PC manufacturers need to do some thing quite radical to keep selling thier products. Obviously the amount of money to be made on a small PC is much less than a pimped up Gamer rig but with the number of PC's been sold this year has fallen dramatically this year so it's time to introduce the small PC like we see here to fill the gap between tablets and PCs

  • This looks like an incremental size reduction over Gigabyte's mini-ITX boards

    which are already pretty small at 6.7" x 6.7".

    http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813128526

     

    It's funny reading the reviewer's complaints, such as only 2 SATA ports

    on the mini-ITX boards.  I suppose everything is relative.

  • Hi Cabe,

     

    I think the answer will be yes.

    The state of the technology is quickly making single board computers a reality.

    Adding more storage is integral to the creation of more complex stand alone computers plus embedded systems.

     

    The market trend has always been aimed at pushing the devices into smaller size and then increasing their capability to push non-HMI issues away from the user.

     

    Consider the potential of a quadcopter with enough memory to collect and analyze video data.  They could automatically find and report the occurence of any items in their search list.  With GPS, you get an integral find and report device for search and rescue in real time.

     

    The future potential is immense.

     

    DAB