Low Power Windows PC - Suggestions

[dajoebomb]

Hi Guys,

Im looking at buying a low power (~10w) PC that will be used in my Home Automation Project.

I know I will be trading power(Watts) for power (GHz), but this shouldnt matter, I will have no Monitor Connected, just connect remotely.

I need a windows PC for the homeautomation software (will start with open source, but may write my own). The raspberry pi would be ideal, but I need more compatibility for some other products I am thinking of Incorporating such as RFID readers, Digital and Analogue outputs etc.

Has anyone got any suggestions for pc hardware.

I was thinking of building my own to cut costs but got a bit stuck on Power supplies for MOBO such as this:

http://www.ebuyer.com/397792-mb-boxd2550mud2-mini-itx-nm10-ddr3-1066-boxd2550mud2

Would like it fanless (cut down on power usage), like a laptop charger, but woudnt know how to wire it up - any links for this?

Seems silly to buy something like this:

http://www.ebuyer.com/397792-mb-boxd2550mud2-mini-itx-nm10-ddr3-1066-boxd2550mud2

When all I need is the MOBO and RAM (?30), Power supply and SSD (Cheapy)

Any ideas or help greatly appreciated

[The Evil Overlord]

Edit*

I was going to suggest the raspberry, but noticed you've already dismissed it, that was all I had, sorry.

[dajoebomb]

Edit*

I was going to suggest the raspberry, but noticed you've already dismissed it, that was all I had, sorry.

Hi Dushmany,

Yeah It would have been ideal as the Lighting (which works off an RF dongle) has software already for the Pi.

I will probably want to use http://www.phidgets.com/ which are USB for windows, and they are good value for money.

[(Account no longer active)]

Take a look at this:

https://www.sparkfun.../products/11712

https://www.sparkfun.com/news/1084

pcDuino:

Description: As the field of embedded electronics gets more advanced, hobbyists and professionals are both in need of smaller and more powerful computers. We've been looking for awhile and now we've found one that we really like, not only because it's small and fast but because it's also Arduino shield compatible! The pcDuino is a high performance, cost effective mini PC platform that runs full-featured operating systems such as Ubuntu and Android ICS.

It's easy to hook up, just connect 5V power and a keyboard and mouse. The pcDuino outputs video to any HDMI enabled TV or monitor via the built in HDMI interface. It was specifically designed to make it easy for the open source community to develop computationally demanding projects using the vast, existing catalog of Arduino Shields.

An API has been developed for the pcDuino that allows the user to access all of the functions that you would expect using simple Arduino-style language.

Note: The pcDuino has trouble connecting to certain DVI monitors. There is a fix available on the pcDuino wiki page. Check the documents below!

Dimensions: 125mm X 52mm

Features:

• 1GHz ARM Cortex A8 CPU
  
• GPU: OpenGL ES2.0, OpenVG 1.1 Mali 400 core
  
• 1GB DRAM
  
• Onboard Storage: 2GB Flash, microSD card (TF) slot for up to 32GB
  
• Arduino-Style Peripheral Headers (Adapter Needed for Shield Form-Factor)
  
• HDMI Video Output
  
• Linux3.0 + Ubuntu12.10 Supported
  
• 0.1" Spaced GPIO Headers
  
• RJ45 Ethernet Connection
  
• Power Requirements: 2A @ 5VDC
  
• API to access the following interfaces:
  
  • UART
    
  • ADC
    
  • PWM
    
  • GPIO
    
  • I2C
    

  [*]Program in C, C++ with GNU tool chain

  [*]Program in Java with standard Android SDK

Documents:

• Schematic
  
• User Guide
  
• Quickstart Guide
  
• Getting Started Tutorial
  
• Mechanical Drawings
  
• Display Issue Fix
  
• pcDuino Site
  
• Product Video
  

Only $59.95 USD!

[(Account no longer active)]

Actually, here's the official site for the item above: http://www.pcduino.com/

I personally haven't used it, but am interested in doing so. You should be able to SSH into it, and interface with existing Arduino RFID shields.

[dajoebomb]

Hi Guys,

That PCDuino looks pretty good.

However, Looking at the homeautomation software it only supports windows.

Its a shame because there is Already IO aboard so would have been easy to interface with hardware.

Anything similar that runs windows?

[dajoebomb]

Anyone?

Again, I am looking for any information on how to build a Mini-ITX PC using a laptop charger instead of a fan one.

Edit: Found it :

http://www.mini-box.com/s.nl/it.A/id.417/.f

PicoPSU

[TPreston]

Hi Guys,

That PCDuino looks pretty good.

However, Looking at the homeautomation software it only supports windows.

Its a shame because there is Already IO aboard so would have been easy to interface with hardware.

Anything similar that runs windows?

The intel embedded board you posted will do the trick, As for the PSU look for a pico psu on ebay they're fanless basically a laptop charger with a motherboard power connector at the end and 1xSATA.

[+Fahim S. MVC]

What about an Intel NUC, apparently runs at 6.5W average, 28W full load

http://www.legitreviews.com/article/2083/6/

[ka-la]

See if you can grab the DN2800MT board - no need for PicoPSU, just plug laptop adapter + msata support, so all there is for computer would be on motherboard.

EDIT: here: http://www.mini-itx.com/store/~DN2800MT