Thread: Cheap mini PCs!

Product Requirements
---------------------------------------------CPU, Memory, Hard Drive
Monitor, OS,Printer, Scanner etc.

I think that means all you get is the casing and a motherboard ... ah well and keyboard/mouse/speakers

I dont think its all that cheap but if your in the market for slightly older motherboards this may be a cheap way to go

I just took a look on BioStar's specs page for this product, and it comes with a power brick which outputs 12VDC - 3V and 5V are generated on the motherboard! Does this not mean that you could use something like this adapter to power it?
This PC becomes much more attractive if you can go to Radio Shack and pick up a $21 DC-DC power supply for it!!

It also states that the power supply it uses, outputs the 12v @ 5a... the Radioshack device can only do 3a this might not be enough for the conversion process required for the motherboard's other currents.

On the other hand, it's gotta be possible to get a 12v line which can output 5a with a little bit of electrical mastery (not me, I wouldn't know).

-Miles

I don't have too much electrical knowledge either. Does anyone know if this could easily be powered from the car's 12V?

http://cgi.ebay.com/aw-cgi/eBayISAPI...tem=1292323198

Onsale on ebay, the seller has 5 up for auction now..

Possible someone could arrange to buy a few at a much reduced price?

I'm somewhat interested in one or maybe two, provided that there would be a decent deal and reasonably low shipping (I have to take into account the Cnd/Us exchange and the fact my lazy arse is currently unemployed).

I beleave suppling 12v @ 5a would be fairly easy, if you where to boost then buck...
Is the HD voltage provided by the MD as well?

My only other concern would be providing some kind of display... without a parrallel or serial port a character LCD is ruled out.

All the same i'd like to know more about the MB..

The guy wants $99 on e-bay - the original link I posted was for $78 and they're new. I'm also concerned about the buying from US, but if you check to Compgeeks site it's only $24 for shipping to Canada for 1 unit, but only $35 for 2 units or $42 for 3 units. If we couldarrange a group buy between Canadians, we might get a better price plus we could save on shipping.
As for the lack or serial/parallel ports, you could use a usb to serial adapter or a USB to parallel adapter.

Got one on order from the Geeks, Should be getting it tommorow. I'll let you know how it works hooking right into the truck direct (Plus and inline Fuse).
KCMONGO

I was thinking maybe the eBay seller could give us a better price for a quantity.. Just a thought. The units on eBay are listed as new. Although I wasn't aware that Compugeeks had good shiping prices.

KCMONGO - Looking forward to seeing whats inside the case!

-edit-

Just found out some info on the EasyNow! PCs and the Stuff inside. The MB is a Biostar M5SAF.

Pictures, Interior ones on 3rd page (in korean) http://www.byxtreme.com/Scoop/000124/

Tech Info and following link http://www.fujitsu-siemens.co.uk/rl/...5SAF/M5SAF.htm

Link to manual http://www.fujitsu-siemens.co.uk/rl/...saf_110699.pdf

[ 11-08-2001: Message edited by: Machs_FueL ]

Great link to the pictures Machs_Fuel! I can't believe how small this thing looks when removed from the outer shell. KCMONGO, be sure to let us know how it is once you receive yours.