Gigabyte Intros the Intel-based "Brix" Mini-PC

[Jeronimo2000]

Has anyone read that article, from the link in the first post? It's kinda funny, the "journalist" (probably the same one who took the dark & blurry pictures) thinks the Brix is meant as a reaction to the Raspberry Pi and expects a similar price point.

Sure.

 

[samisnake]

Has anyone read that article, from the link in the first post? It's kinda funny, the "journalist" (probably the same one who took the dark & blurry pictures) thinks the Brix is meant as a reaction to the Raspberry Pi and expects a similar price point.

Sure.

lol just read it now. the writer is funny.

While Gigabyte didn't directly state the Raspberry Pi as the market it was going after, it alluded to this with its reference to "having only one main competitor"

the intel nuc perhaps

 

[tonymacx86]

I picked up the i3 version- here's a few pics I snapped.

http://www.tonymacx86.com/members/tonymacx86/albums/gigabyte-brix/

The unit runs great- but doesn't have the standard Gigabyte UEFI- like the thin-mini itxs. Ethernet, HDMI Aud with DSDT edit, DP/HDMI all works, Wifi doesn't work.

 

[jzhang19]

The unit runs great- but doesn't have the standard Gigabyte UEFI- like the thin-mini itxs. Ethernet, HDMI Aud with DSDT edit, DP/HDMI all works, Wifi doesn't work.

I plan to buy i7 model of Brix. 2 questions based on your testing.
USB3 -- working?
WIFI Card -- removable? I want to replace it with MAC OSX compatible card.

Thank you in advance!

 

[tonymacx86]

I plan to buy i7 model of Brix. 2 questions based on your testing.
USB3 -- working?
WIFI Card -- removable? I want to replace it with MAC OSX compatible card.

Thank you in advance!

http://www.tonymacx86.com/network/58146-guide-airport-half-mini-pcie.html

Here's a good guide to finding a working native airport mini pcie card. As shown in this pic, you can remove the one in the BRIX really easily:

http://www.tonymacx86.com/members/tonymacx86/albums/gigabyte-brix/60448-8/

Also, USB3 will work with MultiBeast USB3 driver.

 

[jzhang19]

http://www.tonymacx86.com/network/58146-guide-airport-half-mini-pcie.html

Here's a good guide to finding a working native airport mini pcie card. As shown in this pic, you can remove the one in the BRIX really easily:

http://www.tonymacx86.com/members/tonymacx86/albums/gigabyte-brix/60448-8/

Also, USB3 will work with MultiBeast USB3 driver.

WOW -- really love that small box.
Intel i5 NUC http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16856102035 $399
Gygabyte i5 BRIX http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16856164002 $379

Prices are very close to each other, in your opinion to make a working mountain lion mini, what is pros and cons between NUC and BRIX?
really appreciated!

 

[tonymacx86]

Check out this thread for full test results: http://www.tonymacx86.com/general-h...gigabyte-brix-mini-pc-kit-core-i3-mobile.html

I haven't tested the Intel NUC, but this little board seems like a worthy competitor.

 

[nobodynose]

WOW -- really love that small box.
Intel i5 NUC http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16856102035 $399
Gygabyte i5 BRIX http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16856164002 $379

Prices are very close to each other, in your opinion to make a working mountain lion mini, what is pros and cons between NUC and BRIX?
really appreciated!

I haven't worked with either of them, but based on what I've read about them and everything I've seen posted here, I'd say it's pretty much a toss-up. The Intel NUC might have a slight edge due to its use of the QS77 chipset as opposed to HM77 (QS77 has a few features not present in HM77, see http://ark.intel.com/compare/64336,64339 for the comparison), however that probably doesn't make a practical difference to 95% of users.

 

[jzhang19]

Check out this thread for full test results: http://www.tonymacx86.com/general-h...gigabyte-brix-mini-pc-kit-core-i3-mobile.html

I haven't tested the Intel NUC, but this little board seems like a worthy competitor.

thank you, tonymacx86 !
That is the link I will keep my eyes on for the following months, it seems BRIX is an easier choice than NUC for me.
I saw some problem with NUC, http://www.legitreviews.com/article/2083/
Intel might already fix the issue in i5 and newer models, but no confirmation so far.

Thank you again for the excellent job!