Mini PC question

[jman116]

Is it safe for mini PCs like the ones that are in little boxes to be put in your backpack and taken to and from work? Not to be like super rough with the backpack, but just from like static electricity and such. Mini PCs on average are more powerful (not trying to debate) than laptops and are cheaper too, and I can have both mouse and keyboard + monitor for free one set at home and one set at work.

Also, what about custom built mini PCs? Would those be safe too? I am curious and just unsure. 

[WereCat]

why wouldnt it be? Static electricity is not really a concern 

[Eigenvektor]

You could put it into an anti-static plastic bag to make sure. I would be more worried about rain, moisture and rapid temperature changes myself.

[Cyracus]

should be ok, my main concerns would be hdds (susceptible to vibration so packing around can be bad), leaking if a loop, and possible impact forces (like you get in a car accident or something). And of course as mentioned the wet from the sky could be a major concern

[Moonzy]

shocks arent great, but it should be fine if everything is solid state

 

get one with TB, so you only have to plug in TB everytime you set things up

[jman116]

46 minutes ago, Moonzy said:

shocks arent great, but it should be fine if everything is solid state

 

get one with TB, so you only have to plug in TB everytime you set things up

TB is a good idea, actually. However Intel hasn't been very great with their... everything... as of late, and honestly I just don't like how they stagnated innovation for years because they held a virtual monopoly. I would sacrifice the second it takes to plug in the peripherals if it meant having VEGA graphics or more cores or both.

[Moonzy]

1 minute ago, jman116 said:

I would sacrifice the second it takes to plug in the peripherals if it meant having VEGA graphics or more cores or both

what are you looking to do with this PC? gaming?

[jman116]

Just now, Moonzy said:

what are you looking to do with this PC? gaming?

No, mostly CAD.

[Moonzy]

2 minutes ago, jman116 said:

No, mostly CAD.

oh, so pretty beefy hardware. with quadro perhaps?

[jman116]

2 minutes ago, Moonzy said:

oh, so pretty beefy hardware. with quadro perhaps?

Quadro might be a bit overkill, it is not overly taxing software, it's for Landscape Architecture.

[Moonzy]

1 minute ago, jman116 said:

Quadro might be a bit overkill, it is not overly taxing software, it's for Landscape Architecture.

are you thinking of building a SFF system, or buying something like a NUC?

because moving around a lot, it needs to be well built.

 

im still thinking a laptop if you dont need such beefy hardware

mini-PC have issues of their own too

[jman116]

6 minutes ago, Moonzy said:

oh, so pretty beefy hardware. with quadro perhaps?

I am particularly interested in this unit that LTT checked out.

 

[jman116]

2 minutes ago, Moonzy said:

are you thinking of building a SFF system, or buying something like a NUC?

because moving around a lot, it needs to be well built.

 

im still thinking a laptop if you dont need such beefy hardware

mini-PC have issues of their own too

Not a custom, just buying a full system.

Laptops are just so damn expensive for what you get which is where my concerns are.

[Moonzy]

2 minutes ago, jman116 said:

Laptops are just so damn expensive for what you get which is where my concerns are.

you can compare prices of mini-PC vs laptops, see what you're getting

the pc you linked isnt that great honestly

[kelvinhall05]

5 hours ago, jman116 said:

Not a custom, just buying a full system.

Laptops are just so damn expensive for what you get which is where my concerns are.

Maybe something used, then. At least check out a used Thinkpad P-series.

[LogicalDrm]

I would say that they are like laptops in the sense of hardware moving around. If you go that route, you could get custom foam or neoprene pouch to protect it.