[conspire] Reminder: CABAL this Saturday, Oct. 21st

[Daniel Gimpelevich]

On Sun, 22 Oct 2017 10:37:43 -0700, Rick Moen wrote:

> Zotac's price was low because it was for a refurbished unit (and, I have
> no doubt, a model no longer otherwise offered).  I jumped on that
> because $125 was below my impulse threshold for this class of box.  ;->
> (I'm pretty sure they had only one refurb unit.)

The price for non-refurb units w/o RAM or storage is comparable or lower:
https://store.zotac.com/ci320-nano-zbox-ci320nano-u
https://store.zotac.com/ci322-nano-zbox-ci322nano-u
https://store.zotac.com/ci322-nano-plus-zbox-ci322nano-p-u
https://store.zotac.com/ci327-nano-zbox-ci327nano-u

> At the time of order, I could not determine from online information what
> NIC type they had.  I figured if I were lucky, it would be Intel.  If
> not and Zotec was predictably cheap, it'd be Realtek.  ;->  (I knew they
> weren't _totally_ Linux-hostile with NIC selection, because they offer
> preloaded Linux Mint 17.)  As I said, I really respect PC Engines's
> parts selection.

All I did was go to Zotac's download page and look at the filename of the 
NIC driver for Windows. I didn't even click the download link.

> One _pleasant_ surprise with the Zotac.  Online information about the
> RAM said only that it had 4GB.  My assumption was that would be in the
> form of a pair of 2GB sticks occupying both of the SODIMM slots (because
> people tend to be stupid and use low-density RAM, which later ends up in
> a drawer when they remove it and swich to higher-density.  But to my
> surprise, this is a 4GB stick, ergo I can upgrade the unit to 12GB total
> RAM for $59 if I wish ('buy it now' price)[2].

The CPU seems to support dual-channel RAM, so you would likely see a 
speed benefit from matched sticks.

> Anyway, Zotac has interesting _current_ production, too, but I wouldn't
> expect that $125 price mark for new-in-box units.  And never PC Engine's
> superb quality.

Sadly, all of those currently in the C series except the Kaby Lake 
behemoth seem to have only one RAM socket, too. (8GB max.)