Thin client recomendations?

[squarepipe]

I want a thin client that connects back to my windows and linux VMs via VNC or RDP/ chrome remote desktop ,team viewer etc.
Prefer it to be small nuc sized but cheaper. I will be using it at my parents house on their TV mostly for video watching and occasionally function as a remote desktop. Any suggestions?

 

[wtfh4x]

I don't think there's anything cheaper than a NUC for that kind of size.

 

[hellspawn_one]

well, zotac, gigabyte and asus does have form factor around the size of a nuc. But the pricing is around the price of a nuc also. you pay extra for the form factor.

 

[dryteletubby]

I have used a raspberry pi successfully as a thin for freeRDP and vnc. You can install Kodi for video watching etc.

Heck even an Android TV box can be used as a thin client. Just install the remote desktop apps from the app store to connect to the VMs.
Certain amlogic soc boxes can even run armbian, a Linux distro on a SD card.

If you have to use windows as the base os, then there are plenty of cheap celeron, atom mini pcs form Chinese OEMs on lazada.

 

[yusoffb01]

i recommend z83ii mini pc. has hdmi, usb 3 ports, ethernet, 5Ghz wireless, and less than $110 at lazada. If you want, can also attach external hdd and use it to torrent. power consumption less than 10w

 

[squarepipe]

now I am torn between getting an android tv box or a cheap mini PC. Armbian may steer me towards the android box.

Can the z83ii install linux? 32Gb storage and 2Gb ram running windows can cause cancer.

 

[SGJoe86]

32Gb storage and 2Gb ram running windows can cause cancer.

That's not true. Stick PC running on Atom processor, 2GB RAM, 32GB eMMC memory is capable of running Windows 10 without any issue. Not gonna win any award, but gets the job done. My office is using it for remote terminals, so I access them via RDC, Teamviewer, and UltraVNC.

 

[dryteletubby]

That's not true. Stick PC running on Atom processor, 2GB RAM, 32GB eMMC memory is capable of running Windows 10 without any issue. Not gonna win any award, but gets the job done. My office is using it for remote terminals, so I access them via RDC, Teamviewer, and UltraVNC.

32Gb is too low for a windows PC If you use it as a regular desktop and install some apps, you risk windows refusing to update due to the lack of space.

There are way too many post on the Microsoft forums about those 32Gb laptops having this issue.

 

[msaz]

maybe get asrock deskmini barebone,it is a H110m chipset with onboard wifi. still can fit full desktop socket 1151 cpu with default cooler .sligtly thicker nuc type, onboard graphics ok for youtube and kodi streaming . easily upgradable and maintain. i dust off the interior cpu fans at least once every six months . very quiet .

 

[squarepipe]

Any suggestions for a small as possible form factor mini PC with usb and network ports and also fanless?

 

[alex22]

Why not buy a celeron laptop with a hdd and use that...
Around 400 for a new lenovo in qoo10

 

[yusoffb01]

Any suggestions for a small as possible form factor mini PC with usb and network ports and also fanless?

If you need 4GB ram, the z83 pc with 4GB ram cost $170

search for gemini lake in lazada. 4GB Ram 64GB emmc cost around $210 before discount. Not that much faster than z8350 but can play hevc 10bit. Comes with 4GB ram

If you want a mini PC with a more powerful processor, search for j5005, costs $359 (8GB LPDDR4 128GB SSD). Acer also sell with 4GB 1TB option for $448.

For something equivalent to i5 desktop processor that sips power (15w), search for i5-8265U in aliexpress. it is 4c 8t and very close to i7 desktop performance from Sandy bridge era.

 

[dryteletubby]

Any suggestions for a small as possible form factor mini PC with usb and network ports and also fanless?

https://www.lattepanda.com

 

[melvinch]

I want a thin client that connects back to my windows and linux VMs via VNC or RDP/ chrome remote desktop ,team viewer etc.
Prefer it to be small nuc sized but cheaper. I will be using it at my parents house on their TV mostly for video watching and occasionally function as a remote desktop. Any suggestions?

Just buy a cheap $70 Android TV box from Aliexpress and install VNC Viewer for Android, but don't expect smooth video playback as remote desktop isn't designed for media in mind.

 

[squarepipe]

Just buy a cheap $70 Android TV box from Aliexpress and install VNC Viewer for Android, but don't expect smooth video playback as remote desktop isn't designed for media in mind.

That's what I did

Some pros recommend to install Armbian Linux on the TV box for full Linux experience but I have yet to do do that.