A Linux Mini PC Prototype -I Need Your Feedback!

[@ElevatedSystems]

DreamQuest got back to me. They are getting rid of the fingerprint reader and removing mention of it from all system specs and marketing materials. They may revisit it later if they can source a linux compatible device.

[@espertalhao041]

Hopefully they upgrade the wifi card as well.

[@true911m]

Yes they just saved the cost of the reader, so they should.

[@ranjitmandal1612]

😢

[@jonlittle5032]

I have been looking for an entry level no nonsense Linux box and this sounds like it deserves attention. Thanks.

[@jonlittle5032]

Ah, no. Their US support number is a +86 number - China.

[@espertalhao041]

Here's my list of things to change: - Skip the fingerprint sensor - Upgrade the wifi card - Using the money saved from not buying Windows licenses, upgrade the SSD to a quality one - Better cooling

[@lr7974]

Anything that is marketed as a linux pc but includes any hardware that doesn't have mainline kernel support is a big annoyance imho. Its like getting a sliver in your finger you can't get out. Definitely ditch the fingerprint reader if it doesn't have support and everything said above.

[@espertalhao041]

@@lr7974 It totally is. I absolutely agree with you and everybody that suggested the same before me.

[@spinkey4842]

this

[@ranjitmandal1612]

😶

[@mvz]

My parents do almost all their computer work in a browser so an out of the box Linux machine like this would be just fine for their demographic. A huge majority of people will never need to go much outside of the browser and Home folder. Love to see manufacturers trying this.

[@dragonballjiujitsu]

- Skip the fingerprint sensor - Upgrade the wifi card - Install a decent Linux distro. Mint or Zorin are the only two I'd recommend at the moment.

[@ExeOnInfinite]

Why not Ubuntu? Currently using it and its great. I'm new to Linux.

[@dragonballjiujitsu]

@@ExeOnInfinite I stopped being a fan of Ubuntu a few versions back when they started really pushing snaps. Also I have found the last few versions to be very unstable for me. Its fine until I start installing software then it breaks or has random freezes. I don't have any of those issues with Mint or Zorin.

[@ExeOnInfinite]

@dragonballjiujitsu That's good to know. I've heard really good stuff about Mint, specially when you come from Windows. May try it soon on a different PC.

[@willmorrison1022]

@@ExeOnInfinite I used mint for several years, and it was solid as a rock for me. I am using Ubuntu studio on my main machine and AV Linux on my audio/video machine. They have all treated me really well. By all means, give mint a try. Just be sure and back up your data first. Then, have at it and have fun!

[@confusedsperm-tcp]

I'd skip Mint just coz it still sucks on Wayland!

[@lonniewatson9109]

I would agree with the assessment of ditch9ng the fingerprint reader and update the WIFI card...

[@erickdomingo6579]

Yes. Desiring more features means more system instructions. More means bloat. Focus on basic functions and the rest should be optional install, yet the hardware should be ready for these features regardless of OS

[@ranjitmandal1612]

😶

[@bobnelsonfr]

I'm running a Beelink Ryzen 7 5800H mini with Mint (after trying a couple other distros). I paid about $300. I fully agree that a mini with a little processor is a good solution.

[@arthurjones4847]

Mini’s forum works as well.

[@mllarson]

I personally like the fingerprint reader and use it all the time on my Framework laptop. I can see the reader being useful in a corporate environment where you (as an IT worker) are trying to authorize/authenticate something on an end-user's desktop without having to type in your password with several pairs of eyes watching. Obviously for a home user it isn't quite an issue, but if the reader is there then there should be a linux driver for it.

[@giancarlolugo7048]

I have a Framework. Every time I enable the fingerprint reader on Linux, login into desktop is perfect. However I have issues with the “Keyring” and haven’t found a solution for it. With the fingerprint sensor disabled, I login with password and all apps work fine. When it is enabled, some apps ask for password again after logging in and every time I open the same apps. Wonder if you can guide me to a tutorial page.

[@mllarson]

@@giancarlolugo7048 Are talking about the message that pops up about failing to unlock the keyring? From what I just researched, certain apps are trying to access your keyring which is encrypted with a password (otherwise it would be readable by other users) so that it can save your users/passwords for sites you visit. Since your fingerprint isn't a password it doesn't get unlocked. The solution is to either enter your password, or go to the keyring utility ("Passwords and Keys" on Ubuntu) and set the password for your default keyring to blank (do at your own peril).

[@sudge64]

Long time watcher, first time commenter here! 4:01 Ubuntu is not my *favorite* distro, but it is the best choice for being preinstalled. Mainly due to the fact that most guides that a newbie would need are written for it and *basically* all software is available for it. This in addition to the ease of use for new users. 7:30 I'm assuming that the main audience for the mini pc are non tech-savvy parents and Linux nerds. For parents that are going to have this thing sit in a corner for web browsing and email checking, I wouldn't think that the finger print reader is a necessary inclusion. So, it's something that I would leave off the bill of materials. 10:36 I'm not a big user of Bluetooth, but if they want to have it on board, it needs to be somewhat modern. 11:28 It's not needed (and I don't know off the top of my head if the N100 supports it), but I would like to see a builtin 2.5G ethernet jack. It doesn't have to be both of the network ports, just one. 12:12 I would add a better SSD. Not a top of the line one, just one a touch more robust. I'm looking at this from the perspective of giving something to non tech-savvy family members. The choice of a more robust wireless card and SSD (potentially offset by removing the finger print reader) means less of a chance that something breaks/goes wrong and I'm not called an hour up the road to fix something that could have been avoided. Everything else about the mini pc is perfect for what it is!

[@laletemanolete]

I don't even use a fingerprint reader on my laptop.

[@oscarfiala2104]

I disagree with your sentiment. I would really like to see better fingerprint reeder support on Linux. I’ve gotten used to the fact that my PC’s fingerprint reader doesn’t work. (Linux is just better for a 8GB laptop.) But having a good fingerprint reader would be awesome.

[@typingcat]

I used to use the fingerprint sensor use to login on my Samsung laptop. But Samsung don't release Linux driver for the fingerprint , so it doesn't work now. But I really do wish it worked on Linux. It would be even more useful on Linux, because it would save me from typing the sudo password every single time.

[@ranjitmandal1612]

😶

[@mechanicalmonk2020]

I would if it worked

[@Winnetou17]

Well, to balance a bit the comments above ... I wouldn't use a fingerprint reader on my laptop either. Currently don't have one, as my current laptop is old (8 years), but my next one which I'll get soon I know I won't use it. I just don't like the idea of it. Even if it's fully secure and local, I still don't like the idea.

[@silurust]

Being a user of Linux on an N100 mini PC, i agree it would be more convenient to have Linux preinstalled, especially for beginners. However, even with that, most pro users would start with the installation of their favorite distro. But at least it would be a guarantee for compatibility. A higher target could be an OS installation selector. At first switch on, select the OS to install. :)

[@NewLifestyleMentor]

As nice as it would be to have a FP reader, I’d ditch it to keep the price of the PC down to budget pricing levels. To have one that works under Linux, it might take a more expensive module for the FP reader to work under Linux. I also agree that an AX210 BT/wifi adapter would be better (and the price shouldn’t be that significant).

[@lukasheiligenbrunner2272]

Great to see a Linux mini PC. I think the fingerprint reader doesn't really matter if it works or not.

[@stephentsatchell3306]

My only comment regarding the fingerprint reader is that some yokels in the security community feel that you need a biometric input for passkeys. If the industry ever gets their act together on this broken two-year-old technology, having the fingerprint reader might be useful. MIGHT. For now, I'd recommend ditching the fingerprint reader, finding a compatible driver, or look for a Linux-supported reader. FWIW.

[@Winnetou17]

What do you mean "broken two-year-old technology" ? Genuinely curious, as I don't use fingerprint readers (well, my current laptop doesn't have one, as it predates the trend, but even if it had one, I wouldn't use it. I just don't like the idea)

[@themenon]

Defenitely need a better wifi based on experience. Fingerprint reader is not an essential really. They can even think of thowing in a N150 rather than N100 at the same price as these are making appearances on Amazon (at the same price as of other N100 MiniPCs) I would suggest DreamQuest to use PopOS for the experience it provides out of the box, but the latest Ubuntu LTS is a good choice given the stability it offers. One area where DreamQuest can *really* shine in the Linux MiniPC segement is by providing latest firmware patches so that BIOS / UEFI is always up to date. This is one reason I still use my old thinkpad with PopOS as the OS can automatically update to new firmware whenever a new vesion is available. I still get updated firmware once or twice a year for a ThinkPad from 2017.

[@tschorsch]

Depending on the use case, a fingerprint reader can be a nice feature. If the system is in a place where there's a bunch of other people and the system needs to be locked when you're not at it, it's nice to not have to always retype your password, especially when it has to be a long one.

[@kesslerdupont6023]

It would be cool to get one in the box that is usb-connected.

[@bigrob029]

As a gamer looking for a cheap, small console form factor, cheap, Linux compatible, mini PC that's cheap.... this one certainly caught my eye. Honestly, if the led/rgb ring around the power button was a little more robust, that would be more interesting than the fingerprint reader. Looks like it could work as a tiny Batocera Box for retro gaming that would look good under a tv.

[@kadupse]

2:00 for modern systems a lack of DRAM cache on a PCIe SSD is no longer a concern, your CPU will use RAM as a cache in a surprisingly fast and efficient manner to help the controller when writing data.

[@bluminonyon]

I'd encourage DreamQuest to have conversations with other Linux distros, particularly the Bluefin project and Fedora. While Ubuntu may be the biggest and most well known distro currently, I think Bluefin, Fedora, and Linux Mint are arguably more beginner-friendly and certainly better entry points to the broader Linux ecosystem. I don't think a fingerprint reader is really necessary on a desktop PC. They are probably better off just ditching it.

[@brianwalker859]

If support weren't an issue I would suggest an XFCE focused distribution with a visually pleasing Windows 10 layout. That would get the customer something recognizable and long-lasting performance. With support in mind, and considering this thing is performant enough at the moment, I would still go for something that looks like Windows though I can't at the moment think of any corporate backed distro with such a look. Except Zorin maybe?

[@eveypea]

I second the idea of offering Zorin for new Linux users. However, they are a small team and I would also would not want to see them overwhelmed by support requests

[@montenegrofees]

10:29 I would suggest to install alsa or the whole aptx, ldac, lhdc and aac software pack that fedora, ubuntu and for some reason nobara too, forget to ship.

[@leonidas14775]

I didn't notice a kensington lock slot on it. That's important if someone is buying these for a school computer lab. Offer a barebones version with no fingerprint reader, wifi card, or SSD

[@Seikatsu121]

Here to go against the loud few that want a fingerprint sensor: drop the fingerprint sensor. Nobody is even interested in it except maybe 1% of which most won't even know how to properly enable and set it up. Would be a total waste of resources except if it would cost more to manufacture the Linux version without it but if you're going to include it, it should work and be pretty straight forward to set it up. Very cool that you're reading the comments. Not many companies would do that

[@hlomphomota8055]

I would like to know how they plan to make spare parts available and which regions they work in?

[@angelcm156]

Id be curious with mint or pop os, since they're more beginners friendly

[@4ngeldus739]

I'd love to have one strapped to a monitor so that I can use it like an iMac and take it anywhere I need to go. My laptop at the moment is kinda weak and I don't need to to be off the plug much, it would be nice to have a powerful portable PC that's also somewhat modular still. Wish I could afford any kind of upgrade though, a framework laptop would be right up my alley if the funds allowed for it but any mini PC right now would probably be really cool. I even have a tiny monitor with a vesa mount on the back

[@monofurioso]

This is a pretty vanilla hardware offering. What's the use case? Since it is cheap and has dual NICS it could be great for a OPNSense box, or it would be fine for Home Assistant. If we're talking about a general use desktop PC, it's gonna have a super niche audience. If I'm building a Linux PC, I want GPU and CPU power to play games, or be speedy with AI LLMs on Ollama. This won't handle those tasks, and honestly, cheapo low powered linux compatible mini PCs are a dime a dozen. There's a GMKtek, only 1 NIC but with Win 11 Pro 16GB/512GB for $160 after coupon. Guess I don't see much potential here.

[@erickdomingo6579]

Yes. This ain't going to move the needle. Why buy a sub $200 mini PC with Ubuntu when one can get a Dell wyse 5060 or 5070 or HPthin client like t630 or 640 for less than $100 and install whatever distro you want.

[@randomasiankidineuwest]

Maybe make it Ubuntu xfce or kde. Since most of the time people switching from MS to Linux tries to find the similarity to get them started

[@lineax5927]

Looks like the ideal nextcloud device. Slap in a sata as boot and two reliable nvme’s and make them a raidz1 pool in proxmox or unraid.

[@dktol56]

Ditch the fingerprint reader and use the savings toward dual 2.5 GbE Intel I226-V, instead of gigabit ethernet. Then they might capture some additional customers wanting to create a basic pfsense/opnsense/openwrt firewall. Replacing the Realtek wifi with Intel AX210 would be a nice touch for low-end desktop users - not sure what the cost difference would be (AX210 cards are pretty cheap these days). You should test an M.2 A+E key to M.2 M key extender adapter in the wifi slot to see if you can add a 3rd NVMe SSD to the system. They cost like $6 on Amazon, and, because the two PC boards are cabled, you could velcro the SSD to the inside lid.

[@momo1709]

* If the fingerprint reader is included, it needs to work, that goes equally for any other hardware included. I'd just ditch it personally, it makes less sense for a desktop to me. * I think Ubuntu makes sense as a distro choice, but I'd also suggest SUSE as an option too. At the cost of less community support being available, you get an extremely stable operating system with very good rollback options available out of the box. On any system, Windows or Linux, you'll eventually get a bad update that breaks something and the simple rollback via the boot menu is a killer feature, especially for remote support. Throw in yast for administrative GUI's (good for beginner users) and paid support also being available and I think you'd have a solid option there too.

[@bryans8656]

I have a similarly configured GMKtec mini PC. I opted for Linux Mint, and all hardware, including my networked HP printer, were immediately recognized. My understanding is that Mint has Ubuntu roots, so I'm not surprised. It doesn't have a fingerprint reader, and I haven't missed it (none of my desktops have ever had one).

[@guilherme5094]

I would really like to see Fedora running on this machine. With Plasma!

[@nicolascarrion5055]

The N100 not paired with DDR5 is, regarding the GPU not so great to put it on mild terms. I think AMD has Ryzen 3s with better APUs hands down, and the TDP is not that far 15w. Even with DDR5, and I blame youtube for that, 4k and the N100 brings the GPU to the edge.What I look for in a Linux MiniPC, the most distro agnostic as possible and silent (no hair driers please). I found that distros with old kernels (Rocky/Alma) struggle with WiFi chipsets, normally everything else works out of the box. I do not game on MiniPCs, that's what they need to figure out. the market they what to aim for; for a Office work, the N100 would work, but again, AMD has better low powered APUs.

[@nicolascarrion5055]

I forgot to mention, I ditched Microsoft 5 years ago and I do not regret it a single bit, glad to see that hardware manufacturers are interested in hardware support. That is one of the pillars Linux needs to become more mainstream (and I have mixed feelings about that, not sure if that is good or not though). I like the Ubuntu idea, but Mint is a better option for new Linux users moving away from Windows. And I do not think that hardware decisions would affect much, since Mint is based on Ubuntu

[@JS-ri8iu]

happy new year from germany! wehre can i buy that warp core in the background?

[@dave_w8476]

Important to give people a great experience of linux. So yes, upgrade the wifi adapter, upgrade Bluetooth, use branded nvme. Ubuntu a good choice but Mint probably has a more familiar feel if you're moving over from Windows. I value good quality over using cheaper components to meet a price point. Take the Chromebook for example, the market was initially flooded with low grade component laptops. They were made to a low price point and this gave people a poor experience. Let's hope DreamQuest don't follow suit. I'd rather pay $240 for quality but wouldn't purchase at all for a $200 unit that was low grade.

[@JuanCAraujoS]

Having Canonical support might be a good thing, but what abot Linux Mint as the pre-install. Cinnamon is great for those who come from Windows. However, I'm a Fedora guy an I'm sure the community would back this project.

[@ElevatedSystems]

Mint markets and sells their own branded mini PCs so I’m not sure of the legalities of a third party advertising a Linux Mint PC. Same with PopOS. Ubuntu and Debian allows it with some restrictions on use of their copyrighted logos.

[@laletemanolete]

I would ship it with Zorin OS preinstalled. It is Ubuntu based and the GUI is even more friendly for windows migrants.

[@veterantruthtube3298]

i have 2 question for you. 1 does it have intel managment engine? 2. what parts can be replaced like the sd,s? ty

[@steveUSA1]

I'm a little gun shy of running Linux on Intel. I'm currently running the latest versions of Mint on Intel NUC10i3FNK with CometLake-U GT2 graphics, and a NUC7JYB with UHD Graphics 600 on chip. Both of them exhibit intermittent black outs (audio and video) that last a 2 - 10 seconds or so. Looking for a different mini to run Mint.

[@mattkeith530]

Since it's an n100 based system why not use one of the wifi 7 Intel cards?

[@ElevatedSystems]

They are 3x the bulk cost of wifi 6e cards.

[@TheDanEdwards]

So does the world need a dedicated Linux box with slow processors and old-tech? The N100 is not so old but it is bottom of the line, and DDR4 memory is now seeming quite ancient and limited. One can pick up (for free sometimes) PCs being sold/thrown-away by companies, by the millions. Scrounge any Craigslist or Facebook forum and pick up a used PC - it probably can run some version of Linux. If DreamQuest wants to make a splash, go with an ARM processor like the Snapdragon, to compete with the Mac Mini M4.

[@Quest3Games]

Asus used to sell Linux laptops known as Eeepc. Those things just worked out of the box. Don't need to configure anything. And they sold well until Microsoft came in and destroyed Eeepc by putting Windows on it instead. If Dreamquest can do that for their Mini PC, something as easy to setup as a Chromebox and updates are handled behind the scenes by the OS without user intervention, then it could spark some interest among users like me who have given up on Chromebox because the prices have shot up so much that they are dollar for dollar the same as a Windows desktop.

[@jtd8719]

Thanks for the vid, CJ. With W10 going EOL soon, I think that a certain fraction of users will be interested in experimenting with a Linux distro rather than "downgrade" to W11. An inexpensive mini PC that comes with a Linux distro could be helpful to many to make that transition before installing a similar distro on their daily driver PC.

[@angelcm156]

I'm curious to make a SFF Linux pc, as an artist and seeing how the gaming industry is right now, MP games are not that interesting so this is quite interesting

[@James_T_Quirk]

I still use a older HP DV6 (15 years old) with Fingerprint Scanner, with Ubuntu, my only issue is I7 heat, has worked for so long, I do not remember if OS or I installed driver ....

[@willmorrison1022]

I like your suggestions. I never use something like the fingerprint reader on my computers, only on the phone, and upgrade the wireless to something at least current. Where something like this would be really useful for someone like me would be in making remote recordings, assuming that it treats multiple channel (16+) audio interfaces well. My current tower machine doesn't, and it's only got 4 cores as well. But this little cute, a mouse, keyboard and small monitor, could be a nice compact recording device for remote recording sessions. The big issue is if it can record multiple channels without those blasted xruns! Cute little machine, nice to see people actually getting into linux. I've been using it since the early 1990's, and it's come a LONG way. Not as exciting, since you can't blow up your monitor by putting in the wrong scan frequencies, anymore, but I guess you have to give up some things as you get older.

[@Practical-IT]

Interesting little box. I'd be interested in seeing it run Bazite Linux or one of the other distros that is similar to SteamOS to see if it's suitable for light gaming on Linux for something in the realm of Vampire Survivors. I generally go for Ryzen based systems, but this is a good price point.

[@beingsneaky]

N100?? Why not the n150? I would prefer the 159.

[@wagnonforcolorado]

If this mini had dual Intel LAN, I would look at this as a potential PFSense router option. I'd like to see a barebones option, as well. Fingerprint readers are cool, but I suspect most users don't use them. Ubuntu is a good Linux option. Those who prefer a different distro are going to install what they want.

[@ErikBod]

Fingerprint reader is YES

[@peppergrayxyz]

coreboot?

[@baccusx13]

I have to agree to with everyone here about the fingerprint reader: not necessary and/or don't care that much. That being said, my guess about the Distro who should be most likely support it is probably the one based on Red Hat so you guessed it... the good old my'lady meme worthy Fedora! ;) oh and happy new year btw!

[@ZaberfangX]

I would use fingerprint as can be use for other things other then logging in to the desktop.

[@JuanGarcia-lh1gv]

Even though Ubuntu is well known in the Linux community and fairly easy to install and use, I think something like Zorin OS might be more user friendly for Windows and Mac users. If they plan on using Zorin, I would definitely contact the developers and work with them to provide the best experience. I'm sure they'd be happy to help. I also like Manjaro, Kubuntu, Fedora and Ultramarine Linux.

[@donnajones9854]

As a longtime Mac user, looking to try Linux, I'm interested in using Elementary OS, an offshoot of Ubuntu, for its similar look to macOS.

[@dimlylitcorners]

- Skip the fingerprint reader - Upgrade the wifi card (wifi 6e or 7) - Upgrade the Ethernet to at least 2.5Gbps - Maybe be a little less Linux-only? Make it a Linux/FOSS mini PC which can also run eg: FreeBSD, Haiku, & OpenIndIana

[@y_knot_tri]

Who are they marketing it to?

[@jeffreydurham2566]

Looks nice for the price, especially if they take your advice for hardware improvements. For the things I tend to do on a PC, I'm looking forward to mini PCs with AMD Strix Halo APUs in them.

[@tonywalker8030]

What about open bsd ? It's the most secure and lightest operating system around.

[@arthurjones4847]

Excellent review, thanks. I use Minis forum, with issues. The price and few issues makes that attractive.

[@harrkev]

DDR5 would improve performance. But I have a very similar machine that I pressed into server duties. Add a real hard drive and proxmox and you have a small computer that can run WireGuard, IIAB, and OpenMediaVault.

[@MarkDavidMcCoskey]

I'm an EndeavourOS Cinnamon desktop user. This runs great on my Intel N5030 and N6000 6W 4C/T CPU's, although I prefer running it on the 7W 8C/T i3-N300 CPU. I have no interest in the biometric reader. Would love for one of the Ethernet ports to be 2.5GB or greater. Love the 2.5-inch SSD port, as well as the 2nd NVMe port. Fanless/heatsink/silent would be preferred. These small desktops should be the default purchase for the vast majority of users.

[@madbradfreeman]

I use the fingerprint reader on my Framework laptop all the time, but it's a convenience feature. I haven't even set it up for the rare times when I boot into Windows. Agreed the SSD could be better, as could the wifi.

[@RobertXavier-kl8bj]

PCIe Slot for Full Sized GPU + Power from Mini PC's Mobo.

[@MastermindAtWork]

Trade out the OS with something like Mint or an Ubuntu based distro that has a rolling release kernel so it can have the latest performance and kernel patches.

[@realnamesnotgiven6193]

It seems interesting, I hope it works out

[@ChristianRescue]

I'm probably the customer they are looking for, at least in the retail segment. I will need a new daily personal machine as win10 ends and win11 feels creepy, so I am looking at linux mini pcs. Importantly, I would only buy one that came with the OS preinstalled. This product looks like exactly what I want, except maybe with the n150. The n100/150 is #1 on my list and I hope dreamquest brings one to market.

I have Gygabyte GB-BRi7-8550 and running KDE Neon on it with Windows 10 in dual boot! It works like charm! I would like to see cheaper option like this running in same way.

[@veterantruthtube3298]

i would neber use the finger print.

[@guilherme5094]

Same.

[@zil6470]

❤

[@tellsackett4572]

💙

[@MichaelSaamone]

I put Pop! Os on a Chuwi Lark box X it runs buttery smooth . It's one of the best mini computers on Ali Express .

[@doctorno3912]

This might make for a great little plex box.

[@veterantruthtube3298]

can you do a follow up video if deamquets responds to your video?

[@otisrancko]

Great content... This system should work great for proxmox and other homelab scenarios.....

[@MrPage62]

I agree with those who say Linux Mint would be a better choice. It's more user-friendly than Ubuntu and is indeed similar to the classic Windows experience...

[@JS-wl3gi]

finger printer reader, not really. Reason why I use Linux, stable software over a longer period of time, no activation codes either. Linux hardware is huge now, I am now using a Wacom pen tablet and love it.

[@deechvogt1589]

Linux Mint may be a desktop environment more familiar to user transitioining from Windows.

[@QuantumKurator]

With 2 NICS I always think pfSense. Anybody running a firewall on this thing?

[@ElevatedSystems]

Not on this one but I’m running OPNsense on a dual 2.5gb mini PC.

[@srvuk]

The concept doesn't make sense to me. The N100 is already capable of running Windows, Linux and other OS's perfectly well, so why try to re-invent the wheel. Focus more on how you can maximise what the N100 processor can really do with regards to the I/O. And for the love of god, why oh why do so many vendors and reviewers stop short when calling something USB 3.2, when practically every kind of port that used to be called USB 3 is now 3.2. It is the generation that can make a difference. Gen2 (officially Gen 2x1)10Gbps is a more attractive proposition that Gen1 (Gen 1x1). When it comes to a USB-C port there are additional functions such as video out (which was mentioned here) and power delivery. 2.5Gb ethernet, HDMI 2,1, second NVME M.2 slot support, DDR5, WiFi 6 are some advancements that could be implemented in hardware, even if not fully supported by software/drivers. So keep the fingerprint sensor because tomorrow there is more likely to be driver support. As it stands, this is a decent enough, although in a very crowded market it is on the higher end of the pricing scale. For general Linux support through, any old N100 box will work well enough. A fingerprint reader might be great for anti-theft comfort and peace of mind. So all in all, not necessarily something that makes too much sense, unless you are looking to create the best budget device that does not need bells and whistles for Linux as a prime OS. But hen your target pricing is going to have to be much closer to $100 in the current market.

[@johnstevens8168]

This is a wonderful idea, ditch the fingerprint reader and use a w210 wifi card please. I use Linux Mint Debian Edition.

[@crystallakedood]

I'd prefer the saved money from the Windows key to be used on a better SSD. No excuse for lack of DRAM cache in 2025. I do like the fingerprint sensor though.

[@GeetMadan]

If you take a paid operating system off in favor of Linux, the cost should reflect that too. Think about your audience. They know your margins increase if you ditch windows.

[@ElevatedSystems]

To complete low cost market against Linux and Chrome, Microsoft usually provides no cost Windows licensing to PC manufacturers. MS makes more from scraping your data, than from licensing fees.

[@soucouyant]

Clicked soooo fast !! LETS GOOO !!!🎉🎉🎉

[@ranjitmandal1612]

Definitely agree ditch and upgrade 🙏

[@itsmilan4069]

would have been better if it was n305 instead of n100 and had intel ax210

[@heatedpoolandbar]

I don't care about biometrics, I've known windows to struggle with mixed resolution monitor setups so that isn't a deal breaker. I question the value of this over a used Lenovo Tiny.

[@zezba9000]

Ship Fedora Kinoite distro. Nothing is better for a stable, safe Linux OS distro that can replace Windows for normal users who just do basic stuff.

[@adenansu]

Take out that fingerprint reader, replace with an internal USB-C 3.2 header

[@JamesEzell]

I would rather have the fingerprint reader on a keyboard. To me it would be more useful there.

[@Crackalacking_Z]

What's included must work out of the box, full stop. Personally I see fingerprint readers as a security risk. They are easily duped. I disconnected its ribbon cable in my notebook.

[@rickh8380]

When I move from Windows 10.... I will use Mint. Easy for me to navigate. Works great on my old Acer Laptop from 2013. Don't really like the look of Zorin or Ubuntu.

[@Ray-ds5dc]

I would much rather have a single 2.5Gbps Ethernet port than 2 x 1Gbps ports, as I play Steam games from a family server.

[@richym81]

Are you really shipping a Linux computer if it ships with hardware that doesn't have drivers installed? If I purchased a windows PC that came with hardware that wasn't supported or wasn't installed I would consider that false advertising. If they choose to ship it without full driver support then what are they actually doing? Downloading and preinstalling it for you? What would make it a "Linux PC" would be driver compatibility, actually ensuring your hardware choices are compatible across the board, not preinstalling something that doesn't work 100%.

[@niezzayt3809]

I mean, every single MiniPC on the market can run any Operating System even though it came Pre-instaIIed with Windows. So you can just purge the Windows drive and run Linux, Ubuntu, ChromeOS, etc etc. However the best MiniPC for Linux are the ones with AMD hardware. Simply because AMD drivers availability for Linux are better than Intel.

[@FuzzeeDee]

Ditch the fingerprint reader

[@true911m]

If you're going to compete with gmktec and others you need 2.5Gb ethernet. Not two - the average customer will never use the 2nd.

[@SHO1989]

If this is aimed at new Linux users then they ought to be using Kubuntu, not Ubuntu. KDE desktop is a lot more familiar to Windows users than gnome. I put Kubuntu ony mothers old laptop and I dont think she knew the difference, other than it ran better. Like others said, if someone generally lives in a browser on their desktop, Linux will be fine.

[@Kq4hcuDan]

I can careless about fingerprint reader or the wireless capability i would use a dedicated cat5 cable with ut and keep a couple external hard drives nearby. To me Ubuntu is way to mediocre, and i sus canonical. I run q4os Linux pop os, or other linux desktop would be better. I want to see this run freebsd and haiku OS

[@kenzieduckmoo]

was interested in this till i heard its using the n100. thats too old and low powered to do anything with. even raspberry pi's are past that now.

[@jamesevans2119]

I think $200 is a bad price point to be at right now for the n100 pay less and get a pi5 or a little more and get an something with AMD

[@ElevatedSystems]

It’s available on Amazon at $160 ($200 with -$40 coupon), which is the same price as a pi5 starter kit pro.