Re: [tlug] Looking for small form-factor desktop or inexpensive laptop

[CL <az.4tlug@example.com>]

    The last time I was in Tsukumo, there were several barebones NUC and
    mini desktop DIY sets that would take either Intel or AMD Ryzen
    CPUs, DDR4 SO-DIMM memory, and up to two SSDs.  Boxes are fanless
    and can be configured as WiFi or ethernet.  The non-NUC boxes were
    manufactured by a major manufacturer whose name escapes me right
    now.  As I recall, the bare bones AMD kits were significantly
    cheaper than the NUC kits -- circa 16,000円 plus the cost of CPU,
    memory, SSDs, and the optional WiFi board.  
    
    CONFUSING DIRECTIONS:  They were in the "first floor" of the Tsukumo
    that is a couple of streets directly behind the old Llaox -- between
    that main road and the overhead rail tracks.  If you turn at the
    first road parallel to Chuo-dori, the Tsukumo entrance in front of
    the traditional Japanese restaurant (about 30 meters before you hit
    the road under the tracks with the pachinko parlor on the corner)
    takes you into Tsukumo's parts center with all of the memory, HDD,
    SSD, CD/DVD players.  If you walk to the back of that floor, there
    is a half-level stairway that takes you down to a floor with
    keyboards, kits and cases (take the stairs into the level you can
    see and not the hard right turn to the basement shop).  The back
    wall of that level is the CPU sales desk.  The units I am talking
    about were on the aisle across from the elevator.  You can enter
    this floor directly if you turn right at the road just before Tskumo
    and enter through the fancy entrance on that street.
    
    In the past, I have used an Atom-powered HP mini running their
    versions of WIN XP and WIN 7 bought from a business that was
    downsizing its office for around 8000円.  It was especially
    convenient because it could be mounted to the back of my monitor. 
    It ran a form of Ubuntu pretty well.  There are newer versions of
    that box.  I used to see new and used versions at a couple of the
    shops across from T-Zone's "back" entrance (the road that ends at
    the new bank building and has -- or used to have -- a sporting goods
    store on one corner).
    
    I also have a Rasberry Pi 3 which I've never progressed beyond toy
    value with but it would make a very useful desktop if you could use
    a wireless keyboard and mouse.  Don't ask what happens when all you
    have handy is a 3-meter HDMI cable and one of those unbreakable
    early IBM keyboards that can be used to stop bullets and pound
    nails.
    
    CL

On 2019-12-20 19:47, Joe Larabell wrote:

I recall this being asked in the past but: (a) things change, (b) I didn't save the previous emails, and (c) I can't find the archive search button or it has disappeared. Anyway...

I'm in the market for a somewhat more recent Linux machine, mostly for desktop use, but space is at a premium. A small form-factor box like a NUC would be OK... as would a laptop that can be docked to a regular screen and keyboard. I'm wondering if anyone has one they would like to get rid of (not junk... but I don't need a whiz-bang gaming machine, either). Lacking that, I'm wondering if there are any brick-and-mortar stores in Tokyo any more that sell laptops or small desktops that don't come preloaded with Windoze. Lacking that, any recommendations for something I might be able to get from Amazon JP. Thanks...

--

Joe Larabell (joe@example.com)