Intel NUC with pre-installed Windows 10

Bmann999 on 24/04/2017 - 14:02

I am interested in purchasing an Intel NUC as my home PC to replace an 8 year old laptop that is falling apart.

I was wondering for some feedback on the BOXNUC5PGYH0AJ unit that comes pre-installed with Windows 10.
https://www.kogan.com/au/buy/intel-nuc-mini-pc-pentium-n3700…

I was planning on buying a ~ 27 inch monitor like this one and mounting it to the back with a VESA mount:
http://www.harveynorman.com.au/computers-tablets/computers/m…

I really only need the PC for browsing, MS Office, and some light video editing from my GoPro.

I know that this NUC only has a Pentium N3700, but the $299 price tag (including Windows 10) seems hard to beat.

Do you think that this NUC would be powerful enough to be a reasonable home PC for me? I want to keep my study clutter free, so I am not interested in purchasing a tower. The NUC option seems much cheaper and flexible than purchasing an all-in-one unit.

Computing

Comments

  • nephilim on 24/04/2017 - 14:30

    Its good but you would need to buy a SSD/HDD, 32GB Flash drive is what Win10 is installed on.
    Maybe a ozbargain user can hook you up cheap in classified section with a old SSD.

  • CLoSeR on 24/04/2017 - 14:54

    First thoughts is the NUC will struggle with video editing; I've done no research though.

  • scrimshaw on 24/04/2017 - 15:18
    +3

    Buying a monitor from Harvey Norman? Please hand in your Ozbargain membership.

    Use Static Ice to search for best prices. a 27" LCD from MSY is a lot cheaper.
    http://www.staticice.com.au/cgi-bin/search.cgi?q=27%22%20mon…

  • derek324 on 24/04/2017 - 16:22
    +1

    NUC5PGYH will perform well in the tasks you described. Of course there are many other models in NUC family, and if you want to spend more, you can keep increasing speed/performance in steps by buying higher and higher specified models… for more and more money.

    You do not need to buy SSD/HDD immediately. The NUC5PGYH has soldered 32 GB eMMC storage drive on the mainboard; around 20GB is used by hidden partition and Windows 10 installation, that still leaves a bit of room for a few basic installations. Yes, it makes sense to add a HDD/SSD, but initially you can just keep using external USB 3.0 flash drives (or even SD memory cards). My only concern is small amount of RAM, only 2GB RAM. This is just sufficient for what you want to use the NUC for, but just. Sweet spot for this machine is 4GB (but RAM can not be added, there is only one slot, it would have to be replaced with one max. 8GB module).

    The NUC5PGYH is a prebuilt version of the NUC5PPYH with soldered 32 GB eMMC, one 2GB RAM module and installed Win 10 home. It is indeed excellent value for money. But check current prices and compare it carefully with the following option:

    NUC5PPYH (thus the same hardware base), add 4GB RAM, add a 64GB SSD drive and buy a Windows license. I did not compare the prices, but depending on your finances and plans what and when you want to expand, it may be a better proposition. BTW, adding or removing of internal components to a NUC (any model) is very easy, and there are many "how to" resources on the net. This hardware is very popular.

    Of course as I mentioned before you may also opt for a more powerful NUC, or a conceptually identical solution from another manufacturer: Gigabyte BRIX, MSI Cubi 2, ASRock Beebox (Beebox is also excellent value), etc.

    Hope this helps a bit.

    • Bmann999 on 24/04/2017 - 22:13

      Thanks for the very detailed response. The main issue regarding price is the Windows 10 license. It's $170 for a legit license in AUS - this makes the pre-installed version very attractive. I can't imagine the manufacturer paying much more than $30 for each license.

      • derek324 on 24/04/2017 - 23:16

        You can buy Windows licence for less than you mentioned the manufacturers pay, download Win 10 ISO from Microsoft and officially activate it. Works, official, cheap. Sorry to be vague, Google it.

        • Bmann999 on 25/04/2017 - 09:09

          That's awesome! Definitely makes a DIY model much more attractive

  • scrimshaw on 24/04/2017 - 17:27

    There's a Lenovo M700 Tiny with Core i3 6100T from SSE for $599. Includes Operating system. Ready to deploy with no extra parts required.
    http://www.shoppingexpress.com.au/buy/lenovo-m700-tiny-i3-61…?

    The 6100T is an actual desktop processor and as such, is quite a bit more powerful than a NUC.

  • bradsmrbetty on 25/04/2017 - 08:59

    I have a the Gigabyte BRIX J1900 bought it years ago.
    It came with a Visa mount and a wireless card which at the time the Intel NUC didn't.

    I paid around $165 shipped, I had to spend $50 on RAM and used an old SSD.

    Over the years it has been a DOMAIN Controller for my Windows Server 2012 box, Hosted the IP camera software with Windows 8.1. For memory I am using it as a guest computer with Linux OS and it has been working great.

    Performance wise with an SSD I don't have any issues opening programs etc.

    If you are into building it yourself it can be far cheaper.

  • joedotnot on 30/06/2017 - 02:37

    Do yourself a favor and buy a NUC… i am onto my third one, just bought a 7th gen i5 (with 32GB RAM :-)). Previously i bought a 5th gen i5, and 6th gen i5. No complains, i keep them both on all the time running headless.

Login or Join to leave a comment
Login Join