Fanless mini PC to run Linux

[Mick Bailey]

I currently run a really old laptop using Xubuntu/Kodi for general video streaming - watching Youtube etc on the TV. It's fine, despite only having 2gb ram and a 120gb SSD. The fan noise is annoying, though. So I'm thinking of replacing it with a fanless brick. I'm looking for something inexpensive - maybe something bare that I can use the brand-new SSD that I have and which I can populate with my own memory. Any suggestions?

[R.G.]

A Raspberry Pi will do the job. I have a friend that uses a Pi 3B for similar things. A Pi is US$35 - $50 depending on which version you get, and is about as bare as they come.

[Mick Bailey]

Thanks for the tip - I never thought that a Raspberry Pi would do the job and it looks to be perfect. Even a Pi 4 kit with dedicated remote still comes in at a reasonable price (well, reasonable for the UK - probably much cheaper in the USA) The 3B is even better value. Now the dilemma is which version to choose.

[Mick Bailey]

Just placed an order for a Pi4 with 4Gb, PSU, FLIRC case and 32Gb micro SD with preinstalled NOOBS software.

EDIT: Everything turned up today. Really impressed with how it works and streaming 720P results in just 5% max processor utilization.

[big_teee]

Just placed an order for a Pi4 with 4Gb, PSU, FLIRC case and 32Gb micro SD with preinstalled NOOBS software.

EDIT: Everything turned up today. Really impressed with how it works and streaming 720P results in just 5% max processor utilization.

Sounds Great!
We need pictures!
T