4 Linux Based Mini PC You Can Buy In 2015
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![](http://itsfoss.itsfoss.netdna-cdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/03/Linux_Based_Mini_PC.jpg)

Mini PCs, in my opinion, will takeover the traditional desktop computers in near future. Traditional desktop has a bulky CPU which takes a lot of space with its fan running like a blower. The mini PCs, on the other hand, are tiny and compact. With hardly 4″ or 5″ in size, they can be easily placed on a table.

Moreover, these mini PCs are fanless which is an added virtue. Of course, you can buy fanless regular desktops but the space consumption is still an issue. Personally, I find the mini PC cute in looks. If you are not a gamer and thinking of buying a new desktop PC, I’ll highly recommend you to **buy a Linux based mini PC**.

If you go by my recommendation and consider buying it, you might wonder what options do you have. Worry not. In this post we shall see four **Linux based Mini PC that you can buy in 2015**.

### Linux based mini PCs ###

Please do note that some of these gadgets might not be available to order just yet. Some of these have been just announced and will be released to public in near future.

#### 1. Meerkat by System76 ####

![](http://itsfoss.itsfoss.netdna-cdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/03/system76-meerkat.jpg)

[System76][1] is a computer manufacturer exclusively dealing with only Ubuntu based desktop, laptops and servers. [System76 announced an Ubuntu based mini PC Meerkat][2] last week. Let’s take a quick look at its specification:

**Specification**

- Intel 5th Generation processors, available options i3-5010U and i5-5250U
- up to 2 TB of storage (M.2 SATA SSD)
- 16 GB DDR3 RAM
- Graphics Intel HD 5500 and Intel HD 6000 for i3 and i5 respectively
- 4″ x 4″ in size
- WiFi
- 1 Gb NIC
- 2 USB 3.0 ports

**Price**

In the range of $500 (yet to be confirmed).

**Availability**

US release by the end of March 2015.

#### 2. Mintbox Mini by Compulab ####

![](http://itsfoss.itsfoss.netdna-cdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/01/mintbox-mini.jpeg)

[Compulab][3] shrunk its flagship Linux Mint based PC devices, Mintbox into [Mintbox Mini][4]. The compact version is around 4″ in size. More details are as following:

**Specifications**

- AMD A4-6400T processor
- Radeon R3 graphics processor
- 4 GB RAM
- 64 GB SSD
- 2 USB 3.0 ports, 3 USB 2.0 ports
- 2 HDMI out ports
- 802.11 b/g/n Wifi
- Gigabit Ethernet
- MicroSD reader

**Price**

Staring around $300

**Availability**

Second quarter of 2015

#### 3. Utilite2 by Compulab ####

![](http://itsfoss.itsfoss.netdna-cdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/03/Utilite2-ARM-PC.jpg)

It’s not that Compulab has stuck with Linux Mint only. It announced an ARM desktop PC running Ubuntu in last December. With a size of 3.4″x2.3″, [Utilite2][5] has modest feature and modest price.

**Specifications**

- Qualcomm Snapdragon 600 (APQ8064) quad-core CPU 1.7GHz
- 2GB RAM, eMMC with optional 32 GB mSATA storage
- Graphics with Qualcomm Adreno™ GPU
- 1080p video playback and capture
- Dual-antenna WiFi 802.11 and Bluetooth 4.0
- Gigabit Ethernet, 4x USB2, USB OTG
- Cellular modem support

**Price**

$192 for regular model, $229 with SSD storage. Shipping charges extra.

**Availability**

Available to purchase now. It will take four weeks in shipping.

#### Penguin Pocket Wee by Think Penguin ####

![](http://itsfoss.itsfoss.netdna-cdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/03/Think_Penguin_Pocket_Wee.jpeg)

[Think Penguin][6] is a Open Source focused hardware manufacturer. In the mini PC category, it has [Penguin Pocket Wee][7] to offer. With 4.6″x 4.4″x 1.4″ in size, Penguin Pocket Wee provides a number of configuration to you. You can choose between the processors, storage, network adapters and what not. You can choose to buy it pre-installed with your favorite Linux distribution, default OS is Ubuntu.

The general configuration is as following:

- Intel Core i3 or i5 processor with support for up to 1080p HD video
- Expandable up to 16GB of DDR3 RAM
- Intel HD graphics
- Wireless N
- Up to 250GB of SSD
- 4 USB 3.0
- Intel 10/100/1000 Gigabit Ethernet Controller

**Price**

Basic model starts at $499 and it can go up to $1000 based on the configuration you select.

**Availability**

Available to order now. There are offices in UK and USA so it should be shipping to North America and Europe.

### What’s your pick? ###

I have deliberately not included [Raspberry Pi 2][8] or other Linux microcomputer such as [Intel’s Compute Stick][9]. The reason is that I do not think that micro-computers fall in the same categories as mini PCs.

What do you think? Are you tempted to replace your desktop with a mini PC? Is there another player which I missed in this list of **best Linux based mini PCs**? Do share your views.

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作者：[Abhishek][a]
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[a]:http://itsfoss.com/author/abhishek/
[1]:https://system76.com/
[2]:http://itsfoss.com/system76-unveils-ubuntu-based-mini-pc-meerkat/
[3]:http://www.compulab.co.il/
[4]:http://itsfoss.com/mintbox-mini-compact-linux-mint-powered-pc-unveiled/
[5]:http://www.compulab.co.il/utilite-computer/web/utilite2-overview
[6]:https://www.thinkpenguin.com/
[7]:https://www.thinkpenguin.com/gnu-linux/penguin-pocket-wee-gnu-linux-desktop
[8]:http://itsfoss.com/raspberry-pi-2-specs/
[9]:http://itsfoss.com/intels-compute-stick/