Key Takeaways
– NovaCustom’s NUC Box mini PC is designed for open-source tech enthusiasts, focusing on privacy.
– The mini PC features Intel’s Meteor Lake technology and powerful processors, including the Intel Core Ultra 7 155H.
– It has a compact design (117.5 x 110 x 49 mm) but lacks space for dedicated graphics cards, relying on integrated GPUs.
– Users can easily upgrade memory and storage with multiple options, and it includes a coreboot-based Dasharo open-source BIOS.
– The starting price is $970 (€830), with reasonable upgrade costs and support for advanced wireless connectivity options.
Hardware buying has long been a challenging task for many who love open-source tech. NovaCustom seems to have recognized this struggle, providing a range of hardware focused on privacy. Their newest offering, the NUC Box mini PC, features Intel’s Meteor Lake technology along with open-source firmware.
Compact Design with Powerful Performance
The NovaCustom NUC Box is a remarkably small mini PC, measuring only 117.5 x 110 x 49 mm. It is powered by Intel’s Meteor Lake CPUs, including the impressive Intel Core Ultra 7 155H, a 16-core processor, and can be equipped with as much as 96 GB of DDR5-5600 RAM. However, this small form factor comes with a significant drawback—there’s no space for dedicated graphics cards, meaning users have to make do with the 7- or 8-core integrated Arc GPUs.
Upgradeable Storage and Memory
Both memory and storage can easily be upgraded, thanks to the inclusion of dual SODIMM slots and M.2 2280, M.2 2242, and 2.5-inch storage options. Notably, the mini PC’s standout feature is its coreboot-based Dasharo open-source BIOS, which emphasizes a privacy-centric approach. The selection of ports is also quite generous:
For wireless connectivity, the device supports WiFi 6E and Bluetooth 5.3, with options for WiFi 7 and Bluetooth 5.4 as an additional paid upgrade. The pricing for this mini PC has been disclosed, starting at $970 (€830) for the model with the Core Ultra 5 125H CPU, along with 8 GB of single-channel memory and a 250 GB SSD. Fortunately, the upgrade prices are quite reasonable.
Conclusion
NovaCustom has made strides in addressing the hardware needs of open-source fans, and their latest mini PC reflects that effort. With its compact design, privacy-focused features, and upgradeable options, the NUC Box stands out as an appealing choice in the market.
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