Ubuntu Core is a stripped down version of Canonical’s popular Ubuntu Linux operating system, designed to run on low-power computers like the Raspberry Pi 2, Beaglebone, Gumstix, ODroid-C1, and others.
Now Canonical has announced that Ubuntu Core also supports the Intel NUC DE3815TY mini-computer.
That’s one of cheapest members of the Intel NUC line of mini-desktops. It measures about 7.5″ x 4.6″ x 1.6″ and currently sells for around $134 to $143.
The little computer features a 1.46 GHz Intel Atom E3815 single-core processor, a USB 3.0 port, two USB 2.0 ports, HDMI and VGA ports, 4GB of built-in eMMC storage, and a 2.5 inch drive bay, 1066 MHz DDR3L memory slot, and PCIe minicard slot for expansion.
It’s not really designed to replace your desktop computer. But the fanless mini-PC could drive a commercial digital signage or point-of-sales system. Or you could use it as a platform for designing and testing software for other low-cost, low-power devices with Intel processors.
A key selling point for running Ubuntu on this type of device is that it allows developers to use existing applications without re-compiling them for ARM or MIPS architecture.
Or you could just buy a more expensive NUC with a higher-performance processor that is designed to work as a desktop computer.
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5 Comments on "Ubuntu Core now supports Intel’s $150 (or less) NUC mini computer"
Not sure what this box is supposed to do well or inexpensively. I know what the $40 ODROID C2 is supposed to do. I hope the C2 gets good regular Ubuntu support (don’t need “Ubuntu Core”).
Well, mostly, have an x86 cpu. I don’t mind running Debian/Ubuntu on little ARM dev boards, but it is nicer to have Intel Inside – more packages just work, with fewer weird dependency problems.
Intel Linux support is excellent, but that is no big surprise when they keep selling 5 year old tech. I would much rather have hdmi 2.0 & h265 than usb 3.0 & pcie mini card. I can’t believe all the ICs and passive components on their board. Innovation is truly dead at Inhell.
ok
What’s Ubuntu Core? How is it a stripped down version of Ubuntu especially when compared to a minimal Ubuntu Server install? The information from my quick Google search are pretty vague. Something about Ubuntu Core and Ubuntu are completely different (like Ubuntu vs Fedora). There’s this Snappy package/app system that’s neither .deb nor .rpm based. What’s the intent of Ubuntu Core?